He attended Auckland Grammar school.
During his time with the All Blacks from 1985 to 1993, he wore the number 10 jersey (first five-eighth or fly-half), and was the main goalkicker for the All Blacks. He amassed 645 points from 46 All Black Test Matches (1 try, 118 conversions, 128 penalties, 7 drop goals). He is considered a true pioneer of the modern art of goal kicking, in particular the technicalities of leaning the ball forward, which has been adopted by world class kickers since.
Many believe he is one of the greatest first five-eighths in All Black history, even though he was not a great runner with the ball in hand.
His inability to score tries was often a joking point in the team – his cause not helped by an overruled attempt against Ireland in 1989 (due to a prior technical infringement by a teammate). The highlight of Fox"s career was winning the inaugural Rugby World Cup with New Zealand in 1987, a victory based in part on his accurate kicking.
In the 1995 New Year Honours, Fox was awarded an Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rugby. Fox remained an integral part of his Auckland club, involved at a coaching level and sharing in their success in the 1999 and 2002–2003 Non-Player Character seasons.
Fox is now a commentator on Sky Sports, National Broadcasting Company Sports and in the EA Sports rugby union series.
Fox did colour commentary on the Rugby World Cup on American Broadcasting Company in 1995, with First Rate (at Lloyd's) Michaels in 1999 and 2003 and Mike Tirico in 2007. He is also the Managing Director of Carnegie Sports Marketing Limited to market the advertising signage around the Stadium Field and Grandstand.