Michael J. Fox Praises His Family for Continuously Supporting Him Through Parkinson’s: ‘They’ve Always Been There’ (Exclusive)

Michael J. Fox gets by with family on his side.

The actor, 64, attended the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s event in New York City on Saturday, Nov. 15, when he opened up about his loved one’s continued support of him amid his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“They’re so supportive and so great,” Fox told PEOPLE exclusively of wife Tracy Pollan and their four children: son Sam, 36, plus daughters Esmé, 24, and Aquinnah and Schuyler, 30.

“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?’ ” he continued.

“They’ve always been there for me, and they continue to be for me, year after year,” Fox added at the event, held at Cipriani South Street at Casa Cipriani, to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991. He shared the news in a PEOPLE cover story at the time.

The Back to the Future star then founded his nonprofit nine years later in 2000, and it celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research — which is the largest nonprofit funding Parkinson’s research in the world — has endowed more than $2.5 billion to advance understanding of the disease, which has no cure.

“You don’t know how much you need until you know how much it took. I’m so happy with what we’ve done. So happy to see advancement,” Fox told People last month of the organization’s achievements.

The A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s event featured Fox and Pollan, who are co-chairs.

Denis Leary served as the evening’s host, while Jackson Browne performed as a musical guest at the event.

Nikki Glaser and Jon Stewart both provided comedic relief during the annual gathering, with each performing stand-up sets for those in attendance. Other guests who showed support included Meg Ryan, Clark Gregg, Richard Kind, Julianna Margulies, Katie Couric, John Molner, Willie Geist, and Christina Geist.

“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,” she said. “So it’s important to acknowledge that and acknowledge that it’s not just all sorts of easy. It’s not easy. It’s hard for them, but they show up and they’re there for us.