Which future Academy Award winner played Alex Keaton's alcoholic uncle (Ned) on the U.S. sitcom "Family Ties"?

Tom Hanks is the now well known Academy Award winning actor who appeared during the first and second seasons of "Family Ties" as Elyse's alcoholic younger brother Ned Donelly.

Concerning this show, "Family Ties' was a classic 1980s sitcom, centering on a strong family headed by loving parents who happily share domestic duties. Much of the show's humor came from the personality differences among the family members. When there were active disagreements, the parents still supported their kids and encourage them to express their views. Some episodes touch on serious issues like teen pregnancy, grief, extramarital affairs, and crime; but, they were all addressed in an honest, thoughtful manner.

The storylines and messages seem timeless (except for some of the political items), and the characters all have their lovable sides (this is why Hanks as Ned is such an endearing character).