- Meredith Baxter
-
Meredith Baxter 
Baxter at an AIDS Project Los Angeles benefit, 1990Born Meredith Ann Baxter
June 21, 1947
South Pasadena, California, United StatesNationality American Other names Meredith Baxter-Birney Ethnicity White American Occupation Actress and producer Years active 1971–present Television Bridget Loves Bernie
Family
Family Ties
Dan Vs.Spouse Robert Lewis Bush
(1966–1969, divorced)
David Birney
(1974–1989, divorced)
Michael Blodgett
(1995–2000, divorced)Partner Nancy Locke
(2005–present)[1]Children 2 sons, 3 daughters Parents Tom Baxter
Whitney Blake (deceased)Relatives Allan Manings (mother's widower, deceased) Meredith Baxter (born June 21, 1947), also known for some years as Meredith Baxter-Birney, is an American actress and producer. She is known for her acting roles including three television series: Family (1976–1980), an ABC television-network drama, Family Ties (1982–1989), an NBC television-network situation comedy, and Dan Vs. (2011–present), a situation comedy on The Hub television-network.
Contents
Early life
She was born Meredith Ann Baxter in South Pasadena, California, the daughter of actress and situation-comedy creator Whitney Blake and Tom Baxter, a radio announcer.[2] She was raised in Southern California and has two brothers: Richard (born 1944) and Brian (born 1946). Her mother's widower was situation-comedy writer Allan Manings.
Career
Baxter got her first big break on television in 1972 as one of the stars of Bridget Loves Bernie, a CBS television-network situation comedy. The series was canceled after one season, but her co-star, David Birney became her second husband in 1974. Following their marriage and until their divorce in 1989, she was credited as Meredith Baxter-Birney.
As Baxter-Birney, she became widely known several years later on Family. She played the role of Nancy Lawrence Maitland and received two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1977 and 1978).
After Family ended, she starred with Annette O'Toole and Shelley Hack in Vanities (1981), a television production of the comedy-drama stage play about the lives, loves and friendship of three Texas cheerleaders starting from high school to post-college graduation; it aired as a part of Standing Room Only, a series on the premium-television channel HBO.
Baxter-Birney's next series was Family Ties, on which she played an ex-flower child mother, Elyse Keaton. In reality, she is only fourteen years older than Michael J. Fox, who played her son Alex Keaton. She and co-star Michael Gross (who played her husband Steven) share the exact same birthdate.
In 1986, during her time on Family Ties, Baxter garnered critical acclaim for her dramatic performance as Kate Stark in the well-known NBC television movie Kate's Secret, about a seemingly "perfect" suburban housewife and mother who is secretly suffering from bulimia nervosa.
Following Family Ties, Baxter (whose marriage to Birney ended in 1989) produced and starred in television films. She portrayed a psychopathic kidnapper in The Kissing Place (1990) and 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 a divorcée who was convicted of murder in the shooting of her ex-husband and his young wife.
In 1994, she won[1] a Daytime Emmy Award for her role as a lesbian mother raising a young son, in Other Mothers (1993), a CBS Schoolbreak Special. 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, this time on Spin City, an ABC situation comedy.
In 2005, she began appearing in television commercials for Garden State Life Insurance Company. In 2006, she temporarily co-hosted — with Matt Lauer — Today, the NBC morning news and talk show. In 2007, she made a guest appearance on What About Brian, an ABC drama series. That same year, she also made several appearances as the dying mother of Detective Lilly Rush on Cold Case, a CBS police-procedural series. In 2009, she is guest starring in season two of the web series We Have to Stop Now.[3]
In recent years, Baxter has also created a skin-care line, Meredith Baxter Simple Works,[4] which helps raise funds for her breast cancer research foundation. She is also a spokesperson for Consumer Cellular, a cell phone company advertised as providing a cheaper cell phone alternative for senior citizens.
She currently costars in the cable television sitcom Dan Vs. which airs on The Hub.
