Heather Thomas, who celebrated her 66th birthday on September 8, was once a shining star in Hollywood, best known for her leading role alongside Lee Majors in the hit show The Fall Guy. Fans expected her career to soar, but life had other plans for this talented actress.
One day, while filming the final episode of The Fall Guy, Heather received shocking news. Her mother showed up on set, looking worried. Heather rushed to the hospital, fearing the worst about her father, Leon. But when she arrived at the Santa Monica hospital, her family and friends greeted her with relief.
They reassured her that her father was doing well, but they were more concerned about her. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in Heather’s life, one that would change both her career and personal life forever.
Heather was not just a pretty face; she had the talent to match. With a natural beauty reminiscent of Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear, she was destined for greatness. At just 14 years old, she hosted the NBC talk show Talking with a Giant, where she interviewed celebrities alongside four other teens.
After studying theater and cinema at UCLA, Heather landed her first big role in 1980 on The Fall Guy, where she played Jody Banks, a stuntwoman and bounty hunter. She quickly became a beloved figure, admired by fans who saw her as a sex symbol.
However, Heather had mixed feelings about this label. She once told People, “There was an obligatory condescension that goes with that. The blonde bimbo is a stereotype that you fit into. But I was simply enjoying myself at the moment.”
But behind the glitz and glamour, Heather struggled with a dark secret. Her battle with drugs began in sixth grade when she started using substances to maintain her grades. “I was taking acid and getting straight As,” she recalled. “I simply believed it to be mind-blowing.” As she transitioned to college, her drug use escalated.
By the time she was filming The Fall Guy, she was using cocaine and diuretics to keep up with the pressures of fame and the demands of her role. “At first, I was still getting used to the medicine. I thought I was receiving a good deal on my purchase,” she explained. “It’s merely a personal torment.”
Despite her attempts to manage her drug use, it began to affect her career. A close friend revealed, “Word was out on Heather. People were aware of her issue.” Her health deteriorated, and her weight dropped dramatically from 125 to 105 pounds. Heather admitted, “I was in a minicoma sometimes.”
The situation came to a head when she fainted in front of Lee Majors, who immediately contacted her manager and mother.
Her mother, Gladdy Ryder, rushed to the set to inform Heather that her father was in the hospital. After the series finale, Heather was taken to St. John’s Hospital, where her family had prepared to admit her into a three-week drug treatment program. Reflecting on that day, she said, “It was a big relief to me.”
Upon entering detox, she discovered she had pneumonia, scarred lungs, and swollen kidneys. “I wanted to get off the roller coaster I’d been on. I most likely would have continued on my merry way until I lost my job or passed away if my family hadn’t stepped in. The doctors said I should have died three years ago,” she shared.
Determined to turn her life around, Heather surrounded herself with supportive people who encouraged her recovery. During this time, she met Allan Rosenthal, a co-founder of Cocaine Anonymous, and eventually married him.
However, their marriage ended in divorce in September 1986, just as Heather faced another life-altering event. That same month, she was hit by a car while crossing the street, severely injuring both legs.
After her recovery, Heather returned to acting but found herself in smaller roles. She appeared in films like Cyclone in 1987 and Red Blooded American Girl in 1990 alongside Christopher Plummer. In the 1990s, she decided to start fresh.
In 1992, she married entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham and became a stepmother to his two daughters, Kristina and Shauna. In June 2000, Heather welcomed her only biological child, India Rose.
The Fall Guy reunion (Heather Thomas and Lee Majors) at Fanboy Expo Orlando… pic.twitter.com/6BHitvP6Nz
— Stacey Adam (@oldandbitterest) September 4, 2022
“I decided to give it up and write for a while,” she told Reuters. “I had about 45 restraining orders out, and I was in love, and then had two little girls.” Heather shifted her focus to writing, stepping back from acting due to the constant harassment from stalkers.
“I was being really harassed. One day, I witnessed a person use a knife to scale the fence. That was it; I had these two small kids who needed to be raised so badly,” she explained. Now, she feels that with age, people are less likely to bother her.
Today, Heather is not just a mother and writer; she is also an activist. She has served on the boards of the Amazon Conservation Team and the Rape Foundation. Embracing her identity as a feminist, she reflected on her journey, saying, “When I was younger, I followed people’s instructions, but as I grew older, I refused to compromise.
I desired independence and control. This got me a house and the recognition I needed to open doors.”
Heather Thomas’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Although it’s sad that she couldn’t return to acting in the same way, we’re glad she found the support she needed and is now committed to a lifelong healing process.
We fondly remember her as Jody Banks in The Fall Guy, where she shined alongside the iconic Lee Majors, one of the many incredible stars of the 1980s!
What do you think of Heather Thomas’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We loved watching her as Jody Banks and are inspired by her strength and determination!
