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Michael J. Fox<\/a> is opening up about <\/span>the standing ovation he received at the 2024 BAFTA Awards<\/a> in February and why he feels people are so moved and invested in what he represents.<\/span><\/p>\n The actor, activist and philanthropist sat down with ET’s Rachel Smith ahead of this year’s\u00a0<\/span>A Country Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s<\/a> — a musical charity gala benefitting the Michael J. Fox Foundation — held on Tuesday at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s still really surprising,” Fox said of the huge outpouring of love and support he was met with when he <\/span>made a surprise appearance at the ceremony<\/a>, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where he presented the final award of the night for Best Film.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I love it and I appreciate it, but\u00a0I take it more as recognition of determination and resolve to solve the big problem, and that we all have the power to do whatever it is we can do to move things along,” Fox, 62, said of the standing ovation. “I think people are just saying, ‘Thanks for hanging in there and going after this.’ And I appreciate that.”<\/span><\/p>\n Fox explained that he feels he serves as a beacon and symbol for optimism — something expressed through his tireless efforts to combat Parkinson’s disease.<\/span><\/p>\n “That’s what people were responding to at the BAFTAS,” Fox shared. “The issue is that people really want to believe that we can do things, and I think they see me as somebody who’s doing that.”<\/span><\/p>\n During the <\/span>star-studded BAFTAs ceremony<\/a> earlier this year, Fox was introduced by<\/span> Doctor Who<\/span><\/em> alum <\/span>David Tennant<\/a>\u00a0and was escorted to the stage in a wheelchair. He received a standing ovation from the audience as he came out and presented the category while standing at the podium.<\/span><\/p>\n Fox attended the ceremony with <\/span>his wife of 35 years, Tracy Pollan<\/a>, who\u00a0was by his side on Tuesday at the\u00a0A Country Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s gala as well, which featured performances and appearances by Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town and Jason Isbell.<\/span><\/p>\n “The support here is fantastic, and it’s nice to mix things up and go country,” Fox said of the event. “It’s nice to be in Nashville.”<\/span><\/p>\n