Heather Thomas
Heather Thomas | |
|---|---|
 Thomas in May 2008 | |
| Born | September 8, 1957[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, author, political activist |
| Years active | 1978–1998, 2013−present |
| Known for | The Fall Guy |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 2 |
Heather Thomas (born September 8, 1957)[1] is an American actress, author, screenwriter, and political activist. She rose to fame as Jody Banks opposite Lee Majors in the ABC action‑adventure series The Fall Guy (1981–1986). After the show ended, Thomas appeared in a handful of films before retiring from acting in 1998, citing frequent stalking incidents, a desire to focus on her family, and an early interest in writing and screenwriting. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut and educated at Santa Monica High School and UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, she later pursued a career as a novelist and screenwriter, publishing Trophies in 2008. Thomas has also been active in political and philanthropic causes. She returned briefly to acting in minor roles, including a cameo in the 2024 The Fall Guy feature film.[2]
Career
Thomas started acting at age 14, when she was one of the hosts of a series on NBC called Talking with a Giant, in which she interviewed celebrities.[3] In 1978, she began acting in small television roles; she appeared in the series Co-Ed Fever, of which she later said, "It was cancelled after the third commercial."[4]
After Co-Ed Fever's cancellation, Thomas was chosen for the role of Jody Banks in The Fall Guy, which starred Lee Majors and was produced by Glen Larson, from its 1981 premiere to its 1986 cancellation. Thomas became addicted to cocaine during her run in the program, and entered rehabilitation for that addiction in the mid-1980s.[3][5] She appeared in several movies, the first of which was Zapped! in 1982, but she gave up acting in 1998. Thomas appeared on numerous pin-up posters during the 1980s.
Following her acting career, Thomas wrote a screenplay called School Slut and sold it to Touchstone Pictures for a figure reported as "mid-six-figure."[6] Touchstone did not make the film, and Thomas acquired the rights to produce it herself.[3]
In April 2008, Thomas's first novel, Trophies, was published by William Morrow.[7]
In 2014, Thomas temporarily came out of retirement to appear in a small role in the musical comedy Girltrash: All Night Long.
Thomas along with The Fall Guy costar Lee Majors made an after-credits cameo in a scene entitled "Previously On The Fall Guy" for the 2024 movie, The Fall Guy.
Personal life
Thomas married Allan Rosenthal in August 1985. Rosenthal is one of the founders of the twelve-step organization Cocaine Anonymous;[8] they divorced in September 1986.[9] In that same month, Thomas was struck by a car while crossing San Vicente Boulevard, and she sustained serious injuries to both of her legs.[10] In October 1992, Thomas married entertainment attorney Harry Marcus "Skip" Brittenham.[11] Their daughter was born on June 19, 2000. Skip Brittenham died in July 2025.[12][13]
Thomas left acting in part due to being harassed by stalkers, as well as a desire to focus on her family and to explore writing.[14] Thomas was once asked by Reuters in 2009, "Was it really so bad in the 1980s that you had to quit?" Thomas replied, "Yes, I was getting so stalked. I had one guy climb over the fence with a knife one time. I had these two little girls and they desperately needed raising, so that was that. But I think now I have gotten so old that people won't bother me much."[14]
Activism
Thomas and Brittenham became joint hosts of a monthly fund-raising breakfast gathering at their home in Santa Monica, California, which became known in Washington as the "L.A. Cafe".[15][16] Thomas has served on the advisory boards of the Rape Foundation[17] and Amazon Conservation Team.[18]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Zapped! | Jane Mitchell | |
| 1987 | Cyclone | Teri Marshall | |
| Kiss of the Cobra | Merryl Davis | Alternative titles: Death Stone Der Stein des Todes | |
| 1990 | Red Blooded American Girl | Paula Bukowsky | |
| 1993 | Hidden Obsession | Ellen Carlyle | |
| 1997 | Against the Law | Felicity | |
| 1998 | My Giant | Showgirl | |
| 2014 | Girltrash: All Night Long | Nadine Robson | |
| 2024 | The Fall Guy | Jody Banks | End credits cameo with Lee Majors |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | David Cassidy: Man Undercover | Caryl Manning | 1 episode |
| 1979 | Co-Ed Fever | Sandi | 1 episode |
| California Fever | Joanne | 1 episode | |
| 1980 | B. J. and the Bear | Caroline Capote | 1 episode |
| The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo | Caroline Capote | 1 episode | |
| 1981–1986 | The Fall Guy | Jody Banks | Main cast |
| 1983 | The Love Boat | Sheila | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | T. J. Hooker | Sandy | 1 episode |
| Cover Up | Amber | 1 episode | |
| 1987 | The New Mike Hammer | Andrea | 1 episode |
| Ford: The Man and the Machine | Evangeline Cote | Television movie Nominated: Gemini Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress | |
| Hoover vs. The Kennedys: The Second Civil War | Marilyn Monroe | Television movie | |
| 1988 | The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission | Lieutenant Carol Campbell | Television movie |
| 1989 | Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place | Joan Emery | Television movie |
| 1990 | Flair | Tessa Clarke | Miniseries |
| 1991 | P.S. I Luv U | Mary Markham | 1 episode |
| 1992 | Swamp Thing: The Series | Tatania | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Pointman | Lynn Forbes | 1 episode |
References
- ^ a b "Today in History – September 8". Bay Ledger News Zone. Associated Press. September 7, 2007. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ Actress, Author (2017-10-20). "Heather Thomas: Bio, Height, Weight, Measurements". Celebrity Facts. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c Serena Kappes (January 28, 2003). "Former TV sex symbol Heather Thomas is a screenwriter, activist, mom". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Peter Meade (February 26, 1984). "Heather Thomas is a busy body". Sunday Star-News. Wilmington, NC. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ "Heather Thomas Emerges from the 'Private Hell' of Drug Addiction with the Help of Her Therapist Mate".
- ^ Dan Snierson (July 25, 1997). "School's In". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ "Trophies ~ a novel by HEATHER THOMAS". trophiesnovel.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ^ "Roped Together". The Gainesville Sun. August 4, 1985. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Marilyn Beck (September 19, 1986). "Hoffman Plans Comedy". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ "Heather Thomas has surgery on leg after being hit by car". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida. September 18, 1986. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Daunt, Tina (October 12, 2012). "Hollywood wife has a green touch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
- ^ Cho, Winston (July 17, 2025). "Skip Brittenham, Prominent Hollywood Attorney and Power Broker, Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik; Patten, Dominic (July 17, 2025). "Skip Brittenham Dies: Powerhouse Ziffren Brittenham Lawyer Who Repped Harrison Ford, Eddie Murphy & Many Other Stars Was 83". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Goldsmith, Belinda; Tourtellotte, Bob (April 16, 2009). "Just A Minute With: Former pin-up Heather Thomas eyes comeback". Reuters. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ Tina Daunt (April 18, 2009). "Heather Thomas' salon a top breakfast stop". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Joel Stein (July 23, 2009). "Activism, Hollywood-Style". Time. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ "The Rape Foundation Board". The Rape Foundation. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ^ "Our Team | Amazon Conservation Team". www.amazonteam.org. Retrieved February 22, 2016.