It was a secret that left fans confused – why did Heather Thomas suddenly disappear from the Hollywood reflector at the top of her career?
She had the appearance, talent and magic that competed with any leading lady of 80. Yet her name slowly disappeared from the headlines. What really happened behind the scenes of a guy in the fall?
Was it just another case where the actress was Typecast, or was there a deeper, darker truth under the surface? The real story of Heather Thomas is a triumph, tragedy and an unexpected reversal that changed her life forever.
Heather Thomas, who celebrated her 66th birthday of September, seemed to be designed for a prosperous Hollywood career after playing next to Lee Majors in the fall.
After filming the last episode of the show, however, an unexpected visit to the hospital changed everything. When her mother appeared on the scene with alarming news, the blond actress threw herself into the hospital and believed that her father had a medical emergency.
Upon arrival at Santa Monica Hospital, the affected family and friends met her who assured her that her father Leon was fine. The real problem was that Heather himself.
The fateful day meant the beginning of a deep transformation for the 28 -year -old, and transformed her personal and professional life.
Heather Thomas: A star on the rise
Thomas, born with a natural talent for acting, owned beauty and charisma comparable to icons like Farrah Fawcett and Heather Locklear.
At just 14 years old, she hosted a giant, NBC show, where she and other teenagers spoke to celebrities. After the completion of the Thomas High School, he watched film and theater studios at UCLA and secured small roles, including one in the short-term sitcom of the co-founder of Fever (1979). She had the ambition to become an actress, director, and writer.
Breakthrough
In 1980, an actress born in Connecticut landed her breakthrough role as Jody Banks in the autumn of Guy, where she played next to Lee Major, in hunter stunts. Her performance gained over the audience, especially men who considered her a se*ual symbol – a picture of which she had mixed feelings.
“There is some condescension that comes with this label,” Thomas told People magazine. “You get to the stereotype of blonde bimbo.” But at that time I was just having fun. ”
Unfortunately, along with her growing glory, Thomas fought with the abuse of addictive substances – a problem that began long before her role in the autumn guys.
Battle with addiction
Thomas revealed that her use of addictive substances began in the sixth grade when she experimented with drugs to maintain high academic performance. “I took acid and got straight A.” I thought it was expanding my mind, ”she recalled.
When she moved into adulthood, her use of drugs intensified. When participating in UCLA, she started using cocaine and until 1981,only one year until autumn – her addiction deteriorated.
She felt under pressure to maintain the condition of her se*ual symbol, the 5’7 actress, “was strengthened to her weight using a diuretic lasix that had it exhausted. To suppress exhaustion, she turned to cocaine to increase energy.
“At the beginning it seemed like a miracle medicine.” It kept me up all night and worked the next day, ”she admitted as she insisted that she had never used drugs on the scene. “Cocaine is not accepted on the scene.” It’s not fine. It’s just a private hell. ”
Despite her claims, a source close to her suggests that her drug use influenced her career. “People knew they were fighting,” the initiate revealed. Thomas’s weight fell from £ 125 to £ 105 and often fell asleep. “Sometimes I was in a mini-coma,” she said.
Her struggles got to her head as she collapsed in front of Lee Majors, which made her manager and her mother tct. After the autumn, she packed her, her mother, Gladdy Ryder, a former special education teacher, attracted her to the hospital under the pretext of a family emergency.
In the Hospital of St. Jana, she urged her to enter the three-day rehabilitation program.
“It was a huge relief,” Thomas admitted. “When I signed up for detoxification, I had pneumonia, scarred lungs and inflamed kidneys.” I was at a descending spiral and if my family didn’t hit, I may have lost my job – or worse. ”
The doctors warned her that she should have been dead three years earlier.
New beginning
Thomas was determined to remain clean, surrounded by people who supported her recovery. She married Allan Rosenthal, co-founder of KCocaineAnonymous, but their relationship ended in divorce in 1986.
In the same year, the tragedy hit when it was hit by a car while crossing the street and suffered serious leg injuries.
Despite these failures, Thomas returned to playing with smaller roles. It appeared in 1987, Cyclone and Red Blooded American Girl alongside Christopher Plummer.
Life outside Hollywood
In 1992 Thomas married a lawyer for fun to skip Brittenham. Together they focused on the reconstruction of their lives and in June 2000 welcomed their only biological child, India Rose. She also became the stepmother of Kristina and Shauna.
Thomas was thinking about his transition from negotiations and explained, “I had restrictive orders to 45 different people. I was on everything from toilet ashes to ashtrays. Then I fell in love, had two little girls and decided to retreat from Hollywood to write. ”
Although she returned briefly in 2017 2017, she eventually distanced herself from playing all night, not because of lack of opportunities, but because of security concerns.
“I was persecuted.” One man even jumped with a knife barrier. With the two small children I could raise, I had to prefer their safety, ”she said. “Now I assume I’m old enough to stay alone.”
Instead of performing, Thomas devoted himself to activism, served on the albums of the Rape and the Amazon Conservation Team.
Receiving feminism
Thomas also accepted feminism, a term that some could consider surprising for a former se*ual symbol.
“When I was younger, I did what others expected from me.” But as I got older, I refused to compromise – for much and freedom. Being a se*ual symbol gave me a house and sufficient glory to open the door, ”she said. “There’s nothing wrong with showing your body.” I never felt like I was betrayed. Feminists should not be ashamed of their bodies. ”
Although it is unfortunate that she has not returned to playing, we are glad that Heather Thomas has found healing and found fulfilling a new way. We will always remember it as Jody Banks from Fall Guy, one of the most popular 80s.
Heather Thomas was one of the durability, transformation, and rediscovery. From the growing Hollywood stars to the fighting of personal struggles, overcoming addiction and withdrawal from the reflector, they face the challenges that have transformed their life. While her acting career could capture the back seat, her commitment to defend and writing gave her a fulfilling new way. Despite the difficulties she had faced, Thomas found strength in the family, recovery, and a newly discovered purpose over the glory. Fans can remember the best like Jody Banks from Fall Guy, but her story is proof of perseverance and strength of personal growth.