Heather Thomas is an American actress, screenwriter, author, and political activist, renowned for her beauty and versatility. Her breakout role as Jody Banks in ‘The Fall Guy’ (1981-1986) catapulted her to fame. Despite facing challenges, including a serious accident and substance addiction, Heather’s resilience and determination led her to become an inspirational role model.
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She later chose to shift her focus from acting to activism, advocating for various causes close to her heart. Heather’s strength and tenacity have made her a beloved and admired figure in the entertainment industry and beyond.
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Profile Summary
| Name | Heather Thomas |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Heather Anne Thomas |
| Date of Birth | 8 September 1957 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Sign | Virgo |
| Place of Birth | Greenwich, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Parents | Gladdy Lou Ryder, Leon Thomas |
| Gender | Female |
| Family | Spouse/Ex-: Harry M. Brittenham (M. 1992), Alan Rosenthal (M. 1985–1986) |
| Children | India Rose Brittenham, Kristina Brittenham, Shauna Brittenham |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Notable Alumni | UCLA School Of Theater, Film And Television |
| U.S. State | Connecticut |
| City | Greenwich, Connecticut |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, author |
Who is Heather Thomas?
Heather Anne Thomas is a multi-talented American actress, activist, and author who gained fame for her iconic role as Jody Banks in the adventure series ‘The Fall Guy’. Her journey in television started early when she co-hosted the NBC series ‘Talking with a Giant’.
With a degree in Film and Theatre from ULCA, she made notable guest appearances in TV shows like ‘California Fever’, ‘Co-Ed Fever’, and ‘The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo’. However, her breakthrough came in 1981 when she took on the lead role in ‘The Fall Guy’, propelling her to stardom and making her a household name.
Where is She Now?
Heather Thomas has embraced her second chance in life and has become a prominent activist, advocating for the rights and freedom of various communities. She is actively involved in foundations like the Amazon Conservatory board and has played a key role in addressing cases of ill behavior and violations against women in the entertainment industry, such as the Weinstein scandal.
Heather’s influence extends to the political arena, where she has financially supported both Democratic and Republican candidates, contributing over $280,000 since 1992. In addition to her activism, she continues to pursue her passion as a scriptwriter and published author. Heather’s journey showcases her resilience and dedication to making a positive impact on society.
Career
Heather Thomas’s journey in the entertainment industry began at a young age when she was selected as one of the hosts for the NBC series ‘Talking with a Giant’ at just 14 years old. This experience ignited her passion for acting, leading her to pursue a degree in Film and Theatre from the UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television, which she completed in 1980.
Her breakthrough came in 1981 when she landed the role of Jody Banks in the action-adventure series ‘The Fall Guy,’ which ran for five successful seasons. Heather continued to make her mark in the industry with guest roles in various TV series and her film debut in the teen comedy ‘Zapped’ in 1982.
She further showcased her acting talent in TV movies, earning a Gemini Award nomination for her role in ‘Ford: The Man and the Machine’ in 1987. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Heather appeared in several TV movies and miniseries.
As her TV appearances slowed down, Heather made the decision to step away from acting in 1998 and focus on her personal life. However, her creativity didn’t stop there. She explored her talent for screenwriting, with her plot ‘School Slut’ being purchased by Touchstone Pictures. Heather later delved into writing fiction, publishing her first novel ‘Trophies’ in 2008.
Personal life
Heather Thomas has been married twice. Her first marriage to Allan Rosenthal lasted from August 1985 to September 1986. In October 1992, she married entertainment attorney Harry Marcus “Skip” Brittenham. They have a daughter named India Rose, born in June 2000.
Thomas decided to leave acting due to being harassed by stalkers and a desire to focus on her family and explore writing. She faced frightening incidents, such as someone climbing over her fence with a knife.
What happened to Heather Thomas?
In 1984, Heather Thomas faced a challenging time in her life when she developed an addiction to a substance while working on ‘The Fall Guy.’ This led her to seek help and enter a rehabilitation program. The continuous scrutiny and criticism from the media and the public eventually took a toll on her, leading her to make the difficult decision to step away from acting in 1998.
However, this marked a new chapter in her life as she ventured into screenwriting. Her first screenplay was sold to Touchstone Pictures at a high price, but unfortunately, the film was never produced. Undeterred, Heather reclaimed the rights and took the initiative to produce the movie herself. She also explored her passion for writing fiction, which led to the publication of her first novel, ‘Trophies,’ by William Morrow in 2018.
In 2014, Heather Thomas made a return to the screen with an appearance in the web series ‘Girltrash: All Night Long.’ Despite the challenges she faced in her career, Heather remains resilient and continues to explore her creative talents beyond acting.
Heather Thomas net worth
After a successful career in acting, screenplay writing, and publishing, Heather Thomas has amassed a net worth of $2 million. Her various endeavors have contributed to her financial success and stability.
