March 10, 2023

Here's the Scoop...

Today's featured celebrity is actress Meredith Baxter! You may remember her from being one of the best TV moms of the 1980s in the role of Elyse Keaton on the NBC sitcom Family Ties (1982-89). She may have been a hippie, but she was a great television mom!

Let's find out what she's doing these days!

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Steve

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Meredith Baxter

Learn More About Meredith Baxter, see Then & Now pictures, and find out What She's Been Up To on Celebrity Nooz

BIRTH DATE: June 21, 1947 in South Pasadena, California, USA

BIRTH NAME: Meredith Ann Baxter

CLAIM TO FAME: Meredith Baxter is an American actress and producer best known for her role as Elyse Keaton on the NBC sitcom Family Ties (1982-89).

FAMILY LIFE: Baxter has been married four times and has five children. Robert Lewis Bush (1966-1971, divorce); Children: Theodore Justin "Ted" Bush and Eva Whitney Bush, David Birney (1974-1989, divorce); Children: Kathleen Jeanne "Kate" Birney, and twins, Mollie Elizabeth Birney and Peter David Edwin Birney; Michael Blodgett (1995-2000, divorce), and Nancy Locke (2013-present). And has grandchildren: Sophia and Bella (Eva's daughters) and Eli (Ted's son).

INFO: She's the daughter of actress, director and producer Whitney Blake; and Tom Baxter, a radio announcer.

After her parents were divorced in 1953, Baxter and her two brothers, Richard (born 1944) and Brian (born 1946), were raised by their mother.

Her second stepfather was situation comedy writer Allan Manings.

Was educated at James Monroe High School before transferring to Hollywood High School.

During her senior year, she attended Interlochen Center for the Arts as a voice major, but returned to Hollywood High, where she graduated in 1965.

She and her Family Ties co-star, Michael Gross, were both born on June 21, 1947.

She got sober in 1989, around the time of her divorce from David Birney.

In 1999, Baxter was diagnosed with breast cancer. After treatment, she made a full recovery and founded the Meredith Baxter Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

Baxter created a skin care line called Meredith Baxter Simple Works, which raises funds for Baxter's breast cancer research foundation.

Was the guest speaker at the 2008 Southern Commencement for National University in La Jolla, California, and was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the university.

In 2009, she came out as a lesbian during an interview with Matt Lauer on Today, and on the Frank DeCaro Show on Sirius-XM OutQ 102.

In March of 2011, Baxter's memoir, titled Untied, was published. In the book, she details her early life, her unhappy and in some cases abusive marriages, especially from ex-husband David Birney, wich he's denied and continues to deny the accusations, her struggles with and recovery from alcoholism, and her realization that she is a lesbian. The book became a New York Times bestseller.

TRIVIA: Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1976" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 28.

Baxter got her first appearance in television in 1970 on an episode of The Partridge Family in its second season.

In 1972, she starred in short-lived CBS sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie, which co-stars David Birney, who became her second husband in 1974. Until they were divorced in 1989, she was credited as "Meredith Baxter Birney", under which name she became widely known in 1976 on Family.

In 1976, She played the role of Nancy Lawrence Maitland on Family, and received two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1977 and 1978).

In 1982, Baxter landed the role of Elyse Keaton, the former flower child matriarch of the Keaton family on the NBC sitcom Family Ties.

She was seven months pregnant with her twins, Peter and Mollie, when she went on maternity leave from filming Family Ties, returned to work one month after giving birth.

Following Family Ties, Baxter was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for her work in A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story (1992), based on the true story of Betty Broderick, a divorcée who was convicted of murder in the shooting of her ex-husband and his young wife.

For her work on the television film My Breast (1994), she received a special award for public awareness from the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

In 1997, Baxter once again played the mother of a character played by Michael J. Fox (who portrayed her son, Alex P. Keaton, on Family Ties), this time in two episodes of Spin City.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Baxter is still a strong presence on television. Hopefully, we will see more of her in the years to come. Currently, she has finished work on the comedy film Genesis: The Future of Mankind Is Woman. A release date has yet to be announced.

