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.
“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.
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!
I Unexpectedly Saw My Husband in a Luxury Suit Leaving a Maternity Clinic with Two Babies in His Arms
When Emma spotted her husband, Jacob, walking out of a maternity ward in a designer suit, cradling two newborns, her world shattered. Determined to uncover the truth, she followed the trail.
The morning started like any other. I was in the kitchen, staring down at the two pink lines on the test in front of me. Pregnant. Again. My hand instinctively went to my belly.
A woman with a pregnancy test | Source: Pexels
A part of me felt joy. Babies are a blessing, right? But then reality hit, and my chest tightened. How were we going to make this work?
Jacob already works so hard as a janitor, and my nanny job barely covers the groceries. Tommy, our 7-year-old, needs new shoes, and our car’s been making a noise that doesn’t sound cheap to fix.
A happy, nervous woman looking at her pregnancy test | Source: Pexels
Jacob was sitting in the living room, lacing up his boots. His shoulders slumped like always, the weight of the world pressing on him.
“You’re up early,” he said, his voice as even as ever.
“Busy day,” I said, forcing a smile. “Gotta drop Tommy off and then head to the Jenkins’. Those twins are a handful.”
A nervous woman | Source: Pexels
He nodded and tugged his boots tighter. “Still better than mopping floors,” he said with a chuckle, but his laugh didn’t reach his eyes.
I nodded back, not wanting to push him. Jacob always carried so much without complaining. I couldn’t add this to his plate. Not yet.
A happy couple | Source: Pexels
That day, I drove Tommy to his grandmother and headed to see my doctor. The clinic was quiet, except for the hum of fluorescent lights and the occasional muffled cough. I sat in the exam room, tapping my foot as I waited for Dr. Patel to come back with my results.
Then, I saw him.
At first, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. It couldn’t be Jacob, could it? But there he was, walking down the hall toward the maternity ward. Except it wasn’t the Jacob I knew.
A man in a suit walking in a hospital | Source: Midjourney
He was wearing a sleek black suit, the kind I’d only seen on TV. His hair was combed perfectly, and on his wrist was a shiny watch that caught the light with every step. But the part that made my stomach twist was that he was carrying two newborn babies wrapped in pastel blankets.
“Jacob?” I whispered, frozen in place. My voice caught in my throat, but I forced it louder. “Jacob!”
A shocked woman in a hospital | Source: Midjourney
He didn’t even look at me.
“Jacob! What are you doing here?” I shouted, my voice cracking.
Nothing. He just kept walking like he hadn’t heard me.
A man leaving carrying two babies in a hospital | Source: Midjourney
I stood in the hallway, my heart pounding, staring at the door Jacob had walked out of. My mind raced with questions. Those babies, his suit, that car didn’t make sense.
“Answers,” I muttered under my breath. “I need answers.”
A sad woman in a hospital | Source: Midjourney
I pushed open the door and stepped inside the ward. The room was bright, with sunlight pouring through large windows, highlighting the soft pastel walls. Near the corner, a woman was packing a designer bag, carefully folding baby clothes. She looked up as I entered.
At first, I froze. She was stunning, tall and elegant, with perfectly styled auburn hair and a face that looked like it belonged on magazine covers. She wore a silk robe, and even in the casual setting of a hospital, she exuded wealth and sophistication.
A rich woman in a hospital | Source: Midjourney
“Can I help you?” she asked, her tone polite but guarded.
I clenched my fists, my voice trembling as I spoke. “I’m Emma. I’m looking for my husband, Jacob.”
The color drained from her face. “Your… husband?”
“Yes,” I said firmly, stepping closer. “Jacob. I just saw him leave this room holding two babies. Yours, I assume?”
A serious woman in a yellow dress | Source: Midjourney
She blinked rapidly, then slowly lowered herself into the chair beside the bed. “Wait. You’re telling me Jacob is married?”
I laughed bitterly. “You didn’t know? Well, let me clear it up for you—Jacob and I have been married for nine years. We have a 7-year-old son, and I’m eight weeks pregnant with our second child. So, you want to tell me what’s going on here?”
A young woman with her hands crossed | Source: Freepik
The woman stared at me, her jaw tight, before speaking. “Jacob told me he was divorced.”
