Michael J Fox, 65, is supported by wife Tracy Pollan and their daughters as he makes a rare red carpet appearance amid Parkinson's battle

Michael J Fox was supported by family as he attended his annual Parkinson’s gala amid his battle with the disease. 

The actor, 65, was joined by wife Tracy Pollan and their daughters Esme, 25, and twins Schuyler and Aquinnah, 31, at the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's Gala at the Waldorf Astoria New York on Saturday night. 

Fox beamed for the cameras during his rare red carpet appearance, for which he opted not to use his wheelchair. He later posed on a chair with other guests. 

Pollan, 66, looked glamorous in a black midi dress, twinning with Schuyler, while Esme donned a drop waist pink gown and Aquinnah sported a purple velvet dress. 

While at the event, Fox was also reunited with his Back To The Future co-star Christopher Lloyd. 

Fox starred in the franchise as Marty McFly, a high schooler whose unlikely friendship with Emmett 'Doc' Brown (Lloyd) leads him to travel back to the 1950s in a time machine made out of an already defunct DMC DeLorean.

Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, founded the Michael J Fox Foundation in 2000 to fund research to find a cure for the disease, which affects the central nervous system and disrupts the body's ability to control movement. 

The foundation has raised more than $3billion since its creation, with Pollan revealing her pride for her husband and the work of the gala on the red carpet. 

She told PEOPLE: 'It's all about the amazing work that the foundation has done. It celebrates everybody who’s worked with us for 20-plus years. 

'Just the huge and amazing amount of money that’s been raised that goes directly into the scientists’ pockets, and they can just do all the work that’s necessary [to finding a cure]. We really are seeing so much progress.' 

Pollan also revealed how her 38-year marriage has thrived despite Fox's health battles.

'I think you just have to do it day by day,' she explained. 'You have to look at what’s in front of you… and you have to stay in the moment — and if the moment is OK, that’s where you are.'

Denis Leary served as host for the gala's 26th year, while attendees were treated to performances by the likes of John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Josh Johnson and Tom Papa. 

Fox, who also shares son Sam, 37, with Pollan, previously spoke of the support his loved ones have given him over the years. 

He said at last year's gala: 'They're so supportive and so great. All these people are friends of mine, family, and it's really great to see them, and I walk on the red carpet surprised to see them, and I think, "Well, why should I be surprised?"

'They've always been there for me, and they continue to be for me, year after year,' he gushed.

Pollan added that their brood is 'just incredibly supportive' of their father. 

She said: 'Michael is so optimistic, which is wonderful and really helps him, but it's really important to also understand that this is a huge challenge. 

'It's very difficult for the family, for the caregivers and, obviously, for the patient. So it's important to acknowledge that and acknowledge that it's not just all sort of easy. It's not easy. It's hard for them, but they show up and they're there for us.' 

Fox returned to acting this year, with a role in Apple TV's Shrinking, playing Gerry, a character who also lives with Parkinson's disease and bonds with Harrison Ford's character, Paul.

In September, he revealed that he has un-retired from acting sooner than expected despite the effect Parkinson's disease has had on his 'ability to memorise lines'. 

He was speaking at the Emmy Awards, where he was honoured with the Hope Humanitarian Award.

Fox was joined by his entire family for the award show and took the stage to give a moving speech after accepting the honour.

During his acceptance speech, he discussed his diagnosis with Parkinson's at the age of 29 in the early 90s and shared the heartbreaking reason why he kept his health battle a secret from Hollywood for nearly a decade.

Fox said he learned lessons of selflessness from the late entertainer Bob Hope and said that ultimately prepared him for the devastating diagnosis.

'I couldn't have known how these lessons would resonate in my own life, until my late 20s, when my life handed me a role I wasn't looking for.'

Opening up about the start of his battle with the condition, he added: 'Initially I kept my Parkinson's diagnosis a secret. I worried it would affect my work and relationships with audiences.'

He heartbreakingly admitted he questioned whether fans would 'laugh if they knew I was sick?'

But Fox admitted his fans all over the world were what inspired him to keep going, saying: 'I was stunned by the support from all of you, so uplifted and I hadn't lost what I do. 

'They couldn't take it away from me. And it's because you stood up for me. I appreciate it.

'I understood that accepting Parkinson's didn't mean I had to surrender to it. It just meant I had to do everything I could for everyone living with this disease. I set out to advocate for Parkinson's disease and raise money. I'm proud of the progress we've made to benefit Parkinson's patients and families.'

At the Emmys, Fox was also nominated for his 19th Emmy overall for his guest role in Shrinking, but lost out to Rob Reiner, who won posthumously for his guest role in The Bear.