Untied

A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering

By: Meredith Baxter

Narrated by: Meredith Baxter

I remember Sarah asking me, when I’d just begun therapy with her, what I looked for in a man.

After a few moments of silent, tense deliberation I had it.

"Hair", I blurted. "He has to have hair".

Meredith Baxter is a beloved and iconic television actress, most well-known for her enormously popular role as hippie mom, Elyse Keaton, on Family Ties. Her warmth, humor, and brilliant smile made her one of the most popular women on television, with millions of viewers following her on the small screen each week. Yet her success masked a tumultuous personal story and a harrowing private life. For the first time, Baxter is ready to share her incredible highs, (working with Robert Redford, Doris Day, Lana Turner, and the cast of Family Ties), and lows (a thorny relationship with her mother, a difficult marriage to David Birney, a bout with breast cancer), finally revealing the woman behind the image.

From her childhood in Hollywood, growing up the daughter of actress and co-creator of One Day at a Time Whitney Blake, Baxter became familiar with the ups and downs of show business from an early age. After wholeheartedly embracing the 60's counterculture lifestyle, she was forced to rely on her acting skills after her first divorce left her a 22-year-old single mother of two. Baxter began her professional career with supporting roles in the critically panned horror film Ben, and in the political thriller All the President's Men.

More lucrative work soon followed on the small screen. Baxter starred with actor David Birney as the title characters in controversial sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. While the series only lasted a year, her high-profile romance with Birney lasted 15 volatile and unhappy years. Hiding the worst of her situation from even those closest to her, Baxter’s career flourished as her self-esteem and family crumbled. Her successful run as Nancy on Family was followed by her enormously popular role on Family Ties, and dozens of well-received television movies.

After a bitter divorce and custody battle with Birney, Baxter increasingly relied on alcohol as a refuge, and here speaks candidly of her decision to take her last drink in 1990. And while another ruinous divorce to screenwriter Michael Blodgett taxed Baxter’s strength and confidence, she has emerged from her experiences with the renewed self-assurance, poise, and understanding that have enabled her to find a loving, respectful relationship with Nancy Locke, and to speak about it openly.

Told with insight, wit, and disarming frankness, Untied is the eye-opening and inspiring life of an actress, a woman, and a mother who has come into her own.

©2011 Meredith Baxter (P)2011 Random House Audio

Not quite as expected

Meredith's mother issues plague this story. Not having a mother's love leads to low self esteem, leads to becoming a victim. Sad story but provides insight.

Fascinating Honest Insightful Relatable Life Story of a Courageous Woman

I was surprised by how relatable each of Meredith’s stories, feelings and perceptions were to my own. Celebrity doesn’t shield you from abuse, loss, financial hardships, co dependency, break ups, and earning for love. Her words were confirmation of lessons I’ve learned recently on how I show up in the world, broken and victim(even though just internalized), it has effected every relationship. This is a well told story with Im sure a happy beginning of her third act. Meredith’s narration is as superb as her talented acting ability. I recently enjoyed binge watching the TV series Family. It was interesting to hear all of her back stories on tv series and movies she has starred in. She was courageous and inspiring.

Elyse Keaton was drunk half the time

...and that is why you will enjoy this memoir. Poor Meredith Baxter was truly falling apart on camera for a good part of her life! Don't even get me started on her Lifetime TV dramas era! But MB tells it like it is, sparing no painful detail. it'll make you cringe, laugh and shake your head. She's a sweetheart who has written a very engrossing book. But I grew up on 'Family Ties' so maybe I'm biased. No, it's really good.

What a life!

Very interesting story! Elyse Keaton is a mere blip in this woman’s life so Family Ties Fans might not be satisfied.

Overall, it was very candid and compelling – a fascinating celebrity bio.

A great listen

I just listened to this on a very long road trip and loved every minute. I found myself not wanting to stop at rest areas because I didn't want to push pause. Her story is an interesting one and she has written it beautifully. She also has a wonderful voice for reading audiobooks. If you had a neglectful mother or parents who divorced or an abusive spouse or alcohol issues....you will find this very relate-able and her insight is wonderful. I've always liked Meredith, since her Bridget Loves Bernie days, and have followed her career with interest. My admiration for has grown exponentially as a result of listening to this book. I highly recommend it!

Truth be told

Engagingly fascinating and thought provoking and an opening into the world of actors. Thank you Meredith for telling your story. Blessings

Great Listen

Thank you, Meredith, for sharing your story with us! Honest, open and touching. Loved it.

Very interesting life story

This book seems like an outline of a book unfinished. But then after finishing I realized Meredith is this person in the story, simply trying to find care & support in her life. Her story is very simple. I chose to read this to see how she quit drinking. It was easy for her to stop because that wasn’t really her problem. She just needed love, respect, and to be treated decently by her life partner. The men in her life were so self centered and troubled, just as she was then. I’m glad her kids turned out well and she finally found love & support. This could have ended sadly but AA is where she found her self respect which gave her life the balance it needed.

Give her credit

Yes, anyone can accuse a star who writes an autobiography after they’ve done something controversial of just doing a money grab. And most are probably guilty. But I do give Meredith credit, since she didn’t seem to hold back much. Like many of the previous reviews, those that are wanting a “Family Ties tell – all“ will be disappointed, because it’s only one or two chapters of the book. But if you give this book a chance, you will definitely see that as well - rounded, and she lays it all out. Those that don’t want to hear about her homosexuality will likely want to skip the last couple of chapters, but you will be deprived of finding out the final dimension of who she is. Good read.

Raw, Honest and Heartfelt

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend audiobook to a friend. It's a nice alternative to turning pages, and it allows be to do other things while I listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Untied?

What stands out most to me is her lonely childhood experiences: as a small child coming home from school, calling her mother's name and her mother not answering because Meredith had called her "Mommy" instead of Whitney. Having to call her selfish, uncaring mother by her first name was heart-breaking --and it set the stage for the dysfunctional relationship they would have throughout their lives.

What about Meredith Baxter’s performance did you like?

She did an excellent job of narrating. Her voice and tone are clear and concise, and she knows how to capture an audience. It's storytelling at its best. It probably helped that she is an actor as well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's an emotionally compelling autobiography. I felt joy, sadness, angry and compassion.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's a well written book.