[quote]I know he was famous from the show, but was MJF considered a superstar from the show alone? Or was it Back to the Future that put him on the A List?

FAMILY TIES made him a household name and A-lister on TV, but BACK TO THE FUTURE made him a movie star.

Before TIES, he had done a couple TV movies (LETTER FROM FRANK, TROUBLE IN HIGH TIMBER COUNTRY), guest-starred on TV shows (TRAPPER JOHN, M.D., LOU GRANT, FAMILY, THE LOVE BOAT, NIGHT COURT), and a short-lived drama (PALMERSTOWN, U.S.A.).

But he was unknown when he was cast in TIES. In fact, the parents were originally going to be the focus of the show, but the kids, especially Fox, were the breakout stars. The same thing happened with VALERIE. Valerie Harper was supposed to be the focus, but Jason Bateman stole her thunder, and the focus shifted to him and the brothers.

Anyway, 1985 really solidified his A-list status. That summer Fox starred in two hits: TEEN WOLF and the blockbuster BACK TO THE FUTURE, which was the #1 film of the year. That summer Fox also got his first nomination for the TIES, which he won in September. He would go on to win two more times, consecutively (1986, 1987).

Meanwhile, in 1987 he had THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS, which was the #7 of the year, and BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (1989) and BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990), which were the #3 and #6 films of their respective years. Of course, there were a few duds along the way (LIGHT OF DAY, CASUALTIES OF WAR, DOC HOLLYWOOD).

It seems that his TV and film success seemed to wane after TIES ended in 1989 and BACK TO THE FUTURE franchise ran its course by 1990. But he had a great run for nearly a decade. I greatly admire for not ditching his show once Hollywood came calling (looking at you Shelley Long). I think that's partly why he's so well-liked in the industry. He's so affable and loyal.