Woody Harrelson and Michael J. Fox have warmed the hearts of many after the Teen Wolf star was awarded an honorary Oscar for his fight against Parkinson's.
Michael J. Fox, 61, was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 13th Governors Awards ceremony on Saturday. The honor is given to an "individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry," per the Academy.
The Back To The Future star received the award due to his advocacy of Parkinson's research. The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991 at the age of 29 and, after publically disclosing his condition in 1998, has committed himself to campaign for increased research about the disease through The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Woody Harrelson, 61, gave a moving speech before he gave his friend a warm embrace and handed him the award. He recalled how Michael had "changed his life".
Watch the tearful embrace below:"To his cause, Michael J Fox has brought understanding, empathy, and resolve, and with it, inspiration to millions who stand a little taller and speak a little stronger, and hold on just a little tighter to something humanity needs a whole lot more of, hope," Woody explained.
"I was at a party in Hollywood - I don't recall the specifics - but it was in the mid-eighties, naturally I was in the kitchen where all good parties end up.
Watch Woody Harrelson's moving speech below:
"I stepped out for some air and suddenly I came back and it seemed like everyone there evaporated. But everyone was in the living room watching a television show. So I stopped and watch, there was this high school kid and he was electric. What he could do with a look or a pause, I was watching a phenomenon in the making.
"I think of myself as pretty funny, and very funny when I'm high. But this guy was a masterclass in comedy. That was my first introduction to Michael J Fox."
Woody went on: "A year or two later he did Back To The Future, he was the biggest star in the world, and we were having a Cheers Christmas party and he came by and he was incredibly gracious - he loved the show and my character - he has this amazing ability to turn the tables and make others feel great.
"I've seen him do this so many times over so many years, Mike is a genuinely great guy, what can I say - he's Canadian. We had a nice chat and he got up on stage and did his solo from Back To The Future, everyone from the cast felt very lucky to witness this."
Watch Michael J. Fox's acceptance speech below:
The Zombieland actor explained that Michael and himself went on to become good friends after that, and how he owed his move from television to "the big screen" to him.
During his acceptance speech, Michael revealed that his foundation has raised over $1.5 billion for research into Parkinson's disease.
Woody summed up his friend as "An inspiration, always".
Over on Twitter, people responded to Michael's win by describing the actor as "a giant amongst men".
"Michael J.Fox is a Giant amongst men. What he has achieved in his lifetime is amazing," one fan wrote. "He deserves this honor and more."
A second added: "You can always tell when a hug is genuine and this one is."
And a third wrote: "Congratulations Michael! You’re a beautiful person inside and out! You inspire us daily!"