Happy 64th Birthday to Meredith Baxter!

For seven years, Meredith Baxter played the liberal Elyse Keaton on the classic comedy Family Ties – mother of a TV brood that included Michael J. Fox as her conservative son Alex.

Meredith, Emmy-nominated star for her previous TV role as Nancy on the ABC drama Family, first came to fame in the early 70s on the TV series Bridget Loves Bernie opposite David Birney who she would later marry.

The marriage to Birney ended decades ago and in late 2009, the three-times divorced Meredith – a mother of five children – announced to the world that she is a lesbian.

Her recent memoir, Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame and Floundering, looks at her turbulent journey which includes a traumatic childhood, low self-esteem and a drinking problem.

By being honest with her struggles, Baxter hopes to inspire others to forgive themselves and get support.

“It’s hard to imagine, but even in the dark times, some wonderful things emerged,” she told the Chicago Tribune this month ” I have five beautiful children. I’m in a loving relationship now. I’m trying to surrender to the things I can’t control. If one person hears my story and makes a better choice, it’s worth it.”

Happy birthday to a real survivor!