Actor and Parkinson’s advocate Michael J. Fox has been promoted to Companion – the highest Order of Canada level.

The actor was recognized at the Order of Canada ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday.

Fox released that he had Parkinson’s to the public in 1998. In 2000 he launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation and has helped to raise more than $2 billion towards research on the disease.

Governor General Louise Arbour, well speaking in French, said, “You could have used your talents solely to further your own success. Instead, you have chosen to use your skills, influence and energy to help others,”

The actor was only one of 51 people to be inducted or promoted in the Order of Canada ceremony on Friday. Included in that group was also former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz and Pulitzer prize-winning investigative reporter Susanne Craig.