Marlo Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marlo Thomas
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Thomas in 2008
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| Born |
Margaret Julia Thomas
November 21, 1937 |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
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| Years active | 1960–present |
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| Parent(s) |
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| Relatives | Tony Thomas (brother) |
Marlo Thomas (born November 21, 1937) is an American actress, producer, and author. She is famous for her role in the TV show That Girl (1966–1971). She also created the popular children's project Free to Be... You and Me.
Marlo Thomas has won many awards for her work. These include three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Peabody Award. She even won a Grammy Award for her children's music album. In 2014, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is a very high honor in the United States.
She is also the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Her father, Danny Thomas, founded this hospital in 1962. Marlo started the "Thanks & Giving" campaign in 2004 to help raise money for St. Jude.
Early Life and Education
Marlo Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 21, 1937. She grew up in Beverly Hills, California. Her parents were Rose Marie Cassaniti and the famous comedian Danny Thomas. Marlo has a sister named Terre and a brother named Tony. Her father was of Lebanese descent, and her mother was of Italian descent. Her godmother was actress Loretta Young.
Her family called her "Marlo" because she used to mispronounce the name "Margo" when she was little.
Marlo went to Marymount High School. After that, she studied at the University of Southern California. She earned a teaching degree there. She said she wanted "a piece of paper that said I was qualified to do something in the world." She was also part of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Starting Her Acting Career
Marlo Thomas appeared in many TV shows early in her career. Some of these shows included Bonanza, McHale's Navy, and The Donna Reed Show.
Her big break came in 1965. She was chosen by director Mike Nichols to act in a play called Barefoot in the Park in London. She later worked with Mike Nichols again on Broadway in a play called Social Security.
In 1961, Marlo and her father, Danny Thomas, even acted together. They were in an episode of CBS' Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre called "Honor Bright."
Becoming That Girl
In 1965, Marlo Thomas filmed a TV pilot called Two's Company. Even though it wasn't picked up, a TV executive noticed her. He wanted to create a show just for her. Marlo came up with an idea for a show about a young woman who moves to New York City to become an actress.
This idea became the popular sitcom That Girl. Marlo played Ann Marie, a young actress trying to make it big on Broadway. Her boyfriend in the show was played by Ted Bessell. The show followed Ann's daily adventures and struggles.
That Girl was special because it was one of the first TV shows to focus on a single, working woman who lived on her own. It helped open the door for many other shows like it. Marlo Thomas was also one of the first women to produce her own TV series. That Girl ran from 1966 to 1971 and was very popular.
Marlo decided to end the show after five years. The network and sponsors wanted the last episode to be a wedding for Ann Marie. But Marlo disagreed. She felt it would send the wrong message to her female viewers. She believed it would suggest that marriage was the only happy ending for a woman. Instead, the final episode showed Ann Marie taking her boyfriend to a women's liberation meeting.
Later Career and Projects
After That Girl, Marlo Thomas wanted to try new things. She studied acting at the Actors Studio for many years.
In 1972, she released a children's book called Free to Be...You and Me. This book was inspired by her young niece. She then created recordings and TV specials based on the book, including Free to Be...You and Me (1974) and Free to Be...A Family (1987). These projects taught children about being themselves and accepting others.
In 1973, Marlo Thomas helped start the Ms. Foundation for Women. This was the first organization in the U.S. created to support women's groups and voices across the country.
Marlo has made guest appearances on many TV shows. She played Judge Mary Conway Clark on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She also played Rachel Green's mother, Sandra Green, on the hit show Friends. She appeared in three episodes of Friends between 1996 and 2002. Marlo saw similarities between her character Ann Marie from That Girl and Rachel Green, both being young women seeking independence in New York City.
Marlo Thomas has also acted in several films. Some of her movies include Jenny (1970), Thieves (1977), and LOL (2012) with Miley Cyrus. She has also starred in and produced many TV movies.
On Broadway, Marlo has appeared in plays like Thieves and Social Security. She has also acted in many plays Off-Broadway and in regional theaters.
Marlo Thomas has written seven best-selling books. These include Free to Be...You and Me, Free to Be...A Family, and her memoir Growing Up Laughing. Her book and CD Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long won a Grammy Award in 2006.
Marlo continues to be the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She donates all the money from some of her books and CDs to the hospital. In 2010, she launched MarloThomas.com, a website for women.
Awards and Recognition
Marlo Thomas has received many honors for her work. She has won four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, and a Peabody Award.
In 1996, she received the Women in Film Lucy Award. This award recognized her excellent work that improved how women are seen on television.
In 2014, a new center at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was named after her: the Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration. Hillary Clinton helped open it.
On November 24, 2014, President Barack Obama gave Marlo Thomas the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the United States.
Personal Life
Marlo Thomas was in a long relationship with playwright Herb Gardner.
In 1977, Marlo was a guest on Donahue, a TV talk show. She and the host, Phil Donahue, fell in love. They got married on May 21, 1980. Phil Donahue moved to New York City to live with Marlo.
Marlo Thomas became the stepmother to Phil Donahue's four sons and daughter from his first marriage. She told AARP Magazine that she decided not to try to be a traditional mother to them. Instead, she chose to be their friend. She is proud that their friendships are still strong today. Phil Donahue passed away on August 18, 2024.
Images for kids
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Marlo Thomas at the 41st Primetime Emmy Awards, September 17, 1989
See also
In Spanish: Marlo Thomas para niños
