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Marlo Thomas
American actress, producer, and social activist

Margaret Julia "Marlo" Thomas (born November 21, 1937) is an American actress, producer, author, and social activist, best known for starring on the sitcom That Girl (1966–1971) and her children's franchise Free to Be... You and Me. She earned multiple accolades including Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Peabody Award. In 2014, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Thomas also serves as National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by her father Danny Thomas, and created the Thanks & Giving campaign to support it.

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Early life

Thomas was born in Detroit and raised in Beverly Hills, California, the eldest child of Rose Marie Cassaniti and comedian Danny Thomas.3 She has a sister, Terre, and a brother, producer Tony Thomas. Her father was a Catholic Lebanese American and her mother was Sicilian American.45 Her godmother was Loretta Young.6 The name "Marlo" came from her childhood mispronunciation of the name Margo, as Thomas was called by her family.7

Thomas attended Marymount High School and graduated from the University of Southern California with a teaching degree: "I wanted a piece of paper that said I was qualified to do something in the world". She was a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.89

Career

Early career

Thomas appeared in many television programs including Bonanza, McHale's Navy, Ben Casey, Arrest and Trial, The Joey Bishop Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, My Favorite Martian, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Donna Reed Show. Her big break came in 1965 when she was cast by Mike Nichols in the London production of Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park, co-starring Daniel Massey, Kurt Kasznar, and Mildred Natwick. (In 1986, she was once again cast by Nichols on Broadway in Andrew Bergman's Social Security, co-starring Ron Silver and Olympia Dukakis.)

Thomas and her father, Danny, were cast as Laurie and Ed Dubro in a 1961 episode, "Honor Bright", of CBS' Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre.

That Girl

Thomas starred in an ABC pilot called Two's Company in 1965. Although it did not sell, it caught the attention of a network programming executive. He met with Thomas, and expressed interest in casting her in her own series. With their encouragement, Thomas came up with her own idea for a show about a young woman who leaves home, moves to New York City, and struggles to become an actress. The network was initially hesitant, fearing audiences would find a series centering on a single female uninteresting or unrealistic.

The concept eventually evolved into the sitcom entitled That Girl, in which Thomas played Ann Marie, a beautiful, up-and-coming actress with a writer boyfriend, played by Ted Bessell. The series told the daily struggles of Ann holding different temporary jobs while pursuing her dream of a career on Broadway. That Girl was one of the first television shows to focus on a working, single woman who did not live with her parents, and it paved the way for many shows to come. Thomas was only the fourth woman to produce her own series, following Gertrude Berg, Lucille Ball, and Betty White. That Girl aired from 1966 to 1971, producing 136 episodes, and was a solid performer in the Nielsen ratings.

In 1971, Thomas chose to end the series after five years. Both ABC and the show's sponsor, Clairol, wanted the series finale to be a wedding between the two central characters, but Thomas rebuffed them, saying that she felt it was the wrong message to send to her female audience, because it would give the impression that the only happy ending is marriage. That Girl has since become popular in syndication.

Clairol was our sponsor and they wanted to end the show with a wedding. I said, "I just can't do that to these women and girls who followed Ann Marie's adventure. I can't now say that the only happy ending is a wedding, because I don't believe it." There was a big ruckus about it, but I wouldn't do it. The last show, Ann Marie took Donald to a women's lib meeting, which made nobody happy but me. I loved it.10

Later career

After That Girl, eager to expand her horizons, Thomas attended the Actors Studio,11 where she studied with Lee Strasberg until his death in 1982, and subsequently with his disciple Sandra Seacat. When she won her Best Dramatic Actress Emmy in 1986 for the television film Nobody’s Child, she thanked both individuals.

In 1972, she released a children's book, Free to Be... You and Me, which was inspired by her young niece Dionne Gordon. She went on to create multiple recordings and television specials of and related to that title: Free to Be... You and Me (1972, 1974) and Free to Be... A Family (1987), with Christopher Cerf. Also in 1972, she served as a California delegate to the Democratic National Convention12 in Miami Beach, Florida. She helped the George McGovern presidential campaign in October 1972 at Star-Spangled Women for McGovern–Shriver, reciting a parody of Erich Segal's Love Story for 19,000 people at Madison Square Garden.13

In 1973, Thomas joined Gloria Steinem, Patricia Carbine, and Letty Cottin Pogrebin as the founders of the Ms. Foundation for Women, the first women's fund in the US. The organization was created to deliver funding and other resources to organizations that were presenting liberal women's voices in communities nationwide.