“Of course he did,” I said sharply. “And while we’re at it, can you explain how my janitor husband who can barely afford to fix our car managed to impress someone like you?”
Her eyes narrowed, and she stood up, crossing her arms. “Wait a second. What do you mean, janitor? Jacob said his father was a wealthy businessman, and he inherited a fortune.”
A serious red-headed woman | Source: Midjourney
I felt like the floor had fallen out from under me. “What?” I whispered.
The woman’s voice rose with disbelief. “Yes! He told me two years ago that he was visiting the city on a business trip. He was driving a beautiful car—some luxury brand—and he was dining at one of the most expensive restaurants in town. That’s where we met. He said he was just here for a few days, but after we started seeing each other, he decided to stay.”
Two women talking | Source: Midjourney
I shook my head, barely able to process what she was saying. “No, that can’t be true. We’ve been struggling for years. We can’t even afford vacations, let alone luxury cars or fine dining!”
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Jacob’s lies pressing down on both of us. Finally, the woman broke the silence.
“My name is Clara,” she said softly. “And if what you’re telling me is true, then I think we both deserve to hear the truth from him.”
A serious woman in a maternity ward | Source: Midjourney
I nodded, my voice firm. “We’re going to confront him. Together.”
We quickly drove to Clara’s estate and found Jacob in the nursery, holding one of the twins. He looked up, and for a moment, his expression shifted from surprise to sheer panic.
“Emma? What are you doing here?” he stammered.
A shocked man carrying a baby | Source: Midjourney
“You tell me, Jacob,” I snapped. “Why are you here, dressed like a movie star, holding babies that aren’t mine?”
The mistress crossed her arms and glared at him. “And why didn’t you tell me you were married?”
Jacob sighed and set the baby down in the crib. “Look, I can explain.”
“Then explain!” we both said in unison.
Two angry women in a nursery | Source: Midjourney
Jacob ran a hand through his hair and paced the room. “Two years ago, my dad passed. He left me an inheritance—$300,000.”
“What?” I blinked. “You told me he had nothing!”
Jacob sighed. “I told Clara I was in town on business. She believed me. I thought… I thought I could make it work, have a new life. I was going to tell you, Emma, but…”
A sad man on his bed | Source: Pexels
“But what?” I shouted. “You ran out of money?”
The mistress stepped forward, her face pale with fury. “You told me your father was a millionaire, that you were waiting for the rest of the estate to clear!”
Jacob winced. “I… might’ve stretched the truth.”
“Stretched the truth?” she hissed. “You lied to me! To both of us!”
An angry red-headed woman | Source: Freepik
Jacob raised his hands. “Look, I didn’t mean for it to get this far. I was going to figure it out. I just… I needed a way out of this mess.”
I stared at him, my heart breaking into pieces. “You needed a way out? You already had a family, Jacob.”
The mistress turned to me. “I’m done with him. And you should be too.”
Two women talking | Source: Midjourney
Jacob left that night with nothing but the clothes on his back. Neither of us wanted to see him again.
The next week, I filed for divorce. It wasn’t easy, but I had to do it. Tommy deserved better. I deserved better.
Clara made her own decision. “He’s not coming near these babies,” she told me firmly. “I’ll handle things on my end.”
A woman filing for divorce | Source: Pexels
I nodded. “Good. I don’t want him near my family either.”
A few days later, Clara called me. “Emma, I’ve been thinking,” she said. “You’re strong, and you clearly care about family. I know this might sound strange, but I could use someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” I asked cautiously.
A ginger woman talking on her phone | Source: Freepik
“As a nanny,” she said. “I need help with the twins. I’ll pay you well, and you can live in the staff house. It’s… the least I can do after everything.”
I was stunned. At first, I didn’t know what to say, but eventually, I agreed. Clara wasn’t the villain in my story. She was just as deceived as I was, and we both wanted to move forward.
A happy woman talking on her phone | Source: Pexels
Three months later, I gave birth to my second child, a beautiful baby girl. I was working as Clara’s nanny, living in a small but comfortable house on her estate. For the first time in years, I felt stable.
Life wasn’t what I had planned, but it was mine again. Jacob was gone, but I was stronger than I ever knew I could be.
A woman with a baby | Source: Freepik
Sometimes, betrayal leads to freedom. And freedom? That was worth everything.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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