Tracy Pollan is an American-Canadian actress who became famous for appearing in thirteen episodes of the TV show, Family Ties, which aired on NBC between 1982 and 89. In its heydays, Family Ties was watched by one-third of America’s households weekly. Since that time, she has gone on to feature in various films and TV shows. Aside from being an actress, Pollan is also a proud wife to the famous actor and comedian Michael J Fox and is the mother of their four adult children.
Just like her husband, Tracy is also an author. Of late, she has not appeared in as many films and productions as she has done in the much distant past. Because of this, there have been many speculations on whether or not she has finally walked away from her acting career of decades.
Tracy Pollan’s Acting Career Began In The 1980s
Tracy Pollan started her acting career in 1980 when she first appeared in the play, Album. She later debuted in the 1982 film, For Lovers Only. The following year, she appeared in the TV films, Baby It’s You, Sessions and Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer. Pollan also appeared in an episode of the TV series ABC Afterschool Special (1984). In the same year, she appeared in TV films like A Good Sport and The Baron and the Kid. She was then cast in the situation comedy Family Ties, appearing in 13 episodes of the 15-episode series.
Within this period, she starred as Julie Jackson in Pack of Lies, a play that was staged at the Royale Theatre. In 1986, Pollan was cast in the TV film, The Little Sister, and on one episode of American Playhouse as Nicki Davis. The following year, she appeared in the films The Abduction of Kari Swenson, A Special Friendship, and Promised Land. She then played Lucy in Woman in Mind.
Between 1990 and 1999, Tracy Pollan continued to feature in television films such as Fine Things (1990), A Stranger Among Us (1992), Dying to Love You (1993), Children of the Dark (1994), Anna Says (1999), and TV series such as The Kennedys of Massachusetts (1990), Spin City (‘97/‘98), and Jake’s Women (1992). Beginning from 2000 until 2017, Pollan made appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2000), the television films Hench at Home (2003), First to Die (2003), Natalee Holloway (2009), and Justice for Natalee Holloway (2011).
She also appeared on the TV series Medium (2009), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2010), The Michael J. Fox Show (2013), Nightcap (2016), and as a guest in the 2017 Oscars. But it doesn’t end just in films. In October of 2014, Tracy Pollan, alongside her two sisters and their mom, co-authored The Pollan Family Table, a cookbook of family recipes, kitchen tips, and cooking techniques.
Things Have Been Slow For Her, But Tracy Is Still In The Business of Acting
The 1980s and 1990s have been some busy years for the delectable actress. In the said periods, she got involved in more than 22 films and TV shows in total, including some of the works that would bring her to the limelight and ensure her name is never forgotten. The 2000s have seen her taking fewer roles as an actress with only two TV show roles to her name, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at the turn of the millennium, which earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
She also had only 3 TV film roles to her credit. The actress would even have her name on much fewer productions in the 2010s, taking part in only five works. With her last work going back to 2013 when she appeared in The Michael J. Fox Show as Kelly, one cannot help but understand why there have been many speculations on whether or not the actress has finally called it a day and retired. That said, she is still yet to officially give any indication that she has retired from show business. She made guest appearances in Nightcap (2016) and the 2020 short film, Good Grief.
The past few years have seen her put more effort into her family, as well as the activism that both she and her husband have got into. The two founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which they continue to run. In 2019, she revealed that her youngest child would be off to college, and she would get the opportunity to do some traveling with her husband. She did not, however, reveal if she will also return to acting.
She Has Been Married To Michael J Fox For Over Three Decades
It is not only in her career that Tracy Pollan has been successful, her personal and family life is even more successful. Unlike most other marriages in Hollywood, her marriage to her darling, Michael J Fox, has sustained for more than three decades. The two first met while filming for Family Ties. She portrayed his girlfriend, Ellen, on the show. While she was 25 at the time, she was brought in to act as his 18-years old girlfriend, while at 24, he acted as a 19-years old.
At the time, they were both seeing other people, and so they didn’t give it a thought to go out with each other although the actor was smitten by her charm and beauty. More so, the actress couldn’t deny the fact that he was funny, but at the same time, she thought he was cocky. Only after a season, Tracy departed the show, but they would meet together again two years later to work on the film, Bright Lights Big City. This time, he decided to take his shot by asking her about her relationship as he still had feelings for her.
She was single and so he asked her out on a date. After a few years of a successful relationship, the couple tied the knot. They got married on July 16, 1988, at West Mountain Inn in Arlington, Vermont. Only three years into their marriage, the Back To The Future actor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. All through this, and his alcoholism, Tracy remained by his side. Together, they have four children, namely Sam Michael (b. May 30, 1989), twin daughters, Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances (b. February 15, 1995), and daughter, Esmé Annabelle (b. November 3, 2001). The family resides in Manhattan, New York.
Michael J. Fox Is Even A Bigger Name Than His Wife
Pollan’s husband, Michael J. Fox, was born Michael Andrew Fox OC on June 9, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. An actor, comedian, author, film producer, and activist, he was brought up by his mother, Phyllis, who was also an actress and his father, William Fox, who was a police officer. He got his education from Burnaby Central Secondary School.
He got his start as an actor at the age of 15 when he appeared in Leo and Me. After the Canadian TV series, he moved to Los Angeles when he was 18 and continued his acting career. Fox appeared in many films and TV shows after he got his first big break in 1985 when he appeared in Back to the Future. He would later also become a director and producer.
He appeared in films such as Family Ties, Spin City, The Frighteners, The Good Wife, and Back to the Future Part II, among many others. Fox has won many awards in his career, including the Aftonbladet TV Prize Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album, Primetime Emmy Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tracy Pollan’s Career Has Given Her A Generous Net Worth
Tracy Pollan’s four decades of acting have etched an incredible track record for her in the entertainment space, with lots of credit to show for it, including some enviable millions. Her main earnings have come from her acting career, although her writings have also added to her fortune.
According to sources, her net worth is estimated at $20 million. While that’s no chicken feed, it quickly fizzles out when compared to her husband’s $65 million fortune.