Heather Thomas, who turned 66 on September 8, was well-known for her leading part opposite Lee Majors in The Fall Guy and was expected to have a very successful Hollywood career.
However, the stunning blonde hurried to the hospital, thinking her father had an emergency, when the actor’s mother appeared on set during the filming of the show’s conclusion.
She was informed by her relatives and friends who met her at the Santa Monica hospital that her father, Leon, was doing well and that they were worried about her.
This was only the start of a new adventure for the 28-year-old woman, whose job and personal life had totally changed as a result of her hospital stay.
Discover what became of the 1980s pinup girl by continuing to read!
With a natural beauty and ability comparable to that of Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear, Heather Thomas pursued her passion.
When the girl was just 14 years old, she presented the talk show Talking with a Giant on NBC, where she and four other teenagers conducted celebrity interviews.
Thomas, now 66, studied theater and cinema at UCLA with the goal of advancing her career as an actor, director, and writer. The year before she graduated, she made an appearance in the short-lived comedy series Co-Ed Fever (1979).
The Connecticut-born performer landed her first major part in 1980 in the television series The Fall Guy, supporting Lee Majors, who became well-known throughout the world in the 1970s for his portrayal of Steven Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man.
As the popular action show’s stuntwoman-bounty hunter Jody Banks, Thomas was adored by men who saw her as a sex symbol—a label about which she acknowledges she feels conflicted.
Thomas told People that there was “obligatory condescension that goes with that.” “The blonde bimbo is a stereotype that you fit into. But I was simply enjoying myself at the moment.
Regretfully, she was enjoying herself excessively when using drugs, a tendency that predates her portrayal of Jody Banks.
Her history with drugs began in the sixth grade, when she began abusing narcotics to keep her grades at the top. “I was taking acid and getting straight As,” Thomas declared. I simply believed it to be mind-blowing.
Her drug use changed as her mentality matured from that of a child to an adult.
Thomas began taking cocaine while she was a student at UCLA, and her drug use worsened in 1981, a year after she started filming The Fall Guy.
Additionally, the 5-foot-7 Thomas developed an obsession with weight and began taking Lasix, a diuretic that may produce extreme sleepiness, feeling as though she had to live up to her reputation as a sex symbol.
She took additional cocaine to give her an energy boost in order to combat the sluggishness.
“At first, I was still getting used to the medicine. I thought I was receiving a good deal on my purchase. She asserted that she had never used cocaine on site and that it had allowed her to work through the night. It is not permitted to use cocaine on sets. It’s no longer clubby to carry it out. It’s merely a personal torment.
A person close to the performer told People that her drug usage was hurting her career, despite her statements to the contrary. According to the source, “word was out on Heather.” “People were aware of her issue.”
Between takes, Thomas’s weight plummeted from 125 to 105 pounds and he was fast asleep. Thomas said, “I was in a minicoma sometimes.”
Subsequently, she fainted in front of Majors, who subsequently contacted her manager and her mother.
Her mother, Gladdy Ryder, a former special education teacher, showed up on the set of The Fall Guy to tell her daughter that her father was in the hospital after the series finale concluded.
The writer of “Trophies” hurried to St. John’s Hospital, where she was welcomed by relatives and friends who were prepared to have her admitted into the three-week drug program.
Thomas remarked of that day, “It was a big relief to me.” She also mentioned that she had pneumonia, scarred lungs, and swollen kidneys when she checked into detox. “I wanted to get off the roller coaster I’d been on.” I most likely would have continued on my merry way till I lost my job or passed away if my family hadn’t stepped in.
“The doctors said I should have died three years ago,” she continued.
Thomas, who was dedicated to her recovery, surrounded herself with people who shared her values and would help her achieve her drug-free objectives. That’s when Allan Rosenthal, a co-founder of Cocaine Anonymous, and 28-year-old Thomas first met. She later got married to him and filed for divorce in September 1986.
She was hit by a car while crossing the street that same month, severely injuring both of her legs.
Following her detox, divorce, and surgery to heal severe damage to one leg, Thomas resumed her career, albeit in minor roles in TV shows. She also starred in movies including the 1987 movie Cyclone and the 1990 Canadian movie Red Blooded American Girl, which starred Christopher Plummer.
After putting her past behind her, Thomas made a fresh start in the 1990s. In an effort to further her career, she married entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham in 1992. In June 2000, Thomas gave birth to her only biological child, India Rose, while also assuming the role of stepmother to his two daughters, Kristina and Shauna.
“I decided to give it up and write for a while,” she told Reuters, “because I had about 45 restraining orders out, and I was on everything from a toilet seat cover to an ashtray—and I was in love, and [then] had two little girls.”
With a primary focus on writing, the actress from Zapped! claimed that frequent privacy violations by stalkers drove her away from acting, rather than a lack of roles.
“I was being really harassed. One day, I witnessed a person use a knife to scale the fence. That was it; I had these two small kids who needed to be raised so badly. However, I believe that now that I am older, people won’t annoy me as much.
In addition, Thomas is currently an activist, having previously served on the boards of the Amazon Conservation Team and the Rape Foundation.
Declaring oneself a feminist—a deceptive term for a former gender symbol—Thomas elucidated the significance of both.
“When I was younger, I followed people’s instructions, but as I grew older, I refused to compromise.” I desired independence and control. This got me a house and the recognition I needed to open doors. Having people see your body is not inherently bad. I don’t believe I deceived myself. Being a feminist, in my opinion, does not entail body shame, the woman stated.
