Catching up with the Keatons, from Michael J. Fox to Justine Bateman.

Family Ties cast: Where are they now?

Catching up with the Keatons, from Michael J. Fox to Justine Bateman.

By Dylan Kickham

and Kevin Jacobsen

December 26, 2025 12:00 p.m. ET

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Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton, Brian Bonsall as Andy Keaton, Michael Gross as Steven Keaton, Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton, Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton, and Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton on 'Family Ties'. Credit:

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

While American sitcoms have often portrayed parents as more conservative in comparison to their idealistic, liberal-minded children, *Family Ties* cleverly flipped the dynamic. The '80s series starred Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton, a young Republican who often clashed with his ex-hippie parents; throw in a materialistic sister and an athletic-focused youngest sibling, and the dysfunction was high, to say the least.

Fox became a major star in the middle of *Family Ties*' run, having starred in the global smash *Back to the Future* (1985), but his costars have also had thriving careers since the sitcom ended in 1989. Ahead, we check in with the cast behind the Keaton family, revealing what they've been up to in the decades since.

Michael J. Fox (Alex P. Keaton)

Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton in a promotional photo for 'Family Ties'; Michael J. Fox attends the annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC at Cantor Fitzgerald on Sept. 11, 2015, in New York City. Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Noam Galai/Getty Images

Still a relative unknown when *Family Ties* began in the early-'80s, Michael J. Fox was given the part of straitlaced young Republican Alex P. Keaton when Matthew Broderick wasn't available. After the first few episodes, it was clear that Fox was the breakout star of the show.

Fox won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his role on *Family Ties* and quickly became one of the most famous stars of the decade. He was cast to replace Eric Stoltz as protagonist Marty McFly in *Back to the Future*, which was released in 1985 while he was still filming *Family Ties*. The success of these two roles got him several more film jobs, like 1985's *Teen Wolf* and 1999's *Stuart Little*, along with leading television series (*Spin City* and *The Michael J. Fox Show*) and memorable guest star roles (*Curb Your Enthusiasm* and *The Good Fight*, among numerous others).

Fox went public with his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 1998, and has focused his off-screen efforts on education and research on the disease, including founding the Michael J. Fox Foundation to promote these efforts, in the years since. His activism led to him receiving the Oscars' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2022. He is set to return to acting in the third season of Apple TV's *Shrinking *in 2026.

Fox has been married to his wife, actress Tracy Pollan, since 1988. They have four children.

Meredith Baxter (Elyse Keaton)

Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton on 'Family Ties'; Meredith Baxter attends the 42nd annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Universal Hilton Hotel on April 24, 2015, in Universal City, Calif. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Meredith Baxter was best known for her twice-Emmy-nominated role of Nancy Lawrence Maitland on the '70s network drama *Family *when she took on the role of free-spirited mother Elyse Keaton on *Family Ties*.

After *Family Ties* ended, Baxter went on to star in a string of made-for-TV movies, and reprised her role as the mother to a Michael J. Fox character when she guest-starred on *Spin City* in 1997. She released a memoir in 2011 and has since made appearances on *Glee*, *Switched at Birth*, and *The Young and the Restless*.

Baxter has five children. She came out as a lesbian in 2009, marrying her wife, Nancy Locke, in 2013.

Michael Gross (Steven Keaton)

Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton and Michael Gross as Steven Keaton on 'Family Ties'; Michael Gross at the 2015 Monsterpalooza Horror Convention held at the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center on March 28, 2015, in Burbank, Calif. Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Michael Gross had appeared in a few TV movies before *Family Ties*, but it was his role as liberal TV station manager and father Steven Keaton that put him in the spotlight.

After *Family Ties*, Gross became known for his role as eccentric and paranoid survivalist Burt Gummer in the *Tremors* franchise of movies and spinoff TV series. He also appeared on Michael J. Fox's other hit show, *Spin City*, and in multiple episodes of *How I Met Your Mother*, *Suits*, *Grace and Frankie*, and *The Affair*. Gross has popped up in a handful of holiday movies, including *Noelle *(2019), TV movie *A Ring for Christmas* (2020), and Netflix’s *The Merry Gentlemen* (2024).

Gross has been married to Elza Bergeron since 1984, becoming a stepfather to her two children.

Justine Bateman (Mallory Keaton)

Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton on 'Family Ties'; Justine Bateman at Art Los Angeles Contemporary 2015 – Day 3 at Barker Hangar on Jan. 31, 2015, in Santa Monica. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Justine Bateman's first acting role is also her most well-known, as the superficial daughter, Mallory Keaton, on *Family Ties*. Her character highlighted the importance that '80s teens put on their looks, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe and two Emmys for the role.

