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.
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.”
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