5 Surprising Facts About Meredith Baxter: Elyse Keaton’s Life After Family Ties And Her Powerful New Advocacy

Meredith Baxter, the beloved actress who defined the quintessential liberal TV mother of the 1980s as Elyse Keaton on Family Ties, continues to captivate audiences and inspire with her deeply personal life story well into late 2025. While fans frequently revisit her iconic role alongside Michael J. Fox, her current professional life involves a powerful mix of selective acting projects, high-profile reunions, and tireless advocacy work that has defined her second act in Hollywood and beyond.

As of December 13, 2025, Baxter remains highly active in the public sphere, recently making headlines for a poignant stage reunion with her long-time co-star, Michael Gross. Her life today is a testament to resilience, having navigated career highs, multiple marriages, and a very public coming-out journey, all detailed candidly in her best-selling memoir, giving her a fresh, unique voice in the current cultural landscape.

Meredith Baxter: Complete Biography and Profile

Meredith Ann Baxter is an American actress and producer known for her influential roles across television dramas and sitcoms for over five decades. Her career is marked by versatility, moving seamlessly from early comedic roles to dramatic performances that earned her multiple Emmy nominations.

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• Full Name: Meredith Ann Baxter
• Date of Birth: June 21, 1947
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 78
• Place of Birth: South Pasadena, California, U.S.
• Notable Roles: Elyse Keaton (Family Ties), Nancy Lawrence Maitland (Family), Bridget Steinberg Harshe (Bridget Loves Bernie)
• Spouse: Nancy Locke (m. 2013)
• Previous Marriages: Robert Lewis Bush (m. 1966; div. 1971), David Birney (m. 1974; div. 1990), Michael Blodgett (m. 1995; div. 2000)
• Children: 5 (three with David Birney, two from her first marriage)
• Memoir: Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering (2011)
• Major Advocacy: LGBT Issues, Domestic Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Breast Cancer Awareness

The Enduring Legacy of Elyse Keaton and Recent Reunions

The role of Elyse Keaton on NBC’s Family Ties (1982–1989) solidified Meredith Baxter’s place in television history. Playing the liberal, architect mother to conservative son Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox), she embodied the generational and political shifts of the 1980s. This legacy continues to drive public interest, resulting in frequent "Then and Now" retrospectives in 2025.

A Stage Reunion with Michael Gross

In one of the most heartwarming recent updates, Baxter reunited with her on-screen husband, Michael Gross (Steven Keaton), for a professional project beyond the reunion interviews. The pair took to the stage to perform A.R. Gurney's two-person play, Love Letters, at venues like the Bucks County Playhouse. This collaboration not only delighted long-time fans but also showcased the pair’s enduring chemistry and commitment to the arts, proving their professional bond is as strong as their fictional one.

The reunion is a significant event because it moves beyond simple nostalgia. It allows both actors to engage with their fans in a new, intimate theatre setting, discussing the themes of life, love, and partnership—themes that resonate deeply with their iconic TV roles. This type of selective, meaningful work is characteristic of Baxter’s career choices in recent years.

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From TV Mom to Outspoken Advocate: The Power of 'Untied'

Meredith Baxter’s personal life took center stage in 2009 when she publicly came out as a lesbian during an interview on the Today show. This announcement, made after three previous marriages, marked a pivotal moment in her life and career.

The Candid Story of Nancy Locke

Her relationship with contractor Nancy Locke, whom she married in 2013, has been a source of stability and happiness. The couple has been together since 2005, and their story is a prominent part of Baxter’s public narrative. Her openness about finding love later in life has made her a crucial figure in LGBT advocacy, particularly for older generations. She often speaks about the challenges and triumphs of this personal journey.

A Memoir That Changed Everything

In 2011, Baxter published her candid memoir, Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering. The book was a raw and honest account, detailing her struggles with alcohol abuse, her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse during her marriage to David Birney, and her journey to accepting her sexual orientation.

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The memoir’s revelations transformed her public persona from merely a TV star to a powerful advocate. Today, her public appearances and keynote speaking engagements frequently center on these critical issues: Domestic Abuse Awareness, Alcohol Abuse recovery, and LGBT Rights. She uses her platform to give voice to survivors and promote healing, a role she finds deeply fulfilling in her current life.

Beyond Family Ties: Other Key Career Entities

While Family Ties is her most famous role, Baxter’s career is rich with other significant entities and performances that underscore her range as an actress.

• Bridget Loves Bernie (1972-1973): This short-lived CBS sitcom was one of her first starring roles, where she played Bridget Steinberg, a Catholic woman married to a Jewish man.
• Family (1976-1980): A critically acclaimed ABC drama where she starred as Nancy Lawrence Maitland. Her performance earned her an Emmy nomination and established her as a serious dramatic actress.
• TV Movies: Baxter became known as the "Queen of the TV Movie" for her numerous roles in made-for-television films, often portraying characters in challenging or controversial situations, such as Shadow on the Mesa.
• Breast Cancer Advocacy: A breast cancer survivor herself, Baxter has also been a passionate advocate for cancer research and awareness, even launching a skincare line, Meredith Baxter Simple Works, to raise funds for the cause.

Meredith Baxter’s life in late 2025 is characterized by a blend of celebrating her past successes, particularly the beloved Family Ties, and focusing on her future as a speaker and advocate. Her commitment to sharing her personal story—from her marriage to Nancy Locke and her recovery from abuse—ensures that her voice remains relevant, powerful, and a source of inspiration for countless fans worldwide.