Marlo Thomas Biography

Margaret Julia “Marlo” Thomas is an American actress, producer, author, and social activist. She is best known for starring in the sitcom That Girl (1966–1971) and her children’s franchise Free to Be… You and Me.

Marlo Thomas Age

Thomas is 86 years old as of 2023. She was born (real name – Margaret Julia Thomas) on November 21, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Thomas celebrates her birthday on the 21st of November every year.

Marlo Thomas Height

Thomas stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 5 inches.

Marlo Thomas Family

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

Marlo Thomas Husband

Thomas was in a long relationship with Herb Gardner, the playwright. She met with her current husband Phil Donahue, in 1977. Thomas was his guest on the daytime television talk show, “love at first sight” in 1977. On May 21, 1980, the two tied the knot and Donahue moved with some of his sons and his daughter from Chicago to New York City to live with Thomas and to produce his talk show there. Donahue has four sons and a daughter from his first marriage, Thomas is the stepmother to five children.

Thomas told the AARP magazine in May 2012 concerning her relationship with her stepchildren, “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.

Marlo Thomas Children

Thomas is a proud stepmother to five children, four sons, and a daughter. These are his husband’s children from his first marriage.

Marlo Thomas Net Worth

Thomas has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 Million – $5 Million which she has earned from her successful career as an actress, producer, author, and social activist.

Marlo Thomas Salary

Thomas earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.

Marlo Thomas Education

After graduating from Marymount High School where she earned her Diploma in General Education, she had to further her education. She joined the University of Southern California where she graduated with a teaching degree: “I wanted a piece of paper that said I was qualified to do something in the world”. In addition to that, she was a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta.

Marlo Thomas Career

Thomas began her acting career early when she appeared in several roles in different television series including Bonanza, The Donna Reed Show, 77 Sunset Strip, My Favorite Martian, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Joey Bishop Show, Arrest and Trial, Ben Casey, and McHale’s Navy. In 1965, she made her big break when she was cast by Mike Nichols in the London production of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, co-starring Mildred Natwick, Kurt Kasznar, and Daniel Massey. She performed the play in London and was chosen for more Broadway productions.

She joined Actors Studio after the show since her reputation grew, and she wanted to improve her acting. In addition to that, she was cast by Nichols on Broadway in Andrew Bergman’s Social Security co-starring Olympia Dukakis and Ron Silver in 1986. Acting did well for her. In a 1961 episode, “Honor Bright”, of CBS’ Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatre, Thomas and her father, Danny, was cast as Laurie and Ed Dubro.

Marlo Thomas That Girl

In 1965, she starred in an ABC pilot called Two’s Company. The caught the attention of a network programming executive though it did not sell. 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 performed the part of Ann Marie in “That Girl” from 1966 to 1971.

Marlo Thomas Awards and Honors

She has received several awards and honors throughout her career. These awards include the Peabody Award, a Jefferson Award, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, as well as four Emmy Awards. 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. 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.

Marlo Thomas Books

Thomas has written a children’s book titled “Free to be…You and Me.” She made her film debut in the 1970 movie “Jenny.” She then worked in several other films, including “Thieves,” “Starstruck,” “The Real Blonde,” and “Playing Mona Lisa,” among others.

Marlo Thomas Plastic Surgery/Face Surgeries

There have been rumors for years that Thomas has had plastic surgeries. Plastic surgery has made her look all stretched, pulled back, and abnormal. Thomas has not aged like herself.

Marlo Thomas Movies and TV Shows

Movies

• Jenny as Jenny
• Thieves as Sally Cramer
• In the Spirit as Reva Prosky
• The Real Blonde as Blair
• Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo as Margaret
• Playing Mona Lisa as Shelia Goldstein
• LOL as Gran
• The Female Brain as Lynne
• Ocean’s 8 as Rene

TV Shows

• The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis as Frank’s Girlfriend
• 77 Sunset Strip as Amina
• Thriller as Susan Baker
• The Joey Bishop Show as Stella
• Bonanza as Tai Lee
• Wendy and Me as Carol
• The Donna Reed Showas  Louise Bissell
• Ben Casey as Claire Schaeffer
• Nobody’s Child as Marie Balter
• That Girlas  Ann Marie
• Roseanne as Tina Beige
• The Practice as Judy Sinclair
• The New Normal as Nancy Niles
• Ballers as Jason’s Mother
• A Magical Christmas Village as Vivian Todd