She Was a 1980s Bombshell, But Heather Thomas Faced Demons—Her Transformation at 66 Is Unbelievable!

Heather Thomas, known for her role alongside Lee Majors in *The Fall Guy*, turned 66 on September 8. She was on track for a very successful Hollywood career.

However, after the show’s finale, her mother appeared on set, and Thomas rushed to the hospital, thinking her father had an emergency. But when she arrived at the Santa Monica hospital, her family and friends told her that her father, Leon, was fine—it was her they were worried about.

This marked the start of a new chapter in the 28-year-old’s life, which would change both her personal life and career.

Read on to find out what happened to the famous 1980s pinup girl!

Heather Thomas had talent and natural beauty that compared to stars like Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear. She was born to be in the spotlight.

At just 14, she hosted an NBC show called *Talking with a Giant*, where she and other teens interviewed celebrities.

Wanting more, Thomas studied film and theater at UCLA, aiming to be an actor, director, and writer. Before she graduated, she appeared in a short-lived comedy series called *Co-Ed Fever* in 1979.

In 1980, Thomas, who was born in Connecticut, landed her first major role in *The Fall Guy*. She played Jody Banks, a stuntwoman and bounty hunter, alongside Lee Majors, who was famous for his role in *The Six Million Dollar Man*.

Her role made her popular, especially among male viewers, who saw her as a sex symbol. Thomas had mixed feelings about this label.

“There’s a kind of condescension that comes with it,” she told *People*. “You fit the stereotype of the blonde bimbo. But at the time, I was just having fun.”

Unfortunately, Thomas’s fun also involved drugs, a habit that began before her role as Jody Banks.

She revealed that her drug use started in sixth grade to help keep her grades up. “I was taking acid and getting straight A’s. I thought it was mind-expanding,” Thomas said.

As Heather Thomas grew older, the drugs she used also changed.

While studying at UCLA, Thomas started using cocaine. By 1981, just one year into her role on *The Fall Guy*, her drug problems got worse.

Feeling pressure to live up to her image as a sex symbol, the 5-foot-7 actress became obsessed with her weight. She began taking Lasix, a diuretic that can cause extreme tiredness.

To fight the tiredness, she used more cocaine to stay energized.

“At first, I loved the drug. I felt like I was getting a lot out of it. It kept me awake all night, and I could still work the next day,” she said, but claimed she never used it on set. “Cocaine isn’t accepted on sets. It’s no longer cool. It’s just a personal nightmare.”

However, a source close to Thomas told *People* that her drug use was hurting her career. “People knew Heather had a problem,” the source said.

Thomas’s weight dropped from 125 to 105 pounds, and she began falling asleep between scenes. She admitted, “Sometimes, I was in a mini coma.”

One day, she passed out in front of her co-star, Lee Majors. He contacted her manager, who then called her mother.

After the final episode of *The Fall Guy* was filmed, Thomas’s mother, Gladdy Ryder, showed up on set and told her that her father was in the hospital.

Thomas rushed to St. John’s Hospital, but when she arrived, she was met by her family and friends. They were there to admit her into a three-week drug rehabilitation program.

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“That day was a big relief for me,” Thomas said. When she checked into detox, she had pneumonia, scarred lungs, and inflamed kidneys. “I’d been on a roller coaster, and I wanted to get off. If my family hadn’t stepped in, I probably would have kept going until I lost my job or died.”

She also said, “The doctors told me I should have been dead three years ago.”

Determined to recover, Thomas surrounded herself with people who supported her goal of staying drug-free. That’s when she met Allan Rosenthal, co-founder of Cocaine Anonymous, and married him when she was 28. They divorced in September 1986.

That same month, Thomas was hit by a car while crossing the street, leaving her with serious injuries to both legs.

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After detox, divorce, and surgery to repair major damage in one of her legs, Heather Thomas returned to acting with smaller roles in TV series. She also appeared in movies like *Cyclone* in 1987 and the 1990 Canadian film *Red Blooded American Girl* with Christopher Plummer.

With her struggles behind her, Thomas started fresh in the 1990s. While working to revive her career, she married entertainment lawyer Skip Brittenham in 1992. She became a stepmother to his two daughters, Kristina and Shauna, and gave birth to her only biological child, daughter India Rose, in June 2000.

Talking about her decision to step away from acting, Thomas said, “I had about 45 restraining orders, and I was on everything from a toilet seat cover to an ashtray. Then I fell in love, had two little girls, and decided to give up acting to write for a while.”

In 2017, Thomas made a brief comeback in the movie *Girltrash: All Night Long*, one of her 26 acting credits.

However, Thomas has focused mostly on writing. She said it wasn’t a lack of roles that drove her away from acting but the constant threat of stalkers invading her privacy. “One guy climbed over the fence with a knife. I had two little girls who needed raising, so that was that. Now, I think I’m old enough that people won’t bother me as much.”

