‘Family Ties’: What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series

“Family Ties” was a well-loved sitcom that aired from 1982 to 1989 for seven seasons. After the show, its stars went on a myriad of different directions, from being jailed, choosing to change their sexual orientation after three marriages to almost ruining their life. Despite this, some went on to have successful show business careers.

The American sitcom “Family Ties” revolved around the lives of Steven and Elyse Keaton and their children Alex, Mallory, Jennifer, and Andrew. After being ex-hippies, they navigate trying to raise a traditional suburban family despite their children’s different personalities.

Like many other successful sitcoms, “Family Ties” was pivotal in the careers of its cast. It launched some of its cast members to greater things while caused others to quit the industry and even go on a downward spiral. 34 years since the show went off-air, here’s what’s happened in the lives of its stars:

1. Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton

Justine Bateman | Source: Getty Images

Justine Bateman acted on several projects after the end of “Family Ties.” However, she also ventured into directing and writing, and decided to pursue a degree in Digital Marketing Management and Computer Science in University of California Los Angeles when she was in her 40s.

Batemean directed her first feature film, “Violet,” in 2021 and published a book about growing up famous, which was labeled by others as “shockingly frank.”

2. Michael Gross as Steven Keaton

Michael Gross | Source: Getty Images / Instagram.com/Michael Gross

Michael Gross, who went on to become an actor after his role on “Family Ties,” is an avid model train enthusiast. Fans may also recognize him for the roles he played in the hit shows “Law & Order,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and “The Young and the Restless.”

3. Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton

Meredith Baxter | Source: Getty Images

When “Family Ties” ended, Meredith Baxter had a lot going on in her life and career. She starred in 13 TV movies and a big-screen film in the 1990s, and had three marriages and five children before finally coming out as a lesbian and dating a younger partner.

In more recent years, Baxter wrote a memoir with references to her time on the sicom, which she titled “Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering.” Another significant event in her life was marrying longtime partner Nancy Lock in an intimate celebration in 2013.

Meredith Baxter and partner Nancy Locke at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center’s 2013 “An Evening with Women” gala in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

4. Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton

Michael J. Fox | Source: Getty Images/Instagram.com/Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox doesn’t just credit “Family Ties” for putting him in the spotlight but for bringing him romance. He began dating Tracy Pollan, who played the role of Ellen Reed in the sitcom, and they became life-life lovers after meeting on set.

In 1998, Fox revealed to his fans that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Because of the diagnosis, he poured much of his time and effort on the Michael J. Fox Foundation to support Parkinson’s Disease research and education.

Thanks to his dedication, Fox was recently given with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2022 Oscar Awards. He remains devoted and happily married to Pollan, and together they share four children.

5. Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton

Tina Yothers | Source: Getty Images/Youtube.com/Daily Blast LIVE

After “Family Ties,” Tina Yothers decided to shift focuses in the entertainment industry. Instead of acting, she formed a band with her brother Cory called “Jaded,” and it kept her busy in the late 1990s.

In 2008, fans got a glimpse of Yothers again when she joined season 6 of “Celebrity Fit Club.” She joined the show in hopes of losing weight after giving birth to her children, Lillian Grace and Robert Jake, in 2005 and 2007, respectively. It would be four years until fans would see her again when she and her husband, Robert Kaiser, joined an episode of the reality series “Celebrity Wife Swap.”

6. Tracy Pollan as Ellen Reed

Tracy Pollan | Source: Getty Images

Tracy Pollan is a mom to four kids with Michael J. Fox, whom they welcomed after getting married in July 1988. They are proud parents to Sam, Esmé, and twins Aquinna and Schuyler, who recently celebrated their 28th birthday.

7. Scott Valentine as Nick Moore

Scott Valentine | Source: Getty Images

Scott Valentine left the entertainment industry to focus on his business. He is the managing director of a boutique investment firm focusing on renewable and sustainable energy called Excelsior Capital Partners.

8. Brian Bonsall as Andy Keaton

Brian Bonsall | Source: Getty Images/Instagram.com/Brian Bonsall

Brian Bonsall struggled greatly after “Family Ties.” He was arrested multiple times in Colorado, constantly on assault charges and one drunk driving charge.

However, the actor managed to turn his life around when he married his girlfriend Courtney in 2017. They welcomed their first child Oliver in 2019, and his son ultimately changed the way the troubled child star lived. The young boy is the actor’s spitting image.

9. Marc Price as Irwin “Skippy” Handelman

Marc Price | Getty Images/Twitter.com/Marc Price

Marc Price chose to pursue a career behind the camera after “Family Ties,” focusing greatly on being a writer and producer for several TV shows. When he’s not busy writing, he’s also a stand-up comedian.

10. Courteney Cox as Lauren Miller

Courteney Cox | Source: Getty Images/Instagram.com/Courteney Cox

C

ourteney Cox went on to become one of the most successful actors in the “Family Ties” cast, with an estimated net worth of $150 million thanks to her cult-favorite “Friends” TV series.

Despite being a multi-millionaire, she is a proud homemaker, loving to cook for her family and friends whenever given the chance.

11. Geena Davis as Karen Nicholson

Geena Davis | Source: Getty Images

Geena Davis played the goofy housekeeper on “Family Ties.” She continued acting for years until 2004, when she decided to put up the “Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media,” which aims to create more roles for women in Hollywood.

12. Tom Hanks as Ned Donnelly

Tom Hanks | Source: Getty Images

Tom Hanks, who played Elyse Keaton’s younger brother in the first two seasons, has went on to star in over 80 feature films during his four decades in Hollywood. Despite this, the A-list actor has no plans of retiring from the industry anytime soon.

Hanks has been married to his wife Rita Wilson for 33 years and share four kids, Colin, Truman, Chet, and Elizabeth Ann. They are also proud grandparents to a biracial granddaughter named Machaiah.

Fans of “Family Ties” have closely been monitoring their favorite stars through the years. With social media easily accessible nowadays, they are able to stay updated with their favorite actors’ lives thanks to the posts they openly share with the public every so often.