We can also add the beautiful and talented Christina Applegate to the list of star guest appearances! On “Family Ties” Applegate took on the role of Kitten, who was an addition to Jennifer’s band. Since then, Applegate has gone on to establish herself as a successful actress in Hollywood, starting with the career-changing role of Kelly Bundy on the FOX sitcom “Married…with Children”.
In the world of film, Applegate’s credits include Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, The Sweetest Thing, Anchorman, Hall Pass, and yes, even Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. Applegate has won a number of awards and nominations, including four Emmy nominations, and an Emmy award for ‘Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series” in 2003, for her role as Amy Green in the hit NBC comedy series, “Friends.”
The Joseph Gordon-Levitt Experience
A very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt also appeared on the series, in not just one, but two episodes of “Family Ties". Playing the role of Dougie—a friend of Andrew’s (the youngest child of the Keaton family), Gordon-Levitt was seven-years-old at the time the episodes were shot. Though he may not have known it at the time, Gordon-Levitt would go on to have a truly iconic acting career.
Since his role on “Family Ties”, Gordon-Levitt went on to play roles in box office hits, including Inception and (500) Days of Summer. Additionally, many more would come to know and recognize Gordon-Levitt for his role on over 100 episodes of “3rd Rock from the Sun,” where he took on the role of extraterrestrial teenager Tommy Solomon.
River Phoenix Also Appeared on the Show
River Phoenix was another celebrity appearance on “Family Ties”. Featured in one 1985 episode of the show, a 15-year old Phoenix took on the role of Eugene Forbes, a 14-year old mathematical prodigy responsible for tutoring Alex.
Sadly, just 8 years later, Phoenix tragically passed away at the young age of 23.
Even David Faustino Made an Appearance
Like Applegate, Faustino also began his career with an appearance on “Family Ties,” which, many years later, would land him a role alongside Applegate on the TV show, “Married…with Children.” During his time on “Family Ties,” Faustino played the role of little Keith Bailey—a role he secured in 1983.
Beyond “Family Ties” and “Married…with Children,” Faustino has also acted in a wide array of TV shows, including “Entourage”—in which he plays himself—, as well as the character Tater on one 2013 episode of “Modern Family”
Crispin Glover Was Also on "Family Ties"
Like “Family Ties” actor Michael J. Fox, Crispin Glover—who played the role of Doug, a friend of Alex’s, on the show—also appeared in the blockbuster movie, “Back to the Future,” acting alongside Fox in this hit film. Beyond his roles in “Back to the Future” and “Family Ties”, Glover also went on to act in a number of other movies, including Hot Tub Time Machine, and Charlie’s Angels.
Additionally, Glover also established himself as a recognized and talented director. In 2013, he got recognition for his work by New York City’s Museum of Arts and Design. More recently, Crispin is credited with the role of Mr. World on the television series, “American Gods” (2017-2019).