In a revealing new memoir, Canadian-born actor Michael J. Fox has shared a long-untold story from the making of the iconic 1985 film Back to the Future. The star details how his casting led directly to another actress losing her role, with his height being the pivotal factor.
The Height Dilemma That Changed a Cast
Fox, now 64, writes in his memoir Future Boy that after he replaced actor Eric Stoltz in the role of Marty McFly weeks into production, a chain reaction was set off. Melora Hardin, who would later gain fame on The Office, had been cast as Marty's girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. However, she was subsequently replaced by actress Claudia Wells.
The reason, according to Fox, was a significant height difference. Fox, who is 5'4", writes that his stature "worked in my favour when I was a teenage actor playing a younger kid, but it turned against me as an adult, when I went up for romantic leads opposite taller actresses." He describes facing "short jokes and prejudice" throughout his career.
Director Robert Zemeckis initially considered keeping Hardin in the role opposite the shorter Fox. However, Fox recounts in the memoir excerpt obtained by Entertainment Weekly that Zemeckis quickly surveyed female crew members. They reportedly advised him that "the tall pretty girl in high school rarely picks the cute short guy." This feedback sealed the decision to recast the part.
Reflections and Repercussions
Fox expresses regret over the incident, stating, "I regret that this prejudice inadvertently affected another cast member." He adds that at the time, he was not a big enough star to advocate for Hardin to stay, but insists, "No one asked for my opinion, but I would have risen to Melora's defence."
For her part, Melora Hardin has spoken about the experience. On The Joe Vulpis Podcast, she recalled the moment as "crushing" and "very, very upsetting." She stated that the decision came from two female executives at the time who believed it would be "emasculating for their lead character male to be in scenes with a woman that was taller than him."
Hardin also offered a philosophical perspective, suggesting that if she had remained in Back to the Future, she might never have landed her defining role as Jan Levinson on the American version of The Office years later.
Fox and Stoltz: From Audition Rivals to Friends
The memoir also sheds new light on Fox's relationship with Eric Stoltz, the actor he replaced. Fox reveals that their paths first crossed in the early 1980s when both auditioned for the 1983 film The Lords of Discipline. Fox writes that during a joint reading, Stoltz "forcefully grabbed my shirt and nearly tore it in half." Neither actor got the part.
Despite the high-profile recasting on Back to the Future, Fox emphasizes that the experience "had not made us enemies or fated rivals." In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Fox said he and Stoltz have since become friends, describing a "great conversation" between "two guys talking." He dismissed any mythology of backstabbing, calling Stoltz a "wonderful actor."
Fox writes that they now maintain a "friendly correspondence" discussing movies, their children, and occasionally politics. Their shared experience, he suggests, created a unique bond between two dedicated actors.
The casting of Jennifer Parker saw one more change. Claudia Wells, who took over from Hardin, stepped away from the Back to the Future sequels to care for her dying mother. The role was then played by Elisabeth Shue in Back to the Future Part II and Part III.
Michael J. Fox's Future Boy, published in December 2025, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a film that became a cornerstone of 1980s pop culture, while also reflecting on the often-unseen personal and professional costs of Hollywood's decisions.
