Marlo Thomas' Life before Becoming Famous for Playing Ann Marie on 'That Girl'

Marlo Thomas might be living a life of fame and fortune now, but she wasn't always that lucky. She defied the odds and carved a name for herself.

Grammy Award-winning actress Marlo Thomas is best known for her starring role on the sitcom "That Girl." She has received four Emmys, a Golden Globe, and the George Foster Peabody Award over the years.

While the tiny actress doesn't look like a fighter, looks can be deceiving. The 5 feet 3 inches tall actress fought tooth and nail to make it as far as she did in the industry.

Before Fame

Margaret Thomas was born on November 21, 1937. She first went by the nickname Margo and then Marlo.

She was born in Deerfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit and was one of three children. Her parents are the entertainer Danny Thomas and his wife, Rosie.

She schooled at Marymount High School in Los Angeles. Marlo went on to study at the University of Southern California and was a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta. She graduated with a teaching degree, saying:

"I wanted a piece of paper that said I was qualified to do something in the world."

Early Career

After university, she decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry instead. Marlo went on to land roles in shows like "Bonanza," "McHale's Navy," "Ben Casey," "Arrest and Trial," and "The Donna Reed Show."

In 1965, she had her big break when Mike Nichols cast her in the London production of Neil Simon’s "Barefoot in the Park."In 1986, he cast her again this time on Broadway in Andrew Bergman’s "Social Security."

Marlo then teamed up with her father in the gripping 1961 episode, "Honor Bright," on CBS's "Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre." By the time she starred in "That Girl," Marlo had built a solid reputation for herself.

Her Own Show

Her role in starred in an ABC pilot called "Two's Company" caught the eye of an ABC programming executive. He approached her with the idea to create her own series, and Thomas came up with her own idea for a show about a young woman who leaves home and struggles to become an actress.

The network was initially hesitant about the idea. They feared audiences would find a series focused on a single female unrealistic at the time.

However, the concept eventually gave rise to the popular sitcom called "That Girl." At the time, Marlo was the second woman to produce her own series, with only Lucille Ball doing so before her. The show aired from 1966 to 1971 and produced 136 episodes.

Feminism

Marlo fought against rampant sexism and other obstacles that stood in her path to secure her spot. In one interview she said:

“My whole life I've had my dukes up. I've probably been a closet feminist all my life—but didn't know it.”

Over the years, she has used her many talents to push the boundaries. She appeared in shows like “Acts of Love —And Other Comedies” and created a unique children's album called “Free to Be . . . You and Me.”

The album aims to teach children that life's activities should not be gender-based. She has worked hard to use her talents to continue fighting gender stereotypes and sexism in Hollywood.

View on Marriage

Marlo once revealed that in her "last year in college was when ‘engagement fever’ hit." She opened up saying:

"Everybody wanted to get married and have a baby. ‘What's this big rush to get married?’ I would ask. I was like a crazy Jesuit priest trying to convert people. I used to feel I'd never get married. That I would lose my Self if I did. Then I felt guilty. I figured there was something wrong with me—not the institution or our attitudes—just me. Now I no longer feel that way. I think it is possible for two people to confront each other with their two Selves and not lose anything in the process.”

However, her views later changed, and she had a long relationship with playwright Herb Gardner. Then in 1977, Thomas was a guest on "Donahue."

During the show, she met host Phil Donahue who she reportedly "fell in love at first sight." They were married on May 21, 1980, and raised his five children.