Today, Thomas is also involved in activism. She has served on the boards of the Rape Foundation and the Amazon Conservation Team.

Identifying as a feminist, which some find surprising for a former sex symbol, Thomas explained how she embraced both roles.

“When I was younger, I did what people told me. But as I got older, I didn’t compromise myself. I wanted power and freedom, and my career gave me that. I don’t think being a feminist means you should be ashamed of your body,” she said.

It’s unfortunate that Heather Thomas wasn’t able to fully revive her acting career, but we’re glad she got the help she needed and is now on a lifelong journey of recovery.

The 1980s had so many great shows, and we loved watching her as Jody Banks in *The Fall Guy* alongside Lee Majors, the Six Million Dollar Man!

We’d love to hear your thoughts about Heather Thomas and her journey to recovery!

Woman’s One Day Away Becomes a Mother’s Worst Fear After a Call from School — Story of the Day

Mary juggled everything at home while her husband, George, stayed hands-off. Fed up, she decided to take a day for herself, leaving their daughter in his care. But as she relaxed by the ocean, her phone lit up with missed calls from the school. Now, fear set in—what happened while she was away?

Mary stood in the kitchen, moving frantically as she tried to make breakfast. She glanced at the clock and groaned. She had overslept again. Meanwhile, George was still snoring loudly upstairs.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She flipped the toast out of the toaster, only to see that it was burnt. “Ugh!” she muttered, tossing it aside. Without slowing down, she cracked eggs into the pan, but in her hurry, they burned just like the toast.

Suddenly, her alarm blared again, making her jump. “Oh, come on!” she cried, and in the confusion, she knocked over her cup of coffee.

The hot liquid splashed onto her arm, stinging her skin. “Damn it!” she yelped, grabbing a towel to wipe off the mess.

With no time to waste, she rushed to Missy’s room. She sat on the edge of the bed, gently shaking her daughter awake. “Missy, honey, it’s time to get up,” she said softly. Missy groaned, rolling over and pulling the blanket over her head.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary lifted the still half-asleep Missy and carried her to the bathroom. As she helped Missy wash her face and brush her teeth, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her hair was wild, her pajamas were wrinkled, and a big coffee stain covered her shirt.

She carried Missy down the hall, heading toward the bedroom. She pushed the door open with her foot and saw George sprawled out on the bed, snoring softly.

“George, I’m running late. Missy’s going to be late for school. Can you help me, please?” Her voice was almost pleading.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

George grunted and rolled to his side, burying his face in the pillow. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled.

Mary sighed and hurried back downstairs, Missy clinging to her. She set Missy down at the table, grabbed a box of cereal, and poured it into a bowl, adding milk.

“I don’t want this!” Missy whined, pushing the bowl away.

Mary took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “What do you want, sweetheart?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Pancakes!”

Mary glanced at the time. She was almost out of it. “George!” she shouted toward the stairs. “I really need your help! Get Missy dressed!”

Silence. Not a single sound came from George.

Gritting her teeth, Mary grabbed the pancake mix and began braiding Missy’s hair as the batter sizzled in the pan.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

George finally strolled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. His gaze landed on the stove. “Oh! Pancakes!” he said with a smile, sitting at the table. Without a care in the world, he grabbed a fork and began eating.

Mary glanced at him, her hands busy packing Missy’s lunch. Her shoulders ached from rushing around all morning, but she kept quiet.

“Did you forget to grab my morning paper?” George asked between bites.

Something inside Mary snapped. The words hit her like a slap. “Your paper?!” she yelled. “Why don’t you get it yourself? I’ve been running around like a maniac this morning getting Missy ready for school! I asked you to help! You didn’t even try!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

George blinked, looking confused. “But I work, and you’re a stay-at-home mom…”

Mary cut him off. “You’re on vacation!” she screamed. “You know what? I’ve had enough! I’m taking the day off. You’re dropping Missy off and picking her up from school. You’re watching her all day. I need a break!”

George scratched his head, frowning. “I thought she still went to kindergarten.”

“Aaagh!” Mary shouted, storming out of the kitchen. She raced upstairs to the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it behind her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary stood in the bathroom, listening to the faint sound of George and Missy leaving. The front door clicked shut, and for a moment, there was silence.

She let out a long breath. Slowly, she turned on the shower, letting the hot water wash over her. It felt good, soothing her frayed nerves.

Afterward, she got dressed in comfortable clothes, grabbed a small bag, and packed a few essentials—her wallet, a book, and some snacks.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She walked out of the house, locking the door behind her. Climbing into the car, she started the engine and drove toward the ocean, craving a peaceful escape.

Mary stretched out on the warm sand, feeling the sun on her skin. The sound of the waves calmed her, washing away the morning’s stress. She swam in the cool water, floated on her back, and felt a rare sense of peace. For once, she left her phone buried in her bag.

After a while, she sat up and reached for her phone, thinking it was time to check in. As she turned on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. There were over ten missed calls from the school. Something was wrong.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary’s hands shook as she dialed the school’s number. When someone finally answered, she could barely keep her voice steady.

