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Marlo Thomas is an actress, producer, author, and social activist. She is best known for her television show, That Girl, and her children's franchise, Free To Be... You & Me. She has also appeared in several television series, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ballers, and Friends. Thomas is the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by her father, Danny Thomas, in 1962. While Thomas has not publicly stated her religious affiliation, her father was a devoted Catholic, and she has addressed her passion for Judaism in several speeches. She is also known for her work in raising $800 million annually for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Catholic |
| Father's Name | Danny Thomas |
| Father's Religion | Catholic |
| Mother's Religion | Sicilian American |
| Husband | Phil Donahue |
| Profession | Actress, Producer, Author, Social Activist |
| Awards | Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Jefferson, Peabody, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Women in Film Lucy Award |
| Work | National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital |
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What You'll Learn
Marlo Thomas's work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Marlo Thomas is the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by her father, Danny Thomas, in 1962. The hospital is named after St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, and treats children with deadly diseases such as leukemia, cancer, and sickle-cell disease.
Danny Thomas had a special devotion to St. Jude, which began when he was struggling to provide for his newborn child. He found a statue of the saint and prayed for help. Shortly after, he found success in the entertainment industry. True to his word, he founded the non-profit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to honour the saint. The hospital is funded exclusively through donations and does not send bills to the families of its patients for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
Marlo Thomas has been instrumental in fundraising and awareness efforts for the hospital. She created the Thanks & Giving campaign in 2004 to support the hospital, and she has donated all royalties from her 2004 book and CD, "Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long", as well as her Right Words at the Right Time books, to St. Jude's. In recognition of her commitment, the hospital christened its newest building in 2014 as The Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration.
In addition to her work with St. Jude's, Marlo Thomas is also known for her acclaimed acting career in television, film, and on stage. She is the author of seven bestselling books, including Free To Be... You & Me, which inspired a platinum album, an Emmy Award-winning television special, and a stage show. She has also won a Grammy Award for her children's album, "Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long".
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Marlo Thomas's father was Catholic
Marlo Thomas is the daughter of Danny Thomas, a Catholic Lebanese American. Her father was a devoted Catholic and was well-loved by the Catholic Church. As a result, Marlo was raised in the Catholic faith and still follows it to this day.
Danny Thomas was born Amos Kairouz to Maronite (Eastern Rite Catholic) parents who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon. He adopted his stage name, Danny Thomas, by combining the names of two of his brothers: Danny and Thomas. He was a Michigan-born comedian and actor who found success on the radio, in film, and on television. He starred in one of the earliest sitcoms, "The Danny Thomas Show" (originally called "Make Room for Daddy").
Danny Thomas was also a philanthropist, and his proudest accomplishment was founding St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1962. The hospital was named after St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. Danny Thomas had a special devotion to St. Jude, which began when he was a young husband and father in Detroit, struggling to provide for his newborn child. He found a statue of St. Jude in a nearby church and prayed, "Help me find my place in life." Soon after, he had his first big break in the entertainment industry.
Marlo Thomas followed in her father's footsteps in more ways than faith. She is an actress, producer, author, and social activist. She is best known for her television show "That Girl," which aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971. In the show, Marlo played Ann Marie, a young woman who leaves home, moves to New York City, and pursues her dream of becoming an actress while holding various temporary jobs. The show inspired a generation of women to be independent. Marlo has also won a Grammy for her children's album "Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long."
In addition to her career in entertainment, Marlo Thomas has dedicated her life to philanthropy, particularly in her role as National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by her father. She created the Thanks & Giving campaign in 2004 to support the hospital, and she has donated royalties from her books and albums to this cause. In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Marlo Thomas's TV show 'That Girl'
Marlo Thomas is best known for her television show "That Girl", which aired from 1966 to 1971. The show was groundbreaking for its time, as it centred on an unmarried woman who was not a housewife or living with her parents. The main character, Ann Marie, played by Thomas, is an aspiring actress who moves from her hometown of Brewster, New York, to pursue her dreams in New York City.
