Heather Thomas, who just celebrated her 66th birthday on September 8, is a name many remember fondly from the 1980s. She became famous for her role as Jody Banks in the hit TV show The Fall Guy, where she starred alongside the charming Lee Majors.
Everyone thought she was on her way to a dazzling Hollywood career, but life had other plans for her.
One day, while filming the show’s finale, Heather received shocking news. Her mother came to the set and told her that her father, Leon, was in the hospital. Worried and panicked, Heather rushed to Santa Monica Hospital, thinking it was an emergency.
When she arrived, family and friends were there to greet her, and to her relief, they informed her that her father was doing well. However, they were deeply concerned about Heather’s health. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that would change everything for the 28-year-old actress.
Heather was not just a pretty face; she had talent that rivaled other famous actresses like Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear. At just 14 years old, she hosted a talk show called Talking with a Giant on NBC, interviewing celebrities alongside four other teens.
With dreams of being an actress, director, and writer, Heather studied theater and film at UCLA. Just before graduating, she landed a role in the short-lived comedy series Co-Ed Fever in 1979.
In 1980, Heather’s big break came when she was cast in The Fall Guy. She played Jody Banks, a stuntwoman and bounty hunter, and quickly became a favorite among fans. Men adored her, and she was often seen as a sex symbol, a label she felt conflicted about.
“There was an obligatory condescension that goes with that,” she told People magazine. “The blonde bimbo is a stereotype that you fit into. But I was simply enjoying myself at the moment.”
However, Heather’s enjoyment took a dark turn. She struggled with substance abuse, a battle that began in sixth grade when she started using drugs to maintain her grades. “I was taking acid and getting straight As,” she revealed. “I simply believed it to be mind-blowing.”
As she got older, her drug use escalated. While studying at UCLA, she began using cocaine, and her addiction worsened during her time on The Fall Guy.
Heather became obsessed with her weight, taking Lasix, a diuretic that made her feel sluggish. To combat this, she used cocaine to boost her energy. “At first, I thought I was getting a good deal on my purchase,” she explained.
“I had never used cocaine on set, but it allowed me to work through the night.” Despite her claims, a source close to her revealed, “Word was out on Heather. People were aware of her issue.”
As her health deteriorated, Heather’s weight dropped from 125 to just 105 pounds. She described her condition, saying, “I was in a minicoma sometimes.” The situation reached a breaking point when she fainted in front of Lee Majors. Concerned for her well-being, he contacted her manager and her mother.
Her mother, Gladdy Ryder, rushed to the set to inform Heather of her father’s hospitalization. After the filming wrapped up, Heather was taken to St. John’s Hospital, where she was surrounded by family and friends who were ready to help her enter a three-week drug rehabilitation program.
“It was a big relief to me,” Heather recalled. When she checked into detox, she learned 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 revealed.
Determined to turn her life around, Heather surrounded herself with supportive people who shared her goals of living drug-free. During this time, she met Allan Rosenthal, a co-founder of Cocaine Anonymous. The two fell in love and eventually married, but their relationship ended in divorce in September 1986.
That same month, Heather faced another challenge when she was hit by a car while crossing the street, severely injuring both legs.
After her recovery, Heather returned to acting but took on smaller roles in various TV shows and films. She starred in the 1987 movie Cyclone and the 1990 Canadian film Red Blooded American Girl, featuring Christopher Plummer. Despite her struggles, Heather was determined to move forward.
The Fall Guy reunion (Heather Thomas and Lee Majors) at Fanboy Expo Orlando… pic.twitter.com/6BHitvP6Nz
— Stacey Adam (@oldandbitterest) September 4, 2022
In the 1990s, she made a fresh start. In 1992, she married entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham. Their family grew when Heather gave birth to her only biological child, India Rose, in June 2000.
She also became a stepmother to Skip’s two daughters, Kristina and Shauna. “I decided to give it up and write for a while,” she told Reuters. “I was in love and had two little girls.”
Heather stepped 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. “However, I believe that now that I am older, people won’t annoy me as much.”
Today, Heather is more than just an actress; she is an activist. She has served on the boards of the Amazon Conservation Team and the Rape Foundation. Embracing her identity as a feminist, she explained, “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. Having people see your body is not inherently bad. I don’t believe I deceived myself. Being a feminist, in my opinion, does not entail body shame.”
While it’s unfortunate that Heather Thomas hasn’t returned to acting, we are grateful for the support she received and the journey of healing she has embarked on. We loved watching her as Jody Banks in The Fall Guy alongside Lee Majors, one of the truly iconic shows from the 1980s!
What do you think of Heather’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!