“Hello? You called? Is something wrong?” Mary asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes, Mrs. Johnson,” replied an elderly woman on the other end. “Missy has gone missing. She went outside during recess and didn’t come back.”

Mary’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean? How could she not return?” she almost shouted, her fear rising.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“We tried reaching you and your husband, but we couldn’t get through.”

Mary felt like the world was spinning. “How could you let this happen?!” she screamed.

“Please, Mrs. Johnson, calm down,” the woman said gently. “We’re doing everything we can to find her.”

“How can you say that?!” Mary yelled. “You don’t know what’s happened to her!” Her voice cracked as she spoke. Without waiting for a reply, she hung up, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She dialed George’s number, throwing clothes into her bag. When he answered, she didn’t waste a second.

“Where are you?!” she screamed into the phone, her voice filled with panic.

“I’m with the police,” George replied. “I’m giving them information about Missy.”

Mary froze for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart. For once, George was stepping up, actually doing something for their daughter.

“But I was told the school couldn’t reach you,” Mary said.

“Yeah… I was at the bar with a colleague, but I saw the missed calls and called them back right away,” George replied, sounding guilty.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“All right,” she managed to say, her voice steadier now. “I’m on my way.” She hung up, grabbed her keys, and rushed to the car.

She jumped into the car, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the keys. The engine roared to life, and she sped out of the parking lot. Her heart pounded in her chest as she weaved through traffic, ignoring the honks and angry shouts from other drivers.

She gripped the wheel so hard her knuckles turned white. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away, focusing on the road ahead.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Finally, she skidded to a stop in front of the school. Barely shutting the car door, she rushed inside. The teachers and staff crowded around her, their faces filled with worry.

“Missy didn’t come back to class after recess,” one of them explained. “We’ve been searching everywhere.”

Mary didn’t wait to hear more. She darted down the hallways, calling out Missy’s name. She checked every bathroom, looked under tables in classrooms, peeked behind doors, her desperation growing with each step.

“Missy! Where are you?” she cried. She started to feel dizzy, her breaths coming in short gasps. Her mind screamed, This is my fault! I should have never left her with George!

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary sat on the school steps, burying her face in her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her body shook with quiet sobs. She felt helpless. Missy was still missing, and she didn’t know what to do.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She jumped, quickly wiping her eyes. It was George. Her hands trembled as she answered.

“What… what’s the police saying?” she stammered, her voice breaking.

“I found her,” George said, his voice steady.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary froze. “You… you found her?” she whispered, hardly believing it.

“Yes, we’re at the park. Come here now,” George replied.

Mary leaped up and sprinted to the park, her heart pounding. When she spotted George and Missy sitting on a bench, relief flooded over her. She ran toward them, dropping to her knees as she wrapped her arms around Missy. Tears spilled down her face, soaking Missy’s hair.

“Sweetie, what happened?” Mary asked, holding Missy close.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Missy looked up, her eyes wide. “Dad said we’d go for a walk later. I got tired at school, so I came to the park,” she said, her voice small.

Mary turned to George, shooting him a furious glance. He shifted his gaze to the ground, guilt written all over his face.

“Sweetheart, you can’t just leave school like that,” Mary said, her voice trembling. “We were so scared. We didn’t know where you were.”

Missy frowned. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again,” she said. “I just wanted to walk with Dad.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary sighed, feeling the weight of her daughter’s words. She squeezed Missy’s hand. “All right, let’s go home,” she whispered.

On the drive home, the car was quiet. Missy had fallen asleep in the backseat, her head resting against the window. Mary gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing.

She wanted to scream at George, to shout about how careless he’d been, how he’d ignored their child for so long. But before she could open her mouth, George broke the silence.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary glanced at him, her eyes hard. “Sorry isn’t enough,” she replied, her tone sharp. “Our daughter could have been hurt today. Do you get that?”

George nodded, looking down at his hands. “I know,” he admitted. “I haven’t been the best father.”

Mary shook her head, anger bubbling up again. “It took her going missing for you to realize that? Really?”

George took a deep breath and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small piece of paper and handed it to her. Confused, Mary glanced down. It was a cruise ticket.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What’s this?” she asked, still angry but now curious.

“You deserve a break,” George said, his voice steady. “After you left this morning, I saw the burnt eggs, the cereal, the pancakes. You made three breakfasts in one morning. And that’s only a small part of what you do every day. I’m sorry I didn’t see it before or appreciate you.”

Mary looked at the ticket, then back at George. “And who’s going to look after Missy?” she questioned.

“I will,” he answered, meeting her eyes. “I’m her father. It’s time I started acting like one.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mary pulled into the driveway and parked. She turned to George, her eyes softening. Slowly, she leaned over and hugged him, letting the tears flow.

“I’ll do better,” George promised, holding her tight. Mary nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. Finally, he understood.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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