Person Biography:
Meredith Baxter is a renowned American actress, born in 1947 in South Pasadena, California. She is best known for her iconic television roles in the 1970s and 1980s.
Early Life:
Baxter's parents, Tom Baxter and Whitney Blake, were both in the entertainment industry. Her maternal grandfather, Harry C. Whitney, was an agent for the United States Secret Service and had served as a bodyguard to President Woodrow Wilson. Baxter's parents divorced in 1953, and her mother remarried twice, with Baxter maintaining a close relationship with her second stepfather until his death.
Career:
Baxter began her acting career in the 1960s, appearing in various television shows and films. Her breakthrough role came in 1972 when she played Bridget Fitzgerald in the sitcom "Bridget Loves Bernie." The show was controversial due to its depiction of an interfaith marriage and was canceled after a single season.
Baxter's subsequent roles included Nancy Lawrence in the family drama "Family" (1976-1980) and Elyse Keaton in the hit sitcom "Family Ties" (1982-1989). She was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards for her performances and became a household name during the 1980s.
In the 1990s, Baxter continued to appear in television films and series, including "Kate's Secret" (1986),"The Kissing Place" (1990),and "A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story" (1992). She was nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award, for her performances.
In the 2000s, Baxter's roles became less prominent, but she continued to appear in various television shows, including "Cold Case" (2003-2010) and "The Young and the Restless" (1973-). She also published her memoir, "Untied," in 2011, which revealed previously unknown details about her personal and family life.
Personal Life:
Baxter has been married four times and has five children. Her marriages have been marked by controversy, including her allegations of physical abuse by her ex-husband David Birney. In 2009, Baxter publicly came out as a lesbian and married her partner, Nancy Locke, in 2013.
Legacy:
Meredith Baxter has had a long and illustrious career, with iconic roles in some of television's most beloved shows. Despite never winning a major acting award, she remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and continues to be recognized for her contributions to television.
