‘It Was Just Two Guys Talking’: Eric Stoltz and Michael J. Fox’s ‘Back to the Future’ Reunion
Plus, where 80s actor Stoltz is now and what he says about the role he lost
Eric Stoltz and Michael J. Fox just had a heartfelt reunion—and it’s bringing new attention to one of Hollywood’s most fascinating ‘what if’ stories. Before Fox became Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985), Stoltz was originally cast in the iconic role, only to be replaced weeks into filming. Now, decades later, the two actors finally sat down together, and their conversation reveals there’s no bad blood—just two pros reflecting on a twist of fate that shaped both their careers. But losing that role didn’t hold Stoltz back. From his Golden Globe-winning performance in Mask (1985) to directing hit shows like Madam Secretary, the 62-year-old has built an impressive career on his own terms.
Eric Stoltz early career in movies and TV
Stoltz was born in sunny California, but acting wasn’t always a part of his plan.
“I sort of stumbled into it really—I was more into music,” he told Moviehole. “I studied piano for many years as a kid, and to earn money I would play for local productions, like the musicals in Santa Barbara.” He continued, “I remember being in the orchestra pit and looking up at the stage and realizing that the actors seemed to be having a much better time than me. So I thought, I might as well try that—it looks like fun.”
Stoltz didn’t just try it—he mastered it. By the time he went to college, he had acted in dozens of plays and in 1979 he got his first credit in an episode of James at 16, followed by his film debut in the TV movie The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank (1978). He dropped out of college at the University of Southern California to pursue his acting career, and luckily for him, success came his way.
The actor had numerous guest appearances in TV shows like The Waltons, Eight Is Enough and Knots Landing before he was cast in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Throughout the remainder of the 1980s and ’90s, Stoltz could be seen in numerous successful films including Mask (1985), for which he won a Golden Globe, Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), Say Anything (1989) and Pulp Fiction (1994), to name a few.
The actor almost went ‘Back to the Future’
While Eric Stoltz found fame without Back to the Future (1985) on his resume, the tale as old as time remains: Eric Stoltz was originally cast to play the part of Marty McFly, but was ultimately replaced by Michael J. Fox when the filmmakers felt he wasn’t right for the part.
“You know, it was 20-something years ago and I rarely look back, if at all, but in retrospect, I think just getting through that difficult period helped me realize how freeing it really was,” he told Moviehole of losing his role. “I went back to acting school, I moved to Europe, I did some plays in New York and I actually invested in myself in a way that was much healthier for me. If I had become a massive star, I don’t know if I wouldn’t have gone into therapy. On the other hand, I would’ve been exceedingly rich which would’ve been wonderful!” he joked.
Before Michael J. Fox set out to write his new book, Future Boy, he sat down with a few of the important figures present during the time in which the film was brought to life—and his conversation with Eric Stoltz was nothing but positive.
“It was great. It was a great conversation. It was just two guys talking, which is what I thought it would be,” Fox told People. “There’s all this mythology built up about this thing that happened. Was it backstabbing? Was there people conniving and being evil? No, it just was the thing that happened,” he shared.
Eric Stoltz bounced back
For Stoltz, Back to the Future was a blip in an otherwise long and illustrious career. In addition to his work on the screen, he experienced success on the stage, as well as behind the camera. His recent acting roles have been in series including The Good Fight and Madam Secretary and some of his most notable directing and producing credits of the past include episodes of Bull, Madam Secretary, How to Get Away With Murder, Glee and more. Eric Stoltz’s story is a reminder that sometimes the paths we don’t take lead us exactly where we’re meant to be. He built a rich, varied career on his own terms, proving that success isn’t about landing every role, but about making the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
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