The former child star went on to do a string of television movies after *Family Ties* wrapped. She's made guest-starring turns on *Desperate Housewives*, *Californication*, and *Psych*, as well as appeared on her brother Jason Bateman's show, *Arrested Development*. Justine hit the big screen in *The Closer* (1990), *Deadbolt *(1992), *The TV Set* (2006), *The Allnighter *(2023), and *Feel* (2025), which she also directed. She helmed her first feature film, *Violet*, in 2021, and has more directorial projects on the way.

In her 40s, Bateman attended UCLA and majored in digital media management and computer science. She often speaks publicly in support of net neutrality and published a shockingly frank book about growing up famous.

Bateman has been married to Mark Fluent since 2001. They have two children together.

Tina Yothers (Jennifer Keaton)

Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton on 'Family Ties'; Tina Yothers at the 2012 TCA Winter press tour held at the Langham Resort on Jan. 10, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Michael Tran/FilmMagic

Tina Yothers started acting at just 3 years old in commercials. She had a couple of small TV gigs in cameo roles and a made-for-TV movie before landing the part of tomboy Jennifer Keaton on *Family Ties* at age 9.

Yothers took a break from acting after *Family Ties* to focus on music, putting together a band with her brother Cory called Jaded in the late-1990s. She has appeared on reality shows like the 2006 season of *Celebrity Fit Club*, *Celebrity Wife Swap* in 2012, and *What Not to Wear* in 2013.

She has two children with her husband, Robert Kaiser.

Brian Bonsall (Andy Keaton)

Brian Bonsall as Andy Keaton on 'Family Ties'; Brian Bonsall at the Hollywood Show held at Westin LAX Hotel on April 9, 2016, in Los Angeles.

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Born the year before *Family Ties* began airing, Brian Bonsall was added to the cast in season 5 as the Keatons' new son, Andy. The role made him a go-to child star of the '80s and '90s, and he won three Young Artist Awards for it.

He went on to star in the 1991 horror film *Mikey* as the title character, and is known in science fiction circles for his role as Alexander Rozhenko on *Star Trek: The Next Generation*. The actor appeared in a few more movies in the '90s, including the 1994 comedy *Blank Check*, but retired in 1995.

Bonsall was arrested on assault charges in Colorado in 2009, and was put on probation in 2010. He came out of retirement in 2018 to act in the short film *Slaughsages* and a 2022 indie film called *You're Melting!*, and is part of the punk band Sunset Silhouette.

In 2017, Bonsall married his wife, Courtney Tuck, with whom he has a son.**

Michael J. Fox's face nearly got him fired from 'Family Ties'

'Family Ties' child star Brian Bonsall details disturbing letters and pictures from inmate

Marc Price (Irwin “Skippy” Handelman)

Marc Price as Irwin 'Skippy' Handelman on 'Family Ties'; Marc Price attends the 9th annual TV Land awards at the Javits Center on April 10, 2011, in New York City. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Marc Price added both humor and heart to *Family Ties* as the Keatons' nerdy neighbor, Irwin "Skippy" Handelman. Skippy was a friend to Alex, an unlikely soulmate to Mallory, and an audience favorite.

Except for a few film roles, Price has moved behind the spotlight as a writer/producer for several TV projects. He also developed a passion for stand-up comedy and appeared on *Last Comic Standing* in 2006, in addition to performing regularly at Harrah’s Las Vegas for more than 15 years.

Scott Valentine (Nick Moore)

Scott Valentine as Nick Moore on 'Family Ties'; Scott Valentine at 'An Evening With Gary David Goldberg and Friends,' held at the Paley Center for Media on Feb. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Scott Valentine landed the role of Mallory's love interest, the environmentalist artist Nick Moore, in the fourth season of *Family Ties*. This prompted a spinoff series, *The Art of Being Nick*, which was not picked up despite good ratings on the pilot.

Following *Family Ties*, Valentine had several guest spots on TV series and roles in made-for-TV movies, including 1992's *Lady Boss*, two episodes of *Murder, She Wrote*, and a 2004 appearance on *CSI: NY*. The star also nabbed film gigs with 1992's *Double Obsession*, 1993's *To Sleep With a Vampire*, and 1998's *Paranoia*. He led the superhero crime series *Black Scorpion* as Det. Steve Rafferty in 2001, after appearing in the 1997 TV movie *Black Scorpion II: Aftershock *as a different character.

