16 ‘Family Ties’ Facts All Michael J. Fox Fans Should Know

13. Then they had to deal with Courteney Cox rumors

When Courteney Cox joined the show as Alex’s girlfriend Lauren Miller, the rumors began that Michael had broken up with Tracy for Courteney, but they all pretty much ignored it. In 1987 Michael said: “People always want to read there’s romance when it’s just two actors having a good time working with each other. I’m having a great personal relationship with Tracy and a great professional relationship with Courtney.”

14. Brian Bonsall got the role on his first TV audition

Brian Bonsall booked the role of Andrew “Andy” Keaton on his first TV audition after doing some commercials. He beat out 500 other child actors for the role. Since the show he has had a few arrests, including one for assaulting a girlfriend and one for hitting a friend with a stool.

15. The Show Had a Lot of Famous Guest Stars

Lots of famous (or soon-to-be famous) faces passed by the Family Ties set throughout the years – including a few future Oscar winners. This list includes Christina Applegate, River Phoenix, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Crispin Glover (Fox’s Back to the Future dad) Geena Davis and Tom Hanks.