What you need to know
Michael J. Fox rose to stardom in the 1980s, first winning hearts with his role as the charming Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties.
Just three years later, in 1985, he achieved icon status as time-traveling teenager Marty McFly in Back to the Future, which launched one of the most beloved trilogies in film history.
More than 40 years after the release of both films, the 64-year-old actor has revealed which props he still owns and which he wishes he had stolen.
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“I had the whale from Family Ties, the whale above the sink, above the stove,” he revealed to Donny Deutsch during a recent onstage discussion about his new book, Future Boy, co-written with Nele Fortenberry.
“The one I photographed was a brass whale,” Fox added. “I didn’t take any valuables with me.”
But when it came to Back to the Future’s iconic red Gibson ES-345, he called himself “stupid” for not getting his hands on one. “I should have brought my guitar,” he said with regret.
Unfortunately, the beloved instrument that Fox used to play “Johnny B. Goode” in Enchantment Under the Sea Dance has reportedly been missing since the end of the film.
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To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, the film’s cast teamed up with Gibson Guitars to track down missing props.
In June 2025, Lea Thompson told PEOPLE that he had little idea where his “incredible” guitar had disappeared.
“I have no idea how (the guitar) slipped through people’s hands,” she said. “I mean, my first thought was, maybe one of the prop masters had it…but then I found out it was very expensive…so it had to go somewhere.”
The 64-year-old actress also revealed that because the cast and crew had no idea how popular the first film would become, very few props were actually assembled, especially since the deal for the sequel had not yet been set.
“People weren’t the kind of people who would take all the props and everything like Star Wars,” she admitted. “All I have is my dress, shoes, and prom jewelry.”
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Gibson Films is also producing a new documentary, Lost to the Future, which follows the worldwide search for McFly’s iconic red ES-345 guitar.
The project features interviews with the cast, creators and musicians inspired by the film and is led by director Doc Crotzer and Gibson’s Mark Agnesi.
Fans can track the search or submit tips at LostToTheFuture.com or by calling 1-855-345-1955.
Mr. Fox’s book, “Future Boy,” was published on October 14th and looks back on his intensive time working on Family Ties and Back to the Future at the same time.
