TVG: Did you think about it a long time?

MJF: I did. What I couldn’t anticipate was how good it would feel to be able to represent my whole self. It was a big change not having to go through the motions that were required in keeping this to myself. And it became very liberating. I started to think, "If I can do 100 episodes, that will be terrific." And I kind of had a wait-and-see attitude. As I went into the beginning of last year, we were energized by the presence of Heather [Locklear]. It was a real coup for us, and for me personally, because she took so much of the load off. [But] as we got toward Christmas, I started to think, "I want to be with my family." And I’d done some things in Washington, and I really started to feel a part of the Parkinson’s community and to be energized by the potential for breakthroughs. My daughters are 5 and going into school. That’s a special time. My father was in the military and he didn’t have that kind of time. If I [do] and I can afford it, I should take it. So I thought, "I’ll go on vacation." Because my memories were that over the summer I felt so much better. So we went to the Caribbean [during the Christmas break from the show]. And sure enough, I get down there and I feel better. And I’m cutting back on medication and relaxing and just having a great time. One day I go out snorkeling and I’m following this sea turtle around, just floating above it. And I got out of the water and walked up to Tracy on the beach and said, "I’m done." I came back and started to tell people.

TVG: Do you wish you had done it earlier?

MJF: No. I came in [to do] 100 episodes. I’m stubborn. And I do believe that what has kept me fundamentally happy and optimistic is that I accept things. I take things as they come and put one foot in front of the other. But at the same time I am competitive and willful. I like to win. Sometimes I can let things go, but they have scratch marks on them.

TVG: Have you talked to Muhammad Ali, or Janet Reno, who also have Parkinson’s?

MJF: I’d love to speak to Ali. I haven’t. I’m going to call him and set something up soon. Before I had Parkinson’s, this man was a hero of mine. I have a photograph of him in my dressing room. He’s one of the first people I spoke to [my son about] at length, when he was old enough to understand the idea of heroes and role models. I showed him When We Were Kings. I idolized Ali’s principles, his strength — I even admired his stubbornness and his foolishness in allowing himself to be hurt the way that he was. I would love to find a way to be involved with him on something.

TVG: Would you say fighting this disease is now your mission?

MJF: It’s my mission inasmuch as it’s something that I’m extremely committed to. At the risk of sounding like I’m bucking for papal recognition or something, it very quickly became not about me. It’s about the whole thing. It’s not a mission to save myself. Because I’m very optimistic