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. Meredith made a seamless transition to drama after seven years as one of America's favorite sitcom stars and quickly became 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.
Over the past few years, Meredith has made over 50 movies for television. Some of the most notable include: Winnie, the extraordinary true story of a retarded woman struggling for her own voice to be heard. Darkness Before Dawn, the true, painful train-wreck-of-a-story about a woman desperate to end her drug and alcohol addiction. My Breast, a black comedy about the true story of journalist Joyce Wadlers successful battle with breast cancer. After Jimmy, for award winning director Glenn Jordan, the story of a mother who must come to terms with the suicide of her eldest child.
For a few years, Meredith was a force behind the camera as well. She formed her own production company to develop and produce her own material. Under her own banner, Baxter executive-produced her last TV series, The Faculty for ABC. She was executive producer 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.
On the stage, Baxter's credits include Spine, Butterflies Are Free, Guys and Dolls, Talley's Folly, and many different productions of Love Letters in theaters across the country. She starred in The Country Wife, and appeared and co-produced the stage presentation of The Diaries of Adam and Eve. This production was later taped from a Dallas stage for broadcast on PBS. The production of Vanities in which Meredith starred was taped from the stage and broadcast on HBO.
Meredith 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. Meredith was involved with The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence and lobbied extensively on behalf of the Brady Bill, the National Crime Bill and gun control measures. Meredith also been worked with members of the California Senate and Assembly on state legislative matters.
Over the last few years, Meredith developed a line of skin care products. The initial intention had been to correct her own dry skin problem; the product was so good, however, that she decided to bring it to the public. The original line was test-marketed with great success on the Home Shopping Network for one year. After much urging, Meredith developed a full gift line of skin care products, as well. These products are available in fine gift stores around the country. Because life has been kind to Meredith, she 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 all her skin care products go to the Meredith Baxter Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
Meredith is the mother of five children. The youngest, twins, Mollie and Peter, are now attending college on the east coast.
Meredith Baxter, Emmy-nominated actress and Breast Cancer Awareness Advocate, is available through IMG Speakers Bureau for speaking engagements. Meredith Baxter is also available for corporate hospitality events, meet and greets, celebrity appearances, healthcare events and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Meredith Baxter.