CREDITS:

2020 Christmas on the Vine (TV Movie)...Carla Kilgore

2019 Undateable John...Beatrice - John's Mother

2016 Code Black (TV Series)...Joanna
- Landslide (2016) ... Joanna

2016 Skirtchasers (TV Movie)...Lilah Samuels

2015 Being Mary Jane (TV Series)...Simone
- Some Things Are Black and White (2015) ... Simone

2015 Becoming Santa (TV Movie)...Jessica Claus

2014-2015 Finding Carter (TV Series)...Gammy
- The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (2015) ... Gammy
- I Knew You Were Trouble (2015) ... Gammy
- Riptide (2015) ... Gammy
- Something to Talk About (2015) ... Gammy
- Pretty When You Cry (2015) ... Gammy
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (2015) ... Gammy
- Love the Way You Lie (2015) ... Gammy
- Throw Momma from the Train (2014) ... Gammy
- Now You See Me (2014) ... Gammy
- Pilot (2014) ... Gammy

2012-2015 Switched at Birth (TV Series)...Bonnie Tamblyn-Dixon
- Fog and Storm and Rain (2015) ... Bonnie Tamblyn-Dixon
- Las Dos Fridas (2012) ... Bonnie Tamblyn-Dixon

2014 The Young and the Restless (TV Series)...Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10551 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10545 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10539 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10538 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10537 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10530 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10528 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10527 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10523 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10522 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10521 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10505 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10500 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10497 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10496 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10494 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10493 (2014) ... Maureen Russell
- Episode #1.10492 (2014) ... Maureen Russell

2014 Instant Mom (TV Series)...Elyse Keaton
- Not Your Mother's Day (2014) ... Elyse Keaton

2013 The Neighbors (TV Series)...Mother Joyner
- Supreme Like Me (2013) ... Mother Joyner
- Thanksgiving is No Schmuck Bait (2013) ... Mother Joyner

2013 Reading Writing & Romance (TV Movie)...Elaine

2013 Glee (TV Series)...Liz Stevens
- All or Nothing (2013) ... Liz Stevens

2011-2013 Dan Vs. (TV Series)...Elise Sr.
- Dan Vs. The Family Cruise (2013) ... Elise Sr.
- Dan Vs. Chris (2012) ... Elise Sr. (voice)
- Dan Vs. The Family Thanksgiving (2011) ... Elise Sr. (voice)
- Dan Vs. The Family Camping Trip (2011) ... Elise Sr. (voice)
- Dan Vs. Elise's Parents (2011) ... Elise Sr. (voice)

2013 Shadow on the Mesa (TV Movie)...Emilie Rawlins

2011 Naughty or Nice (TV Movie)...Carol Kringle

2009-2011 Family Guy (TV Series)...Elyse Keaton / Meredith Baxter
- Brothers & Sisters (2011) ... Elyse Keaton (voice)
- Stew-Roids (2009) ... Elyse Keaton (voice)
- Family Gay (2009) ... Meredith Baxter (voice)

2010 Airline Disaster (Video)...President Harriet Franklin

2010 We Have to Stop Now (TV Series)...Judy
- Celesbianism (2010)
- How Sweet It Is (2010)
- The Grass Is Always Greener (2010) ... Judy

2009 Brothers (TV Series)...TV Mom
- Commercial/Coach DMV (2009) ... TV Mom

2009 Bound by a Secret (TV Movie)...Ida Mae

2008 The Onion Movie...Cooking Show Chef

2006-2007 Cold Case (TV Series)...Ellen Rush
- Stalker (2007) ... Ellen Rush
- The Good Death (2007) ... Ellen Rush
- Cargo (2007) ... Ellen Rush
- Torn (2007) ... Ellen Rush
- Beautiful Little Fool (2006) ... Ellen Rush