In 1976, Thomas made a guest appearance on the NBC situation comedy The Practice as a stubborn patient of her father Danny Thomas' character Dr. Jules Bedford, and the chemistry of father and daughter acting together made for touching hospital-room scenes.

She has made guest appearances on several television series, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (as Judge Mary Conway Clark, a mentor of ADA Casey Novak), Ballers, The New Normal, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. She also narrated the series Happily Never After on Investigation Discovery.

From 1996 to 2002, Thomas had a reoccurring role on the hit TV show, Friends.14 She played Rachel Green's mother, Sandra Green, in three episodes.15 The role was poignant because of parallels to That Girl. Both shows were comedies about being young and single in New York City. Like Ann Marie three decades earlier, Rachel Green had left the suburbs for independence as a single woman in Manhattan. However, Thomas's first appearance on Friends was in Season 2 when her character goes looking for her daughter, who had run off to Manhattan after ditching her fiancé, Barry, at the altar.16 Sandra confesses to Rachel that she is leaving her husband, expresses interest in being one of the girls, marijuana and what is new in sex.17 Sandra envies her daughter's lifestyle, which she missed out on due to taking a more traditional path.18 When Rachel becomes upset at her mom's frankness, Sandra explains that she thought Rachel of all people would understand because "you didn't marry your Barry, honey, but I married mine."19 In 2019, Thomas described her on-screen daughter, Rachel, as the "That Girl" of the late 90s and early 2000s. Thomas compared the on-air standards 30 years apart, noting that in That Girl, Donald could not even spend the night at Ann's apartment, but on Friends, they were much more open about sex.20 Thomas also spoke of the great respect the Friends cast showed her when they worked together; they were familiar with her work and yielded to her comedic expertise.21

Thomas appeared in films such as Jenny (1970), Thieves (1977), In The Spirit (1990), The Real Blonde (1997), Starstruck (1998), Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), Playing Mona Lisa (2000), LOL (2012) with Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus, and Cardboard Boxer (2014). She also starred in television films, including It Happened One Christmas (1977; also produced) (a remake of It's a Wonderful Life),22 The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck (1984; also produced), Consenting Adult (1985), Nobody's Child (1986; Best Dramatic Actress Emmy), Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin Story (1991; also produced), Reunion (1994; also produced), Deceit (2004; also produced), and Ultimate Betrayal (1994).

Thomas' Broadway theatre credits include Thieves (1974), Social Security (1986), and The Shadow Box (1994), and in 2011, she starred as Doreen in Elaine May's comedy George Is Dead in Relatively Speaking during a set of three one-act plays (The New York Times called Thomas' performance "sublime").23 The other two plays were written by Woody Allen and Ethan Coen.

Off-Broadway, Thomas has appeared in The Guys, The Exonerated (in which she also appeared in Chicago and Boston, co-starring with Brian Dennehy), The Vagina Monologues and Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Also off-Broadway, she appeared opposite Greg Mullavey in the 2015 New York debut of Joe DiPietro's play Clever Little Lies at the Westside Theatre.24 Regional theatre productions include: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Hartford Stage; Woman In Mind at the Berkshire Theatre Festival; Paper Doll, with F. Murray Abraham at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre; and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds at the Cleveland Playhouse. In 1993, she toured in the national company of Six Degrees of Separation. In the spring of 2008, she starred in Arthur Laurents' last play, New Year's Eve with Keith Carradine, at the George Street Playhouse.

Thomas has published seven best-selling books (three of them #1 best-sellers): Free to Be... You and Me; Free to Be... A Family; The Right Words at the Right Time; The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2: Your Turn; Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long (the CD version of which won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children); her 2009 memoir, Growing Up Laughing; and It Ain't Over...Till It's Over: Reinventing Your Life and Realizing Your Dreams Anytime, At Any Age.

