Printable Biography of Meredith Baxter

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In film, television and on stage, Meredith Baxter is noted for her accessible portrayals of intelligent, independent women who struggle with the challenges before them. Baxter achieved success early in her career with a string of hit television series including "Bridget Loves Bernie," the critically-acclaimed drama "Family," and most notably, the long-running and extremely popular "Family Ties." She then made a seamless transition to drama after seven years as one of America's favorite sitcom stars, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after actors for television movies.

Baxter relishes the challenge of characters in stories that evoke thought, even antagonism, and is often courageous in her choice of roles. In 1991, she earned an Emmy nomination for her performance as the lead character in "A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story." She reprised her acclaimed role in "Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, The Last Chapter." In 1993, Baxter earned another Emmy nomination for her performance in the CBS School Break Special, "Other Mothers," portraying the lesbian mother of a teenager who encounters prejudice.

A force behind the camera as well, Baxter formed her own production company to develop and produce her own material, and currently has several television projects in various stages of development. Under her own banner, Baxter executive-produced the television series "The Faculty" for ABC. She has served in the same capacity on a number of her movies for television, including "My Breast," "Betrayed: The Story of Three Women," "Darkness Before Dawn", and "The Long Journey Home."

Baxter has devoted much of her time to speaking out on issues about which she is passionate. A champion of women's rights, she is an active supporter of NARAL and Planned Parenthood. For her work on "My Breast," she received a special award for public awareness from the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Baxter is a member of the board of The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence and has lobbied extensively on behalf of the Brady Bill, the National Crime Bill and gun control measures. She has also worked with members of the California Senate and Assembly on state legislative matters.

Because life has been kind to her, Baxter was looking for a way to share the good fortune. She decided to take her concern about breast cancer prevention into the business area. She created a foundation and arranged that a portion of the profits from the sales of her line of skin care products goes to the Meredith Baxter Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. The intent is that funding will go toward prevention and research, including the funding of free mammograms for low-income women.