2007 What About Brian (TV Series)...Frankie
- What About All That Glitters... (2007) ... Frankie

2006 Brothers & Sisters (TV Series)...Margaret Packard
- For the Children (2006) ... Margaret Packard

2006 Paradise, Texas...Liz Cameron

2005 The Closer (TV Series)...Congresswoman Simmons
- Fantasy Date (2005) ... Congresswoman Simmons

2005 The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green...Harper Green

2004 Angel in the Family (TV Movie)...Lorraine

2004 Half & Half (TV Series)...Joan Tyrell
- The Big Rules of Engagement Episode (2004) ... Joan Tyrell

2003 7th Heaven (TV Series)...Ms. Jones
- Go Ask Alice (2003) ... Ms. Jones

2003 Devil's Pond...Kate

2003 A Long Way Home (TV Movie)...Carol

2002 A Christmas Visitor (TV Movie)...Carol Boyajian

2001 Murder on the Orient Express (TV Movie)...Mrs. Caroline Hubbard

2001 A Mother's Fight for Justice (TV Movie)...Terry Stone

2000 The Wednesday Woman (TV Movie)...Muriel Davidson

1999 Elevator Seeking (Video)...Ann

1999 Miracle on the 17th Green (TV Movie)...Susan McKinley

1999 Down Will Come Baby (TV Movie)...Leah Garr

1999 Holy Joe (TV Movie)...Annie Cass

1997 Spin City (TV Series)...Macy
- Family Affair: Part 2 (1997) ... Macy
- Family Affair (1997) ... Macy

1997 Let Me Call You Sweetheart (TV Movie)...D.A. Kerry McGrath

1997 Miracle in the Woods (TV Movie)...Sarah Weatherby

1997 The Inheritance (TV Movie)...Beatrice Hamilton

1997 Dog's Best Friend (TV Movie)...Cow (voice)

1996 After Jimmy (TV Movie)...Maggie Stapp

1996 The Faculty (TV Series)...Flynn Sullivan
- Julie's Party (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- The Brain Teaser (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Clark's Crisis (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Parents' Night (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Bus Stop (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- He's the Janitor (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Daisy's Secret (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Spirit Day (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Behavior Among Adults (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Somewhere There's Music (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Opportunity Knockers (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Carlos Garcia (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan
- Pilot (1996) ... Flynn Sullivan

1995 The Faculty (TV Movie)

1995 Betrayed: A Story of Three Women (TV Movie)...Amanda Nelson

1994 My Breast (TV Movie)...Joyce Wadler

1994 One More Mountain (TV Movie)...Margaret Reed

1994 For the Love of Aaron (TV Movie)...Margaret Gibson

1993 CBS Schoolbreak Special (TV Series)...Paula Hensen
- Other Mothers (1993) ... Paula Hensen

1993 Darkness Before Dawn (TV Movie)...Mary Ann Guard

1992 Stolen Love (TV Movie)...DeeDee

1992 Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter (TV Movie)...Betty Broderick

1992 A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story (TV Movie)...Betty Broderick

1991 A Mother's Justice (TV Movie)...Lila

1991 Bump in the Night (TV Movie)...Martha Tierney (as Meredith Baxter-Birney)

1990 Jezebel's Kiss...Virginia De Leo

1990 Burning Bridges (TV Movie)...Lynn Hollinger (as Meredith Baxter-Birney)

1990 The Kissing Place (TV Movie)...Florence Tulane (as Meredith Baxter-Birney)

1982-1989 Family Ties (TV Series)...Elyse Keaton / Elyse Catherine Keaton / Martha Jefferson
172 Episodes

1989 American Playhouse (TV Series)...Eve
- The Diaries of Adam and Eve (1989) ... Eve (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1989 She Knows Too Much (TV Movie)...Samantha White (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1988 Little People Video (Video short) (voice)

1988 Winnie (TV Movie)...Winnie (as Meredith Baxter-Birney)

1987 The Long Journey Home (TV Movie)...Maura Wells (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1986 Kate's Secret (TV Movie)...Kate Stark (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1985 Family Ties Vacation (TV Movie)...Elyse Keaton (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1985 The Rape of Richard Beck (TV Movie)...Barbara McKee (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1982 Take Your Best Shot (TV Movie)...Carol Marriner (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1977-1982 The Love Boat (TV Series)...Francesca Randall / Sandy Rytell
- The Italian Cruise: Venetian Love Song/Down for the Count/Arrividerci, Gopher/The Arrangement: Part 2 (1982) ... Francesca Randall (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- The Italian Cruise: Venetian Love Song/Down for the Count/Arrividerci, Gopher/The Arrangement: Part 1 (1982) ... Francesca Randall (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- Captain & the Lady/Centerfold/One if by Land... (1977) ... Sandy Rytell (as Meredith Baxter-Birney)

