Heather Thomas, who celebrated her 66th birthday on September 8, is a name many remember fondly from the 1980s. She was famous for her role as Jody Banks, the tough and talented stuntwoman in the hit show The Fall Guy, where she starred alongside Lee Majors, who was already a superstar thanks to his role in The Six Million Dollar Man.
Everyone thought Heather was on the fast track to a brilliant Hollywood career, but life had other plans.
One day, while filming the final episode of The Fall Guy, Heather received shocking news that sent her rushing to the hospital. She thought her father, Leon, was in serious trouble because her mother showed up on set looking worried. However, when she got to the Santa Monica hospital, her family and friends greeted her with relief.
They reassured her that her father was doing just fine but that they were really worried about her. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in Heather’s life, one that would change everything for the 28-year-old actress.
Heather Thomas was not just another pretty face; she was a talented actress with a natural beauty that reminded people of icons like Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear. Her journey in showbiz began when she was just 14 years old, hosting a teen talk show called Talking with a Giant on NBC.
She interviewed celebrities and quickly realized her passion for entertainment. After studying theater and film at UCLA, she landed her first major role in the short-lived comedy series Co-Ed Fever in 1979.
But it was her role in The Fall Guy that truly made her a household name. As Jody Banks, Heather became a beloved figure, especially among male viewers who saw her as a glamorous sex symbol. However, Heather had mixed feelings about this label.
She once told People magazine, “There was an 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.”
Unfortunately, Heather’s enjoyment came at a price. Even before she became famous, she had started using drugs in the sixth grade to keep her grades up. “I was taking acid and getting straight As,” she recalled. But as she transitioned from a carefree teenager to a young adult, her drug use escalated.
While studying at UCLA, she began using cocaine, and things got worse after she started filming The Fall Guy in 1981. Heather struggled to maintain her weight and turned to diuretics like Lasix, which made her feel sluggish, so she used cocaine to boost her energy.
She explained, “At first, I was still getting used to the medicine. I thought I was receiving a good deal on my purchase.” But her drug use was taking a toll. A close friend revealed to People, “Word was out on Heather. People were aware of her issue.”
Her weight dropped dramatically, and she often felt like she was in a “minicoma,” leading to a frightening incident where she fainted in front of Lee Majors. Concerned for her well-being, he contacted her manager and mother.
That’s when her mother, Gladdy Ryder, a former special education teacher, rushed to the set to deliver the news that Heather’s father was in the hospital. After the series finale, Heather hurried to St. John’s Hospital, where her family and friends were waiting to support her.
They had arranged for her to enter a three-week drug rehabilitation program. “It was a big relief to me,” Heather later said. When she checked into detox, doctors found that she had pneumonia, scarred lungs, and swollen kidneys. “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 revealed.
The Fall Guy reunion (Heather Thomas and Lee Majors) at Fanboy Expo Orlando… pic.twitter.com/6BHitvP6Nz
— Stacey Adam (@oldandbitterest) September 4, 2022
Determined to turn her life around, Heather surrounded herself with supportive people who shared her goals. During this time, she met Allan Rosenthal, a co-founder of Cocaine Anonymous, and they eventually married.
However, their marriage didn’t last, and Heather filed for divorce in September 1986. Just when things seemed to be stabilizing, she was hit by a car while crossing the street, severely injuring her legs.
After her recovery, Heather returned to acting, but her roles were mostly smaller parts in TV shows and movies like Cyclone (1987) and Red Blooded American Girl (1990), which starred Christopher Plummer. But the 1990s brought a fresh start for her.
She married entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham in 1992, and in June 2000, she welcomed her only biological child, a daughter named India Rose. She also became a stepmother to Skip’s two daughters, Kristina and Shauna.
“I decided to give it up and write for a while,” she told Reuters, explaining that she had experienced serious harassment from stalkers. “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.” Heather felt that as she got older, she could live a quieter life, away from the spotlight.
In addition to her family life, Heather became an activist, serving on the boards of the Amazon Conservation Team and the Rape Foundation. She embraced her identity as a feminist, explaining, “When I was younger, I followed people’s instructions, but as I grew older, I refused to compromise.
I desired independence and control.” She emphasized that being proud of her body and her past did not mean she was ashamed; instead, it was about owning her story.
Although it’s sad that Heather Thomas hasn’t returned to acting, we’re glad she found the support she needed and is now on a lifelong journey of healing. We fondly remember her as Jody Banks in The Fall Guy, alongside Lee Majors, one of the many fantastic shows from the 1980s!
What do you think of Heather’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!