Although it’s really unfortunate that Heather Thomas was unable to return to the acting world, we’re glad she received the support she required and is now embarking on a lifelong healing process.
We really enjoyed watching her as Jody Banks in The Fall Guy with the Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors, one of the many amazing shows from the 1980s!
What you have to say about Thomas and her recuperation would be greatly appreciated!
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BRAD PITT’S STUNNING RED CARPET DEBUT WITH INES DE RAMON LEAVES VENICE BUZZING
Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon made a stylish red carpet debut at an event. While some online users have expressed happiness for the duo, others have posted comments riddled with lookalike theories and speculations.
Stealing the spotlight at the Venice International Film Festival, Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon made a striking red carpet debut in Italy on September 1. Their appearance has prompted a wave of mixed reactions from netizens who have seen the online photos of the duo, with some comparing Ines to a certain someone from Brad’s past.
For the prestigious event, which they attended for the premiere of Brad’s new movie *Wolfs*, Ines and Brad went for a black-and-white theme. Ines wore a chic, white, one-shoulder bodycon dress. She matched it with metallic heels and elegant, dangling earrings.
Ines’ beau looked dashing in an all-black outfit, including a double-breasted tuxedo jacket, flared pants, and a black t-shirt.
Throughout the evening, Brad and Ines shared several romantic moments, embracing each other and exchanging affectionate glances.
At one point, the evening turned into a bit of a double date when Brad and Ines were joined by the famous couple George and Amal Clooney. George was also at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of “Wolfs,” in which he co-stars with Brad.
Amal looked stunning in a ruffled, sleeveless, pastel-yellow gown, while George matched her elegance in a classic black tuxedo.
Brad also posed for solo photos with his co-stars Amy Ryan and Austin Abrams. Reports mention that Brad and his girlfriend, Ines, attended the Venice Film Festival just two days after Brad’s ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, was seen at the event for the premiere of her new movie, *Maria*.
When photos of Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon at the Venice Film Festival appeared online, social media users quickly shared their thoughts. Many were excited to see them together, praising Ines for her beauty and wishing the couple well.
One fan on Facebook wrote, “Good for him. He moved on. So should [you’s],” while another commented, “She is extremely beautiful.” Someone else wished Brad luck, saying, “Good Luck Brad Pitt. Hopefully she’s a Keeper.”
However, not everyone was positive. Some people criticized the relationship or questioned if it was just for publicity. One user wrote, “Shame on him,” and another asked, “Wonder if this is just for publicity?”
Additionally, some users compared Ines to famous women from Brad’s past. One person even noted, “She resembles [Meghan Markle].”
One Facebook user commented, “This young woman is not as pretty as Jennifer Aniston. I hope he learned something after his past relationships, but men usually don’t. Good luck to his new girlfriend. The only good thing is that he is older.”
Adding to the comparisons, one observer wrote, “LMAO can see Angelina’s face.” Another commented, “Jolie is much more attractive,” and someone else added, “She isn’t Jolie.”
While some people may be disappointed that Ines doesn’t look like Brad’s ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, it’s clear that Brad is very happy with her. According to a source, the couple had a wonderful summer before the Venice Film Festival.
The source mentioned that Brad has been working in Europe, which allowed them to spend a lot of time together there. The source said, “Brad is serious about Ines. He’s really happy and enjoys being with her. She’s easygoing, and everyone likes her.”
Brad and Ines first became linked in November 2022 when they were seen at a Bono concert. Soon after, they were also spotted at the premiere and afterparty for Brad’s movie “Babylon” in Los Angeles.
By July 2023, a source close to Brad and Ines said their relationship was still “going very strong.” The same source shared how much they enjoy being together.
In February 2024, another source revealed that Ines had moved into Brad’s home, although she still has her own place.
In July, Brad and Ines were seen at the British Grand Prix in Northampton, England. Before that, in May, they were spotted taking a peaceful morning walk on the beach in Santa Barbara, which got a lot of attention online.
The couple looked relaxed and comfortable at the event, dressing casually for the occasion. Some people online noticed that Ines seemed to have features similar to Brad’s famous exes, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
One person commented, “I can’t help but see a mix of both his ex-wives in her. It’s like combining Angelina and Jennifer into one.”
Another said, “She looks like a younger Angelina.” However, opinions varied. One Facebook user mentioned, “She doesn’t look like Angelina at all. She’s missing the cheekbones.”
While some focused on her resemblance to Brad’s exes, others praised Ines for her own unique beauty and the couple’s strong connection. “She looks beautiful just as herself. No need to compare her to Angie,” said a supportive comment on Facebook.
Fans have been discussing the deeper side of Brad and Ines’ relationship, appreciating how genuine Ines is. Some people commented, “Now he has someone who stands up for him,” and “Ines is the real deal. She’s not after money or fame. They seem to have a lot in common. I hope it works out!”
When they were spotted at the beach, they both wore white outfits, which added a touch of elegance to their casual stroll. Brad wore a white t-shirt with a loosely buttoned polo shirt and cream pants that suited the beach setting. He also had on orange sunglasses and was holding a drink, indicating a relaxed day.
Ines complemented Brad’s style with her own white flowy sundress that had a thigh-high slit. She finished her look with a sleeveless green puffer jacket and white sneakers.
This backdrop of personal changes for Ines mirrors Brad’s ongoing divorce saga, emphasizing how both are dealing with breakups in the public eye.
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