The Legendary Career of Michael J. Fox
Following his breakout role on Family Ties, Fox went on to have a very fruitful career in acting. He not only landed lead roles on several TV shows but also broke into the very difficult realm of cinema. Today, Fox’s legendary career is defined by many big-screen roles, and he has become one of the most recognizable and iconic faces in Hollywood.
Sadly, unlike Fox, who eventually dominated the Hollywood scene as one of the most sought after actors in the business, not all of the Family Ties cast members were so lucky later on in life. Indeed, for many of the show’s stars—especially the younger ones—the increasing pressures of fame would ultimately lead to their downfall.
The Differing Ages—and Views—of The Keaton Kids
The above theme is exhibited in the children of the Keaton family, whose varying ages reflect each individual’s differing views and opinions on life. Alex Keaton was a young Republican. Mallory Keaton was very materialistic. Jennifer Keaton was a tomboy, wanting nothing more in life than to be a normal kid. And the youngest of them all, Andrew Keaton was a boy very much influenced and shaped by his brother Alex’s attitude and actions.
Indeed, other than sharing a common last name and living under the same roof, not one Keaton kid was identical to the other.
Michael J. Fox: The Unintended Main Character of the Show
Though it may come as a shock to many of you die-hard fans out there, in reality, when the show first went on air, Fox's character was not actually meant to be the main character of the series. However, it was not long before he took the lead. Over the years, as the show carried on and developed, Fox became the star of the series.
In fact, it was his role in Family Ties that would later prove to be instrumental in the launch of his multi-decade career as a highly successful, widely recognized, a-list actor. Today, Fox is still a prominent figure in show business and is one of the most famous faces among the Hollywood acting scene.
Recipient of One of Canada’s Most Prestigious Awards
While widely known and praised for his acting work, Fox is also a prominent figure in the non-profit world. Indeed, as a leading advocate in the fight to cure Parkinson’s Disease, today he is seen as not just an actor, but also a philanthropist. In 2000, Fox launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Since its founding, this highly successful, widely established non-profit organization has raised over $450 million for Parkinson’s research.
This selflessness and passion to help others are recognized not just by those in the general public, but also by his home nation of Canada. In 2011, the Canadian-born actor was awarded the Order of Canada Award—the second-highest award given by the country, and the nation’s “highest civil honor”—for his contributions to the arts and Parkinson’s disease research.
Famous Guest Stars On the Show, Before They Were Famous
While the familiar, beloved faces of the main characters and recurring roles on the set of Family Ties were irreplaceable, it is interesting to highlight the myriad of celebrity cameo appearances scattered throughout the episodes. Interestingly enough, though the series did boast a long, illustrious list of a-list celebrity actors and actresses, we should point out that these stars appeared on the show long before they were actually famous.
Many celebrities—including the likes of Tom Hanks (as Uncle Ned), Geena Davis (as Karen), Christina Applegate (as Kitten), Corey Feldman, and many more—first appeared on the set of Family Ties. Only after appearing in this classic American sitcom did these starlets go on to rise to a life of fame and fortune. Read on to discover just a few of the many stars that appeared on “Family Ties".