Michael J. Fox Reveals What He Took from ‘Family Ties’ Set – and What He Wishes He Stole from ‘Back to the Future’

Michael J. Fox shot to stardom in the 1980s, first winning hearts as the charming Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties.

Just three years later, in 1985, he cemented his icon status as time-traveling teen Marty McFly in Back to the Future – a role that kicked off one of the most beloved trilogies in film history.

Now, over 40 years since the debut of both films, the 64-year-old actor revealed which props he still has in his possession to this day — and which ones he wishes he had stolen. 

“I had a whale from Family Ties – the whale above the sink, above the stove,” he revealed to Donny Deutsch during a recent on-stage discussion pegged to his new book, Future Boy, co-written with Nelle Fortenberry.

“It was a brass whale that I took,” Fox added. “I didn’t take anything valuable.”

But when it came to the iconic red Gibson ES-345 in Back to the Future, he called himself “stupid” for not snagging it up. “I should’ve taken the goddamn guitar,” he said regretfully.

Unfortunately, the beloved instrument that Fox used to play “Johnny B. Goode” on at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance has reportedly been missing since the film ended.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, the film’s cast teamed up with Gibson Guitars to track down the missing prop.

In June 2025, Lea Thompson told PEOPLE exclusively that she had little idea where the “incredible” guitar could have disappeared to.

“I have no idea how [the guitar] slipped through people’s hands,” she said. “I mean, the first thing I thought was maybe one of the prop masters had it … but then I knew it was super expensive … so it had to go somewhere.”

The 64-year-old actress also revealed that since the cast and crew were unaware of how popular the first film was going to be – especially without a sequel deal set up yet – very few props were actually collected.

“People weren’t like Star Wars taking the props and everything,” she admitted. “I only have the dress and the shoes, and the jewelry from the prom.”

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Gibson Films is even producing a new documentary, Lost to the Future, which follows the global hunt for McFly’s iconic red ES-345 guitar.

Featuring interviews with the cast, creators and musicians inspired by the film, the project 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.

Fox’s book, Future Boy, came out on Oct. 14 and recounts his intense time working on Family Ties and Back to the Future simultaneously.