Marlo Thomas

Marlo Thomas – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

: Learn about Marlo Thomas — actress, producer, author, and social activist. Explore her groundbreaking work in That Girl, Free to Be… You & Me, activism with St. Jude’s, and her inspiring quotes and philosophy.

Introduction

Margaret Julia “Marlo” Thomas (born November 21, 1937) is an American actress, producer, author, and social activist best known for her leading role in the sitcom That Girl and for creating the beloved children’s project Free to Be… You & Me.

Over her long career, she has earned numerous awards (Emmys, Golden Globes, a Grammy, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom) and has used her public platform to champion equality, children’s causes, and the legacy of her father’s hospital, St. Jude’s.

Early Life and Family

Marlo Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Rose Marie Cassaniti and famed entertainer Danny Thomas.

Her father was of Lebanese descent, and her mother Sicilian. Marymount High School.

Thomas later studied at the University of Southern California, earning a teaching degree.

Youth and Entry Into Acting

Growing up in a household steeped in show business—her father’s friends included many of the top comedians and entertainers of the era—Marlo Thomas was exposed early to performance, humor, and storytelling.

She appeared in small television roles in her early years (e.g. Bonanza, My Favorite Martian, 77 Sunset Strip) before landing her breakthrough role.

Career and Achievements

That Girl and Pioneering Television (1966–1971)

In 1966, Marlo Thomas created and starred in the sitcom That Girl, playing Ann Marie, a young actress in New York pursuing her dreams while supporting herself with odd jobs.

That Girl was groundbreaking because it centered on a single, independent woman—not living with her parents, making her own decisions, and navigating her life. Thomas herself was one of the first women to produce her own series (alongside pioneers like Lucille Ball).

Notably, when the show’s sponsor pushed to end it with a wedding, Thomas declined. She didn’t want the implication that a woman’s happiness is completed only by marriage. Instead, the final episode featured Ann and her partner attending a women’s liberation meeting—deliberately nontraditional for the time.

The show ran for five seasons, producing 136 episodes.

Free to Be… You & Me and Advocacy

In 1972, Thomas launched Free to Be… You & Me, starting as a children’s record / album, later expanded into television and books.

Over time, Free to Be became a cultural staple, influencing generations of children and families.

Thomas has also written best-selling books (e.g. Growing Up Laughing, The Right Words at the Right Time) and donated royalties from many to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Film, Television, Stage, Later Work

Beyond That Girl, Thomas appeared in many television movies (e.g. Nobody’s Child, Consenting Adult) and guest spots (e.g. Friends, as Rachel’s mother Sandra Green).

She also performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theatre (including Social Security, The Shadow Box, Clever Little Lies).

She has produced and been involved behind the scenes in numerous projects.

Historical Milestones & Context

• That Girl marked one of the earliest shows to depict a woman choosing her own path, not defined by marriage or family duties—a precursor to feminist television.

• Free to Be… You & Me aligned with the social changes of the 1970s (women’s movement, evolving perceptions of gender roles) and offered children messages of empathy, acceptance, and empowerment.

• Her decision to refuse a wedding finale on That Girl is often cited as a bold move resisting conventional expectations for women’s stories.

• Thomas’s long commitment to philanthropy—particularly through St. Jude’s hospital—is a part of her personal and public identity, bridging entertainment and activism.

Legacy and Influence

Marlo Thomas’s legacy is multifaceted:

• She is a role model for women in entertainment who push for creative control, meaningful representation, and autonomy in their work.

• That Girl is often viewed as a foundational show for later feminist or women-centered television.

• Free to Be… You & Me has left a lasting imprint on how children’s media can promote social values and inclusivity.

• Her generosity and philanthropic alignment with St. Jude’s have extended her influence beyond entertainment to institutional, humanitarian impact.

• Through her books, appearances, and public voice, she continues advocating for equality, the power of laughter, and speaking one’s truth.

Personality and Talents

Marlo Thomas is often described as warm, witty, principled, and creatively courageous. She combines humor with conviction.

Her talents include:

• Acting (comedy, drama, television, film, stage)

• Producing / creative control

• Writing & storytelling

• Advocacy & philanthropy

• Public speaking & mentorship

Her humor, molded by growing up with comedians and storytellers, is integral to her style. She has often said that laughter “connects us to others” and has health effects of its own.

She also maintains strong convictions about equality: for example, she has said, “One of the things about equality is not just that you be treated equally to a man, but that you treat yourself equally to the way you treat a man.”

Famous Quotes of Marlo Thomas

Here are some memorable quotes that reflect her wisdom, humor, activism, and worldview:

“Never face facts; if you do you’ll never get up in the morning.”

“My father said there were two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.”

“One of the things about equality is not just that you be treated equally to a man, but that you treat yourself equally to the way you treat a man.”

“Laughter is important, not only because it makes us happy, it also has actual health benefits. … It connects us to others.”

“We’ve been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all of our lives; we carry these words in our head.”

“I realize now that I was a feminist … but there’s no doubt about it that I was born a feminist.”

Lessons from Marlo Thomas

1. Own your narrative
   Thomas created That Girl on her terms and refused to force a conventional ending just to appease sponsors or expectations.

2. Use your platform for positive change
   Her work with Free to Be… You & Me and her long devotion to St. Jude’s show how art can fuel advocacy.

3. Humor is powerful
   She often emphasizes that laughter connects us and heals, not just entertains.

4. Equality begins within
   Her statements about self-treatment and internal equality underscore that social justice requires personal reflection.

5. Pursue reinvention throughout life
   Even later in her career, she has embraced writing, activism, producing, and new theatrical roles—never limited by past identity.

Conclusion

Marlo Thomas is more than an actress—she is a trailblazer, a champion of children and equality, and a voice that blends humor with moral purpose. Her career—from That Girl to Free to Be… You & Me to her advocacy and writing—speaks to the possibility of using creativity for social impact.

Her story reminds us that art and activism can walk hand in hand, that challenging conventions matters, and that laughter and leadership are not incompatible but complementary.

Explore her shows, her books, her advocacy efforts—and let Marlo Thomas’s example inspire your own voice and impact.