Received a basketball scholarship to Brandeis University, but dropped out of school
By the time he graduated college at San Diego State University, he was 31 years old
Met his wife in 1969; eventually they set off for 14 months of globetrotting with a dog named Ubu, which later became the name of his production company
They didn't marry until 1990
Once lived with his future wife and dog in a cave in Greece
Starred in the 1972 Israeli TV series The Adventures of Scooterman, which helped teach children language arts
Steven and Elyse Keaton, the parents in his series Family Ties (1982-89), were based on him and his wife
Originally wanted Matthew Broderick for the role of Alex Keaton on Family Ties, but the casting director pestered him until he finally agreed to hire Michael J
Fox
In 2008, published his memoir, Sit, Ubu, Sit: How I Went From Brooklyn to Hollywood With the Same Woman, the Same Dog, and a Lot Less Hair