5 Things You Never Knew About ‘That Girl’ Star Marlo Thomas
In recent years, a “that girl” trend has come around social media, promoting someone who has their life together. Long before the trend, Marlo Thomas truly was That Girl, starring in the 1960s sitcom of the same name as Ann Marie, an ambitious young woman living in New York City. The show ran for five seasons and instantly made Marlo a household name.
While the raspy-voiced actress is best known for That Girl, she is also known for playing Rachel’s mother on Friends, her children’s TV special Free to Be … You and Me, the feminist reimagining of It’s a Wonderful Life called It Happened One Christmas and the indie film Playing Mona Lisa. She has also appeared in shows as a guest star, including The Love Boat, Law & Order: SVU, The Golden Girls and many more.
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Lately, she is taking a step away to mourn the loss of her longtime husband; in recent years, she has continued her work with St. Jude, often appearing in campaigns. She has also been quite active on social media, sharing her life and stories from her career. Just last year, she appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to talk about the legacy of That Girl, saying that the message still holds up today. Thomas most recently starred in a TV movie called A Magical Christmas Village in 2022.
In honor of her birthday (she turns 87 this year!), let’s learn some interesting facts about the star.
1 She Comes From a Famous Family
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She was born on Nov. 21, 1937, to comedian and Make Room for Daddy star Danny Thomas and Rose Marie Cassaniti. She has a sister, Terre, and a brother, producer Tony Thomas. She followed in her father’s footsteps to Hollywood and earned her own celebrity status as a performer and producer, but it wasn’t always this way. At first, she wanted to have a career of her own and became a school teacher. She quickly switched to acting with early TV appearances on shows such as The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, 77 Sunset Strip, Thriller and Zane Grey Theater with her father in the 1950s.
>Who Is Still Alive From ‘Make Room for Daddy?’
2 Making the Move Into Drama and Broadway
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While That Girl was a hit, she canceled the show on her terms so that she would not become a typecast as she pursued more serious film roles. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for “Most Promising Newcomer” for her role in Jenny in 1970 opposite Alan Alda and made her Broadway debut in the Herb Gardner play Thieves with Richard Mulligan in 1975. Two years later, she re-created her stage role in the 1977 film of the same name, costarring with Charles Grodin this time. Unfortunately, many of the reviews for her serious roles were underwhelming.
3 Advocate for Women’s Rights on TV and in Real Life
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She portrayed one of the first strong, single and independent women on television in That Girl. Not only that, but she also served as the show’s producer, which was relatively unheard of for women in the 1960s. She has long been a champion for women’s rights and was lifelong friends with feminist leader Gloria Steinem. In 1996, she was recognized for her creative works and enhancement of women’s rights when she received the Women in Film Lucy Award.
4 Giving Back & Her Father’s Legacy
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Her father founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 1962, and she has worked with them over the years, continuing her father’s legacy. She serves as the National Outreach Director and is one of the faces of the organization, which helps provide treatments for children with diseases free of charge. She helped to raise awareness and funds for the hospital and launched the holiday fundraising initiative called the Thanks and Giving campaign, encouraging people to donate during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
5 Love at First Sight With Phil Donahue on TV
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Thomas was a guest on the popular talk show Donahue and fell in love with the host Phil Donahue at first sight. They wed on May 21, 1980, and were together until his death on Aug. 18, 2024. She shared the sad news on social media and told fans she would be taking a break to heal. She concluded her heartbreaking message by saying, “Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip.”
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Where to Watch That Girl
If you are interested in watching That Girl, Catchy Comedy is airing a marathon on Nov. 23-24, 2024, starting at 12pm ET. If you miss the marathon, it airs weekdays from 3-4pm ET on Catchy Comedy, and it is streaming on Amazon Prime and Peacock.
Remind 
1968 Retrospective
January 2018
This special expanded issue celebrates all things pop culture in 1968.
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