Meredith Ann Baxter (born June 21, 1947), formerly Meredith Baxter Birney, is an American actress.

Baxter was born in South Pasadena, California, the daughter of actress and sitcom creator Whitney Blake and Tom Baxter, a radio announcer. Her stepfather is sitcom writer Allan Manings.

Baxter is best known for her work on two television shows. She first became popular playing the role of Nancy Lawrence Maitland on the television drama Family from 1976 to 1980. She received two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, in 1977 and 1978. The second role is ex-flower child Elyse Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties, which aired from 1982 to 1989. In reality, she was only 14 years older than Michael J. Fox, who played her son, Alex.