Ann has to take on various odd jobs to support herself between auditions and bit parts. The show also features her boyfriend, Donald Hollinger (Ted Bessell), a writer for Newsview Magazine, and her concerned parents, Lew Marie (Lew Parker) and Helen Marie (Rosemary DeCamp). Thomas's decision to keep the couple engaged at the end of the show's run was intentional, as she did not want to send the message to young women that marriage was the ultimate goal.
"That Girl" was developed by writers Bill Persky and Sam Denoff, and Thomas also produced the show through her company, Daisy Production. The show was well-received, with 136 episodes across five seasons, and Thomas's portrayal of Ann as a strong, independent woman inspired a generation of women to pursue their dreams and ambitions.
Thomas herself has been described as an "inspiration" and a "heroine" to many of her fans, and her work in "That Girl" cemented her place in television history. Aside from "That Girl", Thomas has also been recognised for her work in raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by her father, Danny Thomas. She has also authored several books and hosted a segment on her website called "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over", where she interviews women who have realised new dreams later in life.
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Marlo Thomas's marriage to Phil Donahue
Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue had one of the most admired marriages in Hollywood. The couple first met in 1972 when Thomas was promoting a TV special and visited the Ohio studio where Donahue's show was based at the time. However, they didn't feel a spark until their second meeting in 1977, when Thomas returned to Donahue's show, this time in Chicago. They fell in love at first sight, with Thomas recalling that "something chemical happened".
At the time, Donahue had recently divorced Margaret Cooney, his college sweetheart and mother of his five children, while Thomas was single. They got married on May 21, 1980, and Thomas became a stepmother to Donahue's four sons, Michael, Kevin, Daniel, and James, and one daughter, Mary Rose. She decided to be their friend rather than a mother in the traditional sense.
In 2015, Thomas told TODAY that she and Donahue didn’t critique each other’s projects, which was another secret to their long-lasting relationship. In 2020, the couple released their first joint project, a book called "What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life", in which they chronicled their work together. They also hosted a podcast together called "Double Date with Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue", where they spoke to couples about their keys to lasting marital bliss.
Thomas and Donahue were married for over 40 years until Donahue's death on August 18, 2024, at the age of 88. Thomas was by his side when he passed away at home following a long illness. In a Facebook post the next day, she wrote, "I lost my sweetheart last night," calling Donahue her "beloved Phillip".
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Marlo Thomas's address to the National Council of Jewish Women
Marlo Thomas, the actress and social activist, addressed the National Council of Jewish Women at their annual meeting in Pittsburgh in 2013. She was there to help the Pittsburgh section of the NCJW celebrate its 120th anniversary.
Thomas shared stories of her childhood and spoke about her passion for activism, her 33-year marriage to Phil Donahue, and her work raising $800 million each year for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She also discussed her career, including her role in the groundbreaking sitcom "That Girl", which inspired a generation of women to be independent.
Thomas expressed her admiration for the Jewish organization and recounted her father's honorary admission to the Hillcrest Country Club, which at the time was restricted to only Jewish members. She also shared her thoughts on the importance of heritage and the impact that one person can have on the world, referencing the Jewish saying, "Repair the world".
In her address, Thomas also highlighted the NCJW's mission statement of turning progressive ideals into action and encouraged women to pursue their dreams, regardless of their age or life circumstances. She is a big proponent of encouraging women to pursue their dreams and has created projects such as Free to Be... You and Me and It Ain't Over 'Til it's Over", which empower women to embrace their individuality and pursue new dreams when facing crossroads in life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Marlo Thomas is a practicing Roman Catholic. She was raised Catholic and still follows the faith today.
Marlo Thomas is an actress, producer, author, and social activist. She has won several awards for her work, including a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Marlo Thomas is the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by her father, Danny Thomas, in 1962. She also created the Thanks & Giving campaign to support the hospital and has donated her royalties from several projects.
Marlo Thomas is of Lebanese, Sicilian, and Italian descent. Her father, Danny Thomas, was a Catholic Lebanese American, and her mother was Sicilian American.
Yes, Marlo Thomas is married to Phil Donahue. However, as they did not have his first marriage annulled before their Catholic wedding, he may no longer receive church sacraments.