Thomas serves as the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, which was founded by her father, Danny Thomas. She donated all royalties from her 2004 book and CD Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long (also produced with Christopher Cerf) and her two Right Words at the Right Time books to the hospital.

In 2010, Thomas created MarloThomas.com, a website for women aged 35+, associated with AOL and the Huffington Post.

Honors

Thomas is the recipient of four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, a Jefferson Award, and the Peabody Award.

In 1979, the Supersisters trading card set was produced and distributed; one of the cards featured Thomas' name and picture.25

In 1996, she was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television.26

On November 20, 2014, the Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration was opened as part of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.27 Hillary Clinton presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

On November 24, 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Thomas the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, at a White House ceremony.28

Personal life

Thomas was in a long relationship with playwright Herb Gardner.29

In 1977, Thomas was a guest on Donahue,30 the television talk show, when she and host Phil Donahue fell in "love at first sight".31 They were married on May 21, 1980, and Donahue moved from Chicago to New York City with some of his sons and his daughter to live with Thomas and to produce his talk show there.32 Thomas is the stepmother to Donahue's four sons and daughter from his first marriage. Concerning her relationship with her stepchildren, Thomas told AARP Magazine in May 2011:

From the very first day, I decided that I was not going to try to be a 'mother' to Phil's children in the traditional sense—they already had a mom—but, instead, to be their friend. I'm proud to say that the friendships I established with them are as strong today as they were 30 years ago—even stronger.33

Donahue died on August 18, 2024.34

Filmography

Films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1970JennyJennyNominated – Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress
1977ThievesSally Cramer
1990In the SpiritReva Prosky
1993Falling DownKTLA Reporter
1997The Real BlondeBlair
1998StarstruckLinda Phaeffle
1999Deuce Bigalow: Male GigoloMargaretUncredited cameo
2000Playing Mona LisaShelia Goldstein
2012LOLGran
2017The Female BrainLynne
2018Ocean's 8Rene

Television

YearFilmRoleNotes
1960The Many Loves of Dobie GillisFrank's GirlfriendEpisode: "The Hunger Strike"
196077 Sunset StripAminaEpisode: "The Fanatics"
1961Zane Grey TheatreLaurie DubroEpisode: "Honor Bright"35
1961ThrillerSusan BakerEpisode: "The Ordeal of Dr. Cordell"
1961–1962The Joey Bishop ShowStella10 episodes
1962InsightJeanne BrownEpisode: "The Sophomore"
1964Arrest and TrialAngela TucciEpisode: "Tigers Are for Jungles"
1964BonanzaTai LeeEpisode: "A Pink Cloud Comes from Old Cathay"
1964My Favorite MartianPaula ClayfieldEpisode: "Miss Jekyll and Hyde"
1964Wendy and MeCarolEpisode: "Wendy's Anniversary for —?"
1964McHale's NavyCynthia PrenticeEpisode: "The Missing Link"
1965What's My Line?HerselfPanelist
1965The Donna Reed ShowLouise BissellEpisode: "Guests, Guests, Who Needs Guests?"
1965Two's CompanyCaroline SommersUnsold pilot
1965Ben CaseyClaire SchaefferEpisode: "Three Li'l Lambs"
1966–1971That GirlAnn Marie136 episodesGolden Globe Award for Best Actress on Television (1967)TV Land Award for Favorite Fashion Plate – Female (2004)Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1967-1971)Nominated – TV Land Award for Hippest Fashion Plate – Female (2003)
1967Cricket on the HearthBerthaVoice, television film
1973The ABC Saturday Superstar MovieAnn MarieVoice, episode: "That Girl in Wonderland"
1973Acts of Love and Other ComediesVariousTelevision film
1976The PracticeJudy SinclairEpisode: "Judy Sinclair"
1977It Happened One ChristmasMary Bailey HatchTelevision film; also producer
1980The Body Human: The Facts for GirlsHostTV documentary
1984The Lost Honor of Kathryn BeckKathryn BeckTelevision film; also producer
1985Consenting AdultTess LyndTelevision filmNominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film
1986Nobody's ChildMarie BalterTelevision filmPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a MovieNominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film
1991Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin StoryLucille 'Sis' LevinTelevision film; also producer
1994Ultimate BetrayalAdult Sharon RodgersTelevision film
1994ReunionJessie YatesTelevision film; also producer
1996RoseanneTina BeigeEpisode: "Satan, Darling"
1996, 2002FriendsSandra Green3 episodesNominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (1996)
1999FrasierSophieVoice, 3 episodes
2000Ally McBealLynnie Bishop2 episodes
2002Two Against TimeJulie PortmanTelevision film
2004DeceitEllen McCarthyTelevision film; also producer
2004Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJudge Mary Clark4 episodes
2007Ugly BettySandra WinthropEpisode: "Something Wicked This Way Comes"
2012The New NormalNancy NilesEpisode: "Baby Proofing"
2015BallersJason's MotherEpisode: "Ends"
2017Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years LaterVivianTV miniseries
2020The RocketeerSitti / Mrs. AbboudVoice, 2 episodes
2022A Magical Christmas VillageVivian ToddTelevision film (Hallmark Channel)
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References

