Marlo Thomas, the lovely, glowing brunette, was born Margaret Julia Thomas on November 21, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan. Raised in the entertainment industry as the daughter of show business legend Danny Thomas, she initially pursued a career in education, becoming a school teacher.
However, Marlo soon switched to acting, making her television debut in the late 1950s with appearances on shows such as "Dobie Gillis," "77 Sunset Strip," "Thriller," and "Zane Grey Theatre." Her breakthrough role came when she was cast as Joey Bishop's sister on "The Bob Newhart Show" in 1961.
Marlo's subsequent work on the London stage in "Barefoot in the Park" in 1965 caught the attention of ABC, leading to her being tested for another sitcom lead. She landed the role of Ann Marie on "That Girl," which premiered in 1966 and ran for five seasons. The show earned her a Golden Globe and four Emmy nominations.
After "That Girl" ended its run in 1971, Marlo transitioned to film, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her role in "Jenny" opposite Alan Alda. She also appeared in the Broadway production of "Thieves" in 1975 and reprised her role in the 1977 film adaptation.
Marlo's subsequent work included a range of television movies, earning her an Emmy Award for "Nobody's Child" in 1986 and a Golden Globe nomination for "Consenting Adult" in 1985. She also appeared in a number of stage productions, including "Social Security" in 1986 and "The Shadow Box" in 1994.
In the 1990s, Marlo continued to work in television, appearing in shows such as "Friends," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and "Roseanne." She also appeared in a number of films, including "In the Spirit" in 1990 and "The Real Blonde" in 1997.
In the 2000s, Marlo continued to work in television, appearing in shows such as "Ugly Betty," "The New Normal," and "Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later." She also appeared in a number of films, including "LOL" in 2012 and "Ocean's Eight" in 2018.
Throughout her career, Marlo has been recognized for her humanitarian work, including her role as National Outreach Director for St. Jude's Children Hospital. She has also written several books and has been involved in various charitable organizations.