1981 The Two Lives of Carol Letner (TV Movie)...Carol Letner (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1981 Standing Room Only (TV Series)...Joanne
- Vanities (1981) ... Joanne (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1980 Beulah Land (TV Mini Series)...Lauretta Pennington
- Part III (1980) ... Lauretta Pennington (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- Part II (1980) ... Lauretta Pennington (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- Part I (1980) ... Lauretta Pennington (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1976-1980 Family (TV Series)...Nancy Lawrence Maitland
62 Episodes

1979 The Family Man (TV Movie)...Mercedes Cole (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1978 Little Women (TV Mini Series)...Meg March
- Part II (1978) ... Meg March (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- Part I (1978) ... Meg March (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1978 What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (TV Series)...Gloria
- Class Athlete (1978) ... Gloria (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1977 The November Plan (TV Movie)...Mary Kingston (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1976 Bittersweet Love...Patricia Peterson (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1976 Police Woman (TV Series)...Liz Robson
- Sara Who? (1976) ... Liz Robson (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1976 All the President's Men...Debbie Sloan

1976 The Wide World of Mystery (TV Series)
- Terror in the Night (1976)

1976 City of Angels (TV Series)...Mary Kingston
- The November Plan: Part 3 (1976) ... Mary Kingston (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- The November Plan: Part 2 (1976) ... Mary Kingston (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- The November Plan: Part 1 (1976) ... Mary Kingston (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1975 McMillan & Wife (TV Series)...Faye Leonard
- Secrets for Sale (1975) ... Faye Leonard (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1975 Medical Story (TV Series)...Sunny / Erica Schiff
- Us Against the World (1975) ... Sunny (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- A Life in the Balance (1975) ... Erica Schiff (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1975 The Night That Panicked America (TV Movie)...Linda Davis (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1975 The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series)...Jodi Dixon
- Deadly Silence (1975) ... Jodi Dixon (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1974-1975 Medical Center (TV Series)...Priscilla / Paula
- The Velvet Knife (1975) ... Priscilla (as Meredith Baxter Birney)
- Demi-God (1974) ... Paula (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1975 The Impostor (TV Movie)...Julie Watson (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1975 Target Risk (TV Movie)...Linda Flayly (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1974 Young Love (TV Movie)...April (as Meredith Baxter Birney)

1974 The Stranger Who Looks Like Me (TV Movie)...Joanne Denver

1974 Barnaby Jones (TV Series)...Jenny Sutherland
- The Deadly Jinx (1974) ... Jenny Sutherland

1973 The Cat Creature (TV Movie)...Rena Carter

1973 The Invasion of Carol Enders (TV Movie)...Carol Enders

1973 Doc Elliot (TV Series)...Jenny
- And All Ye Need to Know (1973) ... Jenny

1972-1973 Bridget Loves Bernie (TV Series)...Bridget Fitzgerald Steinberg
All 24 Episodes

1973 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series)...Guest Performer
- David Birney & Meredith Baxter-Birney (1973) ... Guest Performer

1972 Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (TV Series)...Ann Glover
- Words of Summer (1972) ... Ann Glover

1972 Ben...Eve Garrison

1972 Stand Up and Be Counted...Tracy

1971 The Partridge Family (TV Series)...Jenny
- Where Do Mermaids Go? (1971) ... Jenny

1971 Insight (TV Series)...Julie
- The Party (1971) ... Julie

1971 The Doris Day Show (TV Series)...April
- Young Love (1971) ... April

1971 The Young Lawyers (TV Series)...Gloria
- The Victims (1971) ... Gloria

1971 The Interns (TV Series)...Millie
- The Secret (1971) ... Millie

To see Then & Now pictures of Meredith Baxter, visit: Celebrity Nooz