Personal life
Baxter has been married three times and has five children. In 1966, she married Robert Lewis Bush and they had two children — Ted (born 1967) and Eva (born 1969); the couple was divorced in 1969. In 1974, she married David Birney and had three children — Kate (born 1974) and twins, Mollie and Peter (born 1984).[5] Following their divorce in 1989, she reverted to using Meredith Baxter. In 1995, she married actor and screenwriter Michael Blodgett; they were divorced in 2000. Baxter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999.[6]Baxter was the guest speaker at the 2008 Southern Commencement for National University in La Jolla, California, and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the university.[7]
In 2009, The National Enquirer reported that Baxter was seen on a lesbian cruise with a female friend. This led to speculation as to whether Baxter was a lesbian or simply enjoying the cruise as a platonic straight friend. On December 2, 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.[8][9] She lives with her partner, Nancy Locke, a general contractor, with whom she has been since 2005. Baxter said she first realized she was a lesbian when she began her first same-sex relationship in 2002.[1][10][11]
On December 17, 2009, TV Guide reported that Baxter would write a memoir. Broadway Books, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, had purchased the rights to Baxter's as-yet-untitled and as-yet-unwritten life story. In the book, Baxter "will present a fully realized portrait of her life as an actress, mother of five children, and grandmother, and will candidly discuss her fight with breast cancer, her 19 years of sobriety, entrepreneurship, and her decision to come out," a press release said.[12] Her memoir, titled Untied, was published in 2011.[13]
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1972 Stand Up and Be Counted Tracy 1972 Ben Eve Garrison 1976 All the President's Men Debbie Sloan 1976 Bittersweet Love Patricia 1990 Jezebel's Kiss Virginia De Leo 1999 Elevator Seeking Ann 2003 Devil's Pond Kate 2005 Paradise Texas Liz Cameron 2005 The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green Harper Green 2008 The Onion Movie Cooking Show Chef direct-to-video release 2010 Airline Disaster President Harriet Franklin post-production Television Year Title Role Notes 1971 The Young Lawyers Gloria 1 episode 1971 The Doris Day Show April 1 episode 1971 The Partridge Family Jenny 1 episode 1972 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law Ann Glover 1 episode 1972–1973 Bridget Loves Bernie Bridget Fitzgerald Steinberg 24 episodes 1973 The Invasion of Carol Enders Carol Enders television film 1973 Doc Elliot Jenny 1 episode 1973 The Cat Creature Rena Carter ABC television film 1974 Barnaby Jones Jenny Sutherland 1 episode 1974 The Stranger Who Looks Like Me Joanne Denver ABC television film 1974 Young Love April CBS television film 1974–1975 Medical Center Paula
Priscilla2 episodes 1975 Target Risk Linda Flayly NBC television film 1975 The Imposter Julie Watson NBC television film 1975 The Streets of San Francisco Jodi Dixon 1 episode 1975 The Night That Panicked America Linda Davis ABC television film 1975 Medical Story Erica Schiff
Sunny2 episodes 1975 McMillan & Wife Faye Leonard 1 episode 1976 City of Angels Mary Kingston 3 episodes 1976 Wide World Mystery 1 episode 1976 Police Woman Liz Robson 1 episode 1976–1980 Family Nancy Lawrence Maitland 45 episodes 1977–1982 The Love Boat Sandy Rytell 3 episodes 1978 Little Women Meg March NBC television film 1979 The Family Man Mercedes Cole CBS television film 1980 Beulah Land Lauretta Pennington NBC miniseries 1981 Vanities Joanne HBO televised presentation of stage production 1981 The Two Lives of Carol Letner Carol Letner CBS television film 1982 Take Your Best Shot Carol Marriner CBS television film 1982–1989 Family Ties Elyse Keaton 171 episodes 1985 The Rape of Richard Beck Barbara McKee ABC television film 1985 Family Ties Vacation Elyse Keaton NBC television film 1986 Kate's Secret Kate Stark NBC television film 1987 The Long Journey Home Maura Wells CBS television film 1988 The Diaries of Adam and Eve Eve television film 1988 Mickey's 60th Birthday Elyse Keaton television special 1988 Winnie Winnie NBC television film 1989 She Knows Too Much Samantha White NBC television film 1990 The Kissing Place Florence Tulane USA Network television film 1990 Burning Bridges Lynn Hollinger ABC television film 1992 A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story Betty Broderick CBS television film 1992 Stolen Love DeeDee ABC Television film 1993 Darkness Before Dawn Mary Ann Guard NBC television film
also co-executive producer1993 CBS Schoolbreak Special - Other Mothers Paula Hensen 1 episode; won a Daytime Emmy Award for her role 1994 For the Love of Aaron Margaret Gibson television film 1994 One More Mountain Margaret Reed ABC television film 1994 My Breast Joyce Wadler CBS television film