He is the managing director at the Excelsior Capital Partner investment firm. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer Wood, since 2021.

Courteney Cox (Lauren Miller)

Courteney Cox as Lauren Miller on 'Family Ties'; Courteney Cox attends a screening of 'Just Before I Go' at ArcLight Hollywood on April 20, 2015, in Hollywood, Calif. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; David Livingston/Getty Images

One of Courteney Cox's very first roles was that of Lauren Miller, Alex's girlfriend for the last two seasons of *Family Ties*. She nabbed the part just a few years after she famously danced in Bruce Springsteen's 1984 music video for "Dancing in the Dark," which has been credited as starting Cox's high-profile acting career.

Of course, most know Cox as Monica Geller from *Friends*, which brought her to celebrity status. She went on to star in the ongoing *Scream* movie franchise, had a recurring role on *Scrubs* in 2009, and played the lead roles of Lucy Spiller on *Dirt*, Jules Cobb on *Cougar Town*, and Pat Phelps on *Shining Vale*. As a director, Cox has helmed multiple episodes of *Cougar Town*, the 2014 feature *Just Before I Go*, the 2021 music video for Brandi Carlile’s “Right on Time,” and the upcoming feature *Evil Genius*, among other projects.

Cox has a daughter with her ex-husband/*Scream* costar David Arquette. She has been in a long-term relationship with musician Johnny McDaid since 2013.**

Tracy Pollan (Ellen Reed)

Tracy Pollan as Ellen Reed on 'Family Ties'; Tracy Pollan attends 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's' event at the Waldorf Astoria on Nov. 22, 2014, in New York City. Gene Arias/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Rob Kim/Getty Images

Before Courteney Cox was brought on, Tracy Pollan played *Family Ties*' Ellen Reed, one of Alex's early love interests. Around the same time she was on the sitcom, Pollan also made headlines for her personal life, as she was dating Kevin Bacon.

Pollan's relationship with Bacon didn't last long, and she soon began dating her *Family Ties* and *Bright Lights, Big City* costar Michael J. Fox. They married in 1988 and are still together today.

Although she's mostly remained out of the limelight, Pollan made a few appearances on *Spin City* and *Medium* and dropped in on a 2013 episode of *The Michael J. Fox Show*, the 2022 miniseries *Inventing Anna*, and the 2025 Hallmark movie *Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story*.

Geena Davis (Karen Nicholson)

Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton and Geena Davis as Karen Nicholson on 'Family Ties'; Geena Davis attends the Theirworld & Astley Clarke summer reception in celebration of charitable partnership at the private residence of the British Consul General in Los Angeles on June 2, 2015. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic

Geena Davis was working as a model and had a gig in the movie *Tootsie* (1982) before appearing on *Family Ties* as the goofy housekeeper, Karen.

Davis went on to star in several major films, including *Thelma & Louise* and *A League of Their Own*. She also reteamed with Michael J. Fox in *Stuart Little*. Davis went on to play the first woman president of the United States in the ABC drama *Commander in Chief*, earning a Golden Globe for the role. She had a 2014 to 2018 arc on *Grey's Anatomy*, popped up in episodes of *GLOW* and *She-Ra and the Princesses of Power*, and made big-screen appearances, including in 2009's *Accidents Happen*, 2013's *In a World...*, 2020's* Ava*, and 2024's *Blink Twice*.

The actress founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media in 2007, receiving a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, like Fox, in 2019. She has been married four times, most recently to Reza Jarrahy, whom she divorced in 2021.

Tom Hanks (Ned Donnelly)

Tom Hanks as Ned Donnelly and Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton on 'Family Ties'; Tom Hanks attends the SeriousFun Children's Network's New York City Gala at Avery Fisher Hall on March 2, 2015, in New York City. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Tom Hanks picked up an early TV credit as Elyse Keaton's younger brother, Ned Donnelly, in the first two seasons of *Family Ties*.

It didn't take long for Hanks to become a bona fide movie star. In the late-'80s and '90s, he made some of his biggest films, including *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993) and *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), winning back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for *Philadelphia* (1993) and *Forrest Gump* (1994).

Hanks continued to add to his filmography with such films as *Captain Phillips* (2013), *Sully* (2016), *A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood* (2019), *Elvis* (2022), and *The Phoenician Scheme* (2025), in addition to playing Woody in the ongoing *Toy Story* franchise.

Hanks has been married to Rita Wilson since 1988. He has four children, including Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks and actor/musician Chet Hanks.

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