Although Michael was about to graduate from high school, he was determined to go to Hollywood, California, to pursue his career. Michael decided to leave after his eighteenth birthday; however, before graduating from high school (Michael didn't receive his General Equivalency certificate till 1995.) His father drove him to L. A and gave him $3,000 to get started. Michael went to high school in his native hometown but never finished. When he got married, had kids, and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, earning his GED become his priority. Fifteen years after quitting high school, Fox went back and got his GED.