Heather Thomas, who celebrated her 66th birthday on September 8, was once poised for

a flourishing Hollywood career after starring as Jody Banks, the sidekick to Lee Majors in the popular 1980s action series The Fall Guy

But what seemed like the perfect beginning to a successful career soon took a turn that would alter the course of her life forever.

Following the series finale, an unexpected event changed everything for Thomas.

After finishing the show, her mother arrived on set to deliver unexpected news:

her father, Leon, had been hospitalized. Worried for her father’s well-being, Thomas rushed

to the hospital, but was quickly reassured by her family and friends at the Santa Monica

facility that he was stable and that their real concern was her health. This visit marked

a pivotal moment in her life—one that would lead to a profound transformation both personally and professionally.

Heather Thomas had always been destined for the spotlight. With a striking combination of

talent and beauty that rivaled icons like Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear, she made

her mark early on. At just 14, she hosted NBC’s Talking with a Giant, a show where she

and four other teens interviewed celebrities. By the time she graduated from UCLA, where

she studied film and theater, Thomas had already appeared in the short-lived comedy

series Co-Ed Fever (1979). Her ambition was clear: she aspired to be an actress, director, and writer.

In 1980, Thomas landed her breakout role on The Fall Guy, starring opposite Lee Majors,

famous for his role in The Six Million Dollar Man. As Jody Banks, a stuntwoman turned bounty hunter,

Thomas became a fan favorite and a cultural icon. Men adored her, and she was often seen

as a sex symbol—a label she had complicated feelings about. In a candid interview,

Thomas shared her thoughts on the stereotype: “There’s obligatory condescension that

goes with that. You fit the blonde bimbo stereotype. At that time, was having fun.”