Whatever Happened to Nancy Stafford, ‘Matlock’s Michelle Thomas?

MATLOCK, Nancy Stafford, 1980s, 1986-1995 — Viacom/Everett Collection

What To Know

Nancy Stafford, who played Michelle Thomas on Matlock, was already an accomplished actress before joining the show, with roles on series like The Doctors and St. Elsewhere.
After leaving Matlock in 1992, Stafford hosted the syndicated show Main Floor, became a public speaker and author of Christian-themed books, and continued acting with guest roles on various TV shows.
In recent years, she has focused on faith-based and independent films, often in maternal roles, and has also worked as a writer and producer.

When Matlock premiered on March 3, 1986, it leaned heavily on the comforting presence of Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock. However, the show wouldn’t have been the same without his supporting players. Michelle Thomas, a young lawyer works alongside Matlock in seasons two through six, was played by Nancy Stafford, whose entrance in the first season and promotion to series regular helped modernize the series. Stafford’s performance made her one of the most recognizable faces on late ’80s television — and when she left the series in 1992, some fans assumed she had stepped away from acting altogether. In reality, her career took a very different path. Let’s find out what she’s been up to now in her 70s.

How did Nancy Stafford begin her career?

Before Matlock, Stafford had already built a solid résumé. She was Miss Florida 1976 and a University of Florida graduate before moving to Los Angeles in the early ’80s, where she quickly found steady television work. Early roles on daytime soap The Doctors and the acclaimed medical drama St. Elsewhere established her as a solid actress.

Throughout the decade, she appeared on a wide range of popular shows, from Remington Steele to Quantum Leap, often playing capable professionals. That skill set made her a natural fit for Michelle Thomas.

What did Nancy Stafford do after Matlock?

ArtAffects Entertainment/Everett Collection

In the mid ’90s, she became the longtime host of the syndicated series Main Floor, which blended fashion and beauty and ran for more than a decade. Around the same time, she leaned into public speaking and writing, eventually authoring several Christian-themed books, including Beauty by the Book: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You and The Wonder of His Love. Acting never fully disappeared from her life, though. She continued to appear on television, with guest roles on shows like Frasier, Judging Amy, Scandal and The Mentalist.

Where is Nancy Stafford today?

In more recent years, Stafford has remained active primarily in faith-based and independent films, often taking on maternal or guiding roles. Films like Christmas for a Dollar, Faith, Hope & Love, First Lady and Far Haven introduced her to a new generation of viewers who may not immediately connect her to Matlock. She has also worked behind the scenes as a writer and producer on select projects.