also co-executive producer1995 Betrayed: A Story of Three Women Amanda Nelson ABC television film
also co-executive producer1996 The Faculty Flynn Sullivan 1 episode
also executive producer1996 After Jimmy Maggie Stapp television film 1997 Dog's Best Friend Cow (Voice) television film 1997 The Inheritance Beatrice Hamilton television film 1997 Let Me Call You Sweetheart D.A. Kerry McGrath The Family Channel television film 1997 Miracle in the Woods Sarah Weatherby television film 1997 Spin City Macy Flaherty 2 episodes: "Family Affair" (Part 1) and "Family Affair" (Part 2) 1999 Holy Joe Annie Cass CBS television film 1999 Down Will Come Baby Leah Garr CBS television film 1999 Miracle on the 17th Green Susan McKinley CBS television film 2000 The Wednesday Woman Muriel Davidson CBS television film 2001 A Mother's Fight for Justice Terry Stone Lifetime Television film 2001 Aftermath Carol television film 2001 Murder on the Orient Express Mrs. Caroline Hubbard television film 2002 A Christmas Visitor Carol Boyajian Hallmark Channel television film 2003 7th Heaven Mrs. Jones 1 episode: "Go Ask Alice" 2004 Half & Half Joan Tyrell 1 episode 2004 Angel in the Family Lorraine Hallmark Channel television film 2005 The Closer Congresswoman Simmons 1 episode: "Fantasy Date" 2006 Brothers & Sisters Margaret Packard 1 episode: "For the Children" 2006–2007 Cold Case Ellen Rush 5 episodes 2007 What About Brian Frankie 1 episode: "What About All That Glitters..." 2009 Bound by a Secret Ida Mae Hallmark Channel television film 2009 Family Guy Elyse Keaton and herself 2 episodes: "Stew-Roids" and "Family Gay" 2009 Brothers TV Mom 1 episode: "Episode: Commercial – Coach DMV" 2010 We Have to Stop Now Judy Web series
Episode: "The Grass Is Always Greener"2010 RuPaul's Drag U Herself 1 episode: Appeared as a guest judge 2011 Oprah Herself 1 episode 2011 Dan Vs. Elise Sr. 4 episodes 2011 "Family Guy" Carol 1 Episode 2011 "Switched at Birth" Bonnie Tamblyn Dixon Award nominations
Year Award Result Category Series or Film 1977 Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Family 1978 Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Family 1992 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story 1994 21st Daytime Emmy Awards Won Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special CBS Schoolbreak Special - Other Mothers 2007 TV Land Award Nominated Lady You Love to Watch Fight for Her Life in a Movie of the Week - References
- ^ a b c Rao, Vidya (December 2, 2009)"'Family Ties' Mom: ‘I Am a Lesbian’ — Meredith Baxter Says She Has Been Dating Women for the Past Seven Years". Today (via MSNBC). Accessed December 2, 2009.
- ^[verification needed]Staff writer (undated). "Meredith Baxter Biography (1947-)". filmreference.com. Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^ Staff writer (undated). "Season 2", section home page (providing guest star roster) at wehavetostopnow.tv. Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^ meredithbaxterskincare.com home page of Baxter's skin-care company. Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^ Staff writer (undated). "Biography for Meredith Baxter". Turner Classic Movies. Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^[verification needed] Staff writer (January 30, 2009). "Meredith Baxter". Sharing Miracles ("a blog of personal stories of miracles and hope"). Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^ Johnson, Tony (July 28, 2008). "National University Commencement 2008 — Could Be Good, Could Be Bad". The Herald. Accessed December 2, 2009.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^[verification needed]Staff writer (Undated). "Meredith Baxter: I'm a Lesbian". The Plastic Surgery Channel. Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^ Zwecker, Bill (December 2, 2009). "TV Mom Baxter Bares a Big Secret Today — 'Family Ties' Actress Reveals She's Lesbian". Chicago Sun-Times. Accessed December 6, 2009.
- ^ Eng, Joyce (December 17, 2009). "Family Ties Meredith Baxter to Pen Memoir". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Family-Ties-Meredith-1013196.aspx. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:MeredithBaxter,00.html
External links
- Meredith Baxter at the Internet Movie Database
- Meredith Baxter at AllRovi
- Meredith Baxter at the TCM Movie Database
Categories:- 1947 births
- Living people
- 20th-century actors
- 21st-century actors
- Actors from California
- American film actors
- American memoirists
- American television actors
- American television producers
- Breast cancer survivors
- Lesbian actors
- LGBT memoirists
- LGBT people from the United States
- People from Pasadena, California
- People from the Greater Los Angeles Area
- People self-identifying as alcoholics
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