Trailblazing Actress and Activist Marlo Thomas
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Marlo Thomas, the trailblazing actress and activist, rose to fame with her groundbreaking sitcom "That Girl," portraying one of television's first single, independent career women.
Thomas' Early Years and Education
en.wikipedia.org
Marlo Thomas was born Margaret Julia Thomas on November 21, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to Lebanese-American comedian Danny Thomas and his wife Rose Marie Cassaniti, who was of Italian descent.
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She had two siblings - a brother Tony Thomas and a sister Terre Thomas, both of whom later pursued careers in the entertainment industry. 3
Thomas was raised in Beverly Hills, California, where her family was part of the entertainment business circle. 1
As a child, she was nicknamed "Margo" but it soon became "Marlo" due to her mispronunciation of the name. 1
After attending Marymount High School in Los Angeles, Thomas graduated from the University of Southern California with a teaching degree, having initially been dissuaded from pursuing an acting career. 1
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She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority during her time at USC. 1
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The Breakthrough Role of Marlo Thomas: Ann Marie in 'That Girl' (1966-1971)
yahoo.com
Marlo Thomas achieved her breakthrough role as Ann Marie in the sitcom "That Girl" (1966-1971), which broke new ground by portraying an independent single woman pursuing an acting career and living alone in New York City.
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The show was revolutionary for featuring one of television's first leading characters who was not defined by her relationship to a husband or family. 3
Ann Marie defied traditional gender norms of the era by rejecting marriage in favor of following her dreams and supporting herself through odd jobs. 3
Thomas co-developed and produced "That Girl" through her own production company, insisting on the show's feminist premise despite network skepticism that audiences would accept an unmarried working woman as the lead. 2
Her performance as the plucky, determined Ann Marie made Thomas a household name and cultural icon. 2
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She won a Golden Globe for Best TV Star in 1967 and earned four Emmy nominations over the show's five-season run. 3
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In the final episode, Thomas famously refused demands from the writers, network, and sponsor to have Ann Marie get married, stating "It's a betrayal to all the girls who watched the show." 4
Her steadfast portrayal of an empowered single woman was groundbreaking for its time and paved the way for subsequent female-led series like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." 2
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Marlo Thomas' Marriage and Family
people.com
Marlo Thomas married television host Phil Donahue on May 21, 1980, after meeting him as a guest on his talk show in 1977.
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It was Thomas' first marriage and Donahue's second. Through this union, Thomas became a stepmother to Donahue's five children - four sons and one daughter - from his previous marriage to Margaret Cooney. 1
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Regarding her role as a stepparent, Thomas shared with AARP Magazine in 2011, "From the very first day, I decided that I was not going to try to be a 'mother' to Phil's children in the traditional sense—they already had a mom—but, instead, to be their friend." 3
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In recent years, the 85-year-old Thomas has remained active in the entertainment industry with roles in films and television shows. 4
She continues her philanthropic work, particularly her advocacy for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as its National Outreach Director. 2
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Thomas also engages directly with fans through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and her website MarloThomas.com. 5
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Related
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