The Leading Ladies Of Family Ties Are Still So Stunning Today

Each of the leading ladies of "Family Ties" is stunning in their own way. What began as humble beginnings on the '80s sitcom has evolved into what we see today: an age progression of eye-catching beauty that's only gotten better with time. Actor Meredith Baxter began starring on the show in her mid-thirties. Meanwhile, industry newcomers at the time, Tina Yothers and Justine Bateman were just nine and 16 years old respectively when the show began filming. Tracy Pollan was in her mid twenties when she first appeared on the show as a recurring chac

Older women radiate confidence with these five habits, and for the leading ladies of "Family Ties", they not only embody them but have set an example for peers and fans on what confidence in yourself can truly look like as you age. Throughout each of these women's journeys, including with their real-life partners, we've been able to watch them on film and during different industry appearances to see how they've truly changed and embraced aging. Seeing each of them today reminds us that aging beautifully doesn't have to rely on cosmetic surgery or anti-aging secrets. It can be found in the simple embrace of the aging process. 

Starring as the mother of the household, Meredith Baxter played Elyse Keaton on "Family Ties," where she could be seen corralling her family and tending to her husband. As a hippie singer who pivoted careers to be an architect, Baxter typically was seen on the show with her blonde hair pulled back into a bun with light bangs. Her attire would often be business professional, but still showed a level of uniqueness through pleated pants and button-down blouses. 

These days, Baxter wears one of the six low-maintenance haircuts perfect for older women, which allows her cheekbones and jawline to shine in all their glory. In a 2014 interview on Oprah Winfrey's "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", Baxter shared her experience of a producer suggesting she have a facelift as more of her Hollywood peers got cosmetic work done. "The producer came up to me and said, 'Meredith, unless you get a lift, you are only going to be able to work with other women who have not had a lift. As soon as you work with someone who has had some surgery done, you look horrible," Baxter explained during the interview. She proceeded to share her understanding of what individuals choose to improve themselves and her overall decision to hone her own methods in doing so. 

Known on "Family Ties" as Mallory Keaton, Justine Bateman played the oldest daughter of the family, where she was typically seen butting heads with her brother and providing comedic relief to the show. While her hair could often be seen styled with bows, scrunchies, and headbands, the volume of her hair still pushed through, feeding the hair trends of the time. Today, Bateman's core facial features still stand out in the best ways possible as she's aged. 

Despite the actor embracing natural aging, social media and other critics still made negative comments about her appearance, causing Bateman to reflect on her . "I saw those people attacking my face, and I was like, 'What, really?' I really let it mess with my head. I had to go in and look at what fears did I have with regards to that. So I wanted to look at what are the fears in society that become anchors for us as a whole," Bateman told Scary Mommy in 2021. Her feelings were so strongly about the issue that she even published a book that highlighted the stories of other women faced with aging criticism called "Face: One Square Foot of Skin." 

Before Tracy Pollan's role in "The Michael J. Fox Show", she became a recurring guest star on "Family Ties" as Ellen Reed. Beyond her character being known as a love interest for Alex Keaton (played by Michael J. Fox), her style and personality were what made her so memorable on screen. Much of Pollan's beauty seen today can be credited to professional eyebrow shaping by Eliza Petrescu and a mostly plant-based diet, which Pollan has credited for her health journey from the inside out.  

Pollan's embrace of a mostly plant-based diet, pairing with natural aging over other anti-aging methods, is what makes her inspiring to others. Her diet primarily focuses on nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. She even released a cookbook along with her sisters and mother called "Mostly Plants: The Pollan Family Cookbook," where they discussed a flexitarian diet, which implements elements of being vegetarian, eating plant-based foods, and the occasional consumption of meat. Pollan has also been seen wearing lighter makeup throughout her career through muted lip shades and neutral tones for a softer look. 

Tina Yothers played Jennifer Keaton on "Family Ties," where her character was known for being witty and curious about life. From the beginning of the show as a child to a teenager, fans watched her grow up on and off camera. On the show, she could typically be seen in sporty attire with her blonde hair often styled straight or in a ponytail or pigtails. However, after the show, Yothers has experimented with her look beyond her childhood stardom. 

For example, she eventually dyed her hair jet black and swapped her brighter clothing for darker clothing after the show concluded. While the transition surprised fans, Yothers' beauty still shined through as she amplified her facial features with eyeliner, lightly filled eyebrows, and blush placed on her cheekbones for the right amount of lift. She even admitted during her appearance on TLC's "What Not to Wear" that she hadn't found her personal style after years of working on set with a stylist. In recent years, she has transitioned back to a dark blonde, making occasional public appearances.