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”.
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.
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.
Netflix and Family Ties—When Television Worlds Collide
Netflix and an ‘80s sitcom series—a seemingly unlikely, yet ultimately successful, pairing. When Family Ties first premiered in the 1980s, Netflix was not even a thought for TV viewers. However, this paradigm of classic American sitcom television proved itself just as popular among Netflix users of today’s generation than it was when it first aired back in the ‘80s.
Despite being pulled from Netflix on August 16, 2015, "Family Ties" still managed to reach a whole new generation of young, millennial binge-watchers who were introduced to a classic genre of American television.
“Family Ties”: A Classic Pop Culture Norm Still Relevant Today
Despite the many years since its premiere, this show is still as popular and relevant today as it was back in the ‘80s. The sitcom’s longstanding legacy and ageless acclaim has maintained its fanbase over the years and is now largely seen as a classic among television viewers young and old.
Even decades after the show’s initial release, Family Ties continues to be part of today’s pop culture, still being referenced across a range of media platforms, and in modern-day music, TV shows, and movies.