Tracy Pollan

Tracy Jo Pollan Fox (born June 22, 1960[1]) is an American actress and author. She is known for playing Ellen Reed on the NBC sitcom Family Ties (1985–1987) and Harper Anderson on the crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2000), for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Tracy Pollan
Pollan at the 39th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1987.
Born
Tracy Jo Pollan

(1960-06-22) June 22, 1960 (age 64)
Long Island, New York, US
Occupations
  • Actress
  • author
Years active1980–present
Spouse
(m. 1988)
Children4
RelativesMichael Pollan (brother)

Pollan married actor and activist Michael J. Fox in 1988, and has since occasionally acted. In film, she has starred in the dramas Baby It's You (1983) and Promised Land (1987), the tragedy Bright Lights, Big City (1988) and the crime drama A Stranger Among Us (1992). Her other television credits include two episodes of Spin City (1997–1998) and TV films such as First to Die (2003), Natalee Holloway (2009) and Justice for Natalee Holloway (2011).

Early life

Pollan was born to a Jewish family on June 22, 1960[1][2] on Long Island.[3] Her parents are Corky and Stephen Pollan, and she has a brother, Michael.[4][5][6] She attended Syosset High School, and graduated from the Dalton School in Manhattan, New York. She studied acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio and the Lee Strasberg Institute.[7][8]

Personal life

Pollan with husband Michael J. Fox at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1988.

Pollan met Michael J. Fox while working on Family Ties, and after beginning a relationship during the production of Bright Lights, Big City, they married on July 16, 1988.[9][10][11] She then lessened her acting workload to focus on her marriage and family.[12] They have four children together: a son, Sam; twin daughters, Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances; and a daughter, Esmé Annabelle.[13][14] They reside in Manhattan.[15]

Publications

In October 2014, Pollan, along with her two sisters and mother, co-authored The Pollan Family Table, a cookbook of family recipes, kitchen tips and cooking techniques.[16][17] The foreword was written by her brother, Michael.[18]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Baby It's YouLeslie
1987Promised LandMary Daley
1988Bright Lights, Big CityVicky Allagash
1992A Stranger Among UsMara

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982For Lovers OnlyTelevision film
1983SessionsLeslie
Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar KillerEileen Grafton
1984A Good SportSuzanne
The Baron and the KidMary Beth Phillips
ABC Afterschool SpecialJen RobbinsEpisode: "The Great Love Experiment"
1986The Little SisterNicki DavisTelevision film
1985–1987Family TiesEllen ReedRecurring role
1986American PlayhouseNicki DavisEpisode: "The Little Sister"
1987The Abduction of Kari SwensonKari SwensonTelevision film
A Special FriendshipElizabeth Van Lew
1990The Kennedys of MassachusettsKathleen KennedyMiniseries; main role
Fine ThingsElizabeth Kathleen "Liz" O'ReillyTelevision film
1993Dying to Love YouLisa Ann Rohn
1994Children of the DarkKim Harrison
1997–1998Spin CityRenee Miller2 episodes
1999Anna SaysAnnaTelevision pilot; also executive producer
2000Law & Order: Special Victims UnitHarper AndersonEpisodes: "Closure" and "Closure, Part 2"
2003Hench at HomeKay HenchTelevision film
First to DieLindsay Boxer
2009MediumCaitlyn LynchEpisode: "How to Make a Killing in Big Business"
Natalee HollowayBeth HollowayTelevision film
2010Law & Order: Criminal IntentPatricia CarusoEpisode: "Traffic"
2011Justice for Natalee HollowayBeth HollowayTelevision film
2013The Michael J. Fox ShowKellyEpisode: "Neighbor"
2016NightcapHerselfEpisode: "The Cannon"
2020Goodbye, Jonathan!BarbaraEpisode: "The Creator"
2022Inventing AnnaSherry ReedEpisode: "A Wolf in Chic Clothing"

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1980–1981AlbumPeggyCherry Lane Theatre
1985Pack of LiesJulie JacksonRoyale Theatre
1988Woman in MindLucyNew York City Center
1992Jake's WomenMolly (age 21)Neil Simon Theatre

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Tracy Pollan
AwardYearCategoryNominated workResultRef.
Golden Raspberry Awards1993Worst Supporting ActressA Stranger Among UsNominated[19]
Primetime Emmy Awards2000Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitNominated[20]

References