  1. "Marlo Thomas - Biography". Biography.com. FYI/A&E Television Networks. May 4, 2020. https://www.biography.com/actor/marlo-thomas ↩

  2. Pickler, Nedra. "Obama awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to 18". The Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved November 20, 2021. https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2014/11/24/obama-awards-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-18/ ↩

  3. Kelly, Katie (March 11, 1973). "Marlo Thomas: 'My Whole Life I've Had My Dukes Up". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/11/archives/marlo-thomas-my-whole-life-ive-had-my-dukes-up.html ↩

  4. Thomas, Marlo. "International No Diet Day: When Temptation Calls..." Huffington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2014. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/international-no-diet-day_b_5269218.html ↩

  5. Lynch, Lorrie (May 5, 2011). "Actress Marlo Thomas Says Mom Inspired Her Career". AARP. Retrieved February 7, 2024. https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/info-05-2011/marlo-thomas-mothers-day-tribute.html ↩

  6. Smith, Liz (October 6, 2014). "Remembering the REAL Loretta Young!". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Content Agency. Retrieved October 24, 2017. /wiki/Liz_Smith_(journalist) ↩

  7. Stone, Judy (September 4, 1966). "And Now—Make Room for Marlo". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/1966/09/04/archives/and-now-make-room-for-marlo.html ↩

  8. Stone, Judy (September 4, 1966). "And Now—Make Room for Marlo". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/1966/09/04/archives/and-now-make-room-for-marlo.html ↩

  9. Moore, Annette (April 16, 2013). "Nikiases and Marlo Thomas honored by Town and Gown". USC News. http://news.usc.edu/#!/article/49460/nikiases-and-marlo-thomas-honored-by-town-and-gown/ ↩

  10. "At 28, Marlo Thomas Was Starring On The TV Show That Would Make Her A Feminist". Bustle. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210312192151/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/marlo-thomas-that-girl-feminism-at-28 ↩

  11. Michaelson, Judith (November 7, 1992). "Q&A with Marlo Thomas: 'In the Prime of My Craft Now'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2021. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-07-ca-1267-story.html ↩

  12. Kelly, Katie (March 11, 1973). "Marlo Thomas: 'My Whole Life I've Had My Dukes Up". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/11/archives/marlo-thomas-my-whole-life-ive-had-my-dukes-up.html ↩

  13. Lambert, Virginia (October 29, 1972). "Stars with a cause". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. p. B-13. https://www.newspapers.com/image/492241231/ ↩

  14. "Friends Actress Marlo Thomas Shares Sweet Memory of Matthew Perry on Set". E! Online. December 4, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.eonline.com/news/1390807/friends-actress-marlo-thomas-shares-sweet-memory-of-matthew-perry-on-set ↩

  15. Massabrook, Nicole (September 16, 2023). "Marlo Thomas Recalls Matt LeBlanc's Sweet Gesture on 'Friends' Set". Us Weekly. Retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/marlo-thomas-recalls-matt-leblancs-sweet-gesture-on-friends-set/ ↩

  16. "Marlo Thomas, Who Played Rachel's Mom On Friends, Just Shared A Sweet Memory Of Matthew Perry From The Famous Couch On Set". Yahoo Entertainment. December 10, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/marlo-thomas-played-rachels-mom-233000794.html ↩

  17. "TikTok - Make Your Day". www.tiktok.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/@sittiarjay/video/7194030091414867226 ↩

  18. "TikTok - Make Your Day". www.tiktok.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/@sittiarjay/video/7194030091414867226 ↩

  19. "TikTok - Make Your Day". www.tiktok.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/@sittiarjay/video/7194030091414867226 ↩

  20. TODAY (December 12, 2019). 'Friends' Actress Marlo Thomas On Best Moments As Rachel's Mom | TODAY Original. Retrieved October 15, 2024 – via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fPC1FhFq14 ↩

  21. TODAY (December 12, 2019). 'Friends' Actress Marlo Thomas On Best Moments As Rachel's Mom | TODAY Original. Retrieved October 15, 2024 – via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fPC1FhFq14 ↩

  22. Maltin, Leonard, ed. (October 1990). TV Movies Video Guide 1991 Edition. Signet Books. ISBN 978-0-4511-6748-4. 978-0-4511-6748-4 ↩

  23. Isherwood, Charles (October 20, 2011). "Each Family, Tortured in Its Own Way: Relatively Speaking". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/theater/reviews/relatively-speaking-at-brooks-atkinson-theater-review.html ↩

  24. Haun, Harry (October 1, 2015). "Marlo Thomas Stars in Off-Broadway Marriage Comedy Clever Little Lies". The New York Observer. https://observer.com/2015/10/marlo-thomas-stars-in-off-broadway-marriage-comedy-clever-little-lies/ ↩

  25. Wulf, Steve (March 21, 2015). "Supersisters: Original Roster". ESPN. Retrieved June 4, 2015. https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/12535055/original-roster ↩

  26. "Past Recipients". Women in Film. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724120329/http://www.wif.org/past-recipients ↩

  27. "Marlo Thomas Center Opens at St. Jude". WebProNews. November 21, 2014. https://www.webpronews.com/marlo-thomas-center-opens-at-st-jude/ ↩

  28. Pickler, Nedra. "Obama awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to 18". The Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved November 20, 2021. https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2014/11/24/obama-awards-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-18/ ↩

  29. Kelly, Katie (March 11, 1973). "Marlo Thomas: 'My Whole Life I've Had My Dukes Up". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/11/archives/marlo-thomas-my-whole-life-ive-had-my-dukes-up.html ↩

  30. Thomas, Marlo (September 21, 2012). "Marlo Thomas Meeting Phil on The Donahue Show". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2018. I met Phil on the Donahue Show in 1977 - instant chemistry! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJd4U-uH7M ↩

  31. Telling, Gillian (March 31, 2020). "Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue Open Up About the Secret to Their 40-Year Marriage". People. Retrieved September 15, 2020. https://people.com/movies/marlo-thomas-phil-donahue-open-up-about-secret-40-year-marriage/ ↩

  32. Thomas, Marlo (July 21, 2014). "Phil And Me — 34 Years Later". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2017. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/phil-and-me-34-years-late_b_5360137.html ↩

  33. Lynch, Lorrie (May 5, 2011). "Actress Marlo Thomas Says Mom Inspired Her Career". AARP. Retrieved February 7, 2024. https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/info-05-2011/marlo-thomas-mothers-day-tribute.html ↩

  34. Kaplan, Anna; Maline, Elizabeth (August 19, 2024). "Legendary TV talk show host Phil Donahue dies at 88". Today.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024. https://www.today.com/popculture/news/phil-donahue-dies-rcna167132 ↩

  35. Lilly, William (April 5, 2017). Zane Grey Theater S05E17 Honor Bright. William Lilly (Anthology series). Event occurs at 2:52. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-yS2THievE&t=633s ↩