Heather Thomas is an American actress, author, screenwriter and political activist, best known for her role as Jody Banks in the hugely successful 1980s action-adventure TV show The Fall Guy. She was paired with Lee Majors, and became one of the most identifiable television stars during the decade and a huge pop culture icon. Thomas has not only acted, but has also become a writer and political activist. She has been involved in political fundraising, grassroots politics, and written the novel Trophies and worked on screenwriting projects. Weary of the regular acting she eventually left the industry, devoting her time to her family, writing and activism.
Who is Heather Thomas?
Heather Anne Thomas is an American actress who became nationally famous in the early ’80s with The Fall Guy. Her performance as Jody Banks made her one of the leading women of that time in television.
Later, she went on to write and become politically active. She has seen a significant cut down in her acting career, but has made a number of appearances in film and television.
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Heather Anne Thomas |
| Profession | Actress, Author, Screenwriter, Activist |
| Date of Birth | September 8, 1957 |
| Age in 2026 | 68 Years |
| Birthplace | Greenwich, Connecticut, USA |
| Hometown | Santa Monica / Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Santa Monica High School; UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television |
| Graduation | UCLA, 1980 |
| Marital Status | Widowed |
| Children | One daughter |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Heather Thomas Age
She was born in Greenwich, Connecticut on September 8, 1957. She is 68 years old in 2026. Her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Heather Thomas Physical Appearance and Lifestyle
Thomas is approximately 5 feet 5½ inches (1.66 m) tall and has been reported to weigh around 134 lbs (61 kg). Heather Thomas is an American actress who became a prominent 1980s pop culture icon, particularly known for her role in The Fall Guy. She was recognized for her long blonde hair, blue eyes, and glamorous television image. During the 1980s, her voluminous blonde hair, casual athletic clothing, and denim-heavy style reflected the era’s popular television aesthetic. Her appearances in swimwear and posters also contributed to her status as one of the recognizable pin-up figures of 1980s popular culture.
Family Background
Heather Thomas was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, and grew up in an academically oriented family. Her mother, Gladdy Lou Ryder, worked as an education teacher, while her father, Leon Thomas, served as a university dean. Raised alongside her siblings, Thomas spent her early years in an intellectual and education-focused household. She has talked about how her childhood and early exposure to social and political thought have influenced her. These experiences led her to an interest in political activism and progressive causes later on.
Early Life and Education
Thomas was born in Connecticut and spent most of his childhood in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. She went to Santa Monica High School and then on to UCLA.
Heather graduated from the School of Theater, Film and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1980. She is now best known as an actress but had writing and directing aspirations.
Thomas got an early start in showbiz. Co-Ed Fever was one of her first television shows, with the likes of The Love Boat and T.J. Hooker. It was The Fall Guy, which gave her a big break in her career as Jody Banks.
Heather Thomas Husband
Allan Rosenthal (1985-1986)
Before her long marriage to Skip Brittenham, Heather Thomas was married to psychotherapist Allan Rosenthal. The couple married in August 1985, but their relationship was relatively brief. They divorced in September 1986, ending the marriage after approximately one year. Rosenthal is also known for being one of the founders of Cocaine Anonymous, a twelve-step recovery organization.
Skip Brittenham (1992–2025)
In October 1992, Heather Thomas married Harry Marcus “Skip” Brittenham, a prominent Hollywood entertainment attorney. The couple remained married for nearly 33 years until Brittenham’s death on July 17, 2025, at the age of 83. Together, they had one daughter, India Rose Brittenham, who was born in 2000. Thomas also became a stepmother to Brittenham’s two daughters, Kristina and Shauna, from a previous relationship.
During their marriage, Brittenham represented several high-profile Hollywood figures, including Harrison Ford and Eddie Murphy. Thomas and Brittenham also hosted monthly political and fundraising breakfasts at their home. The couple shared an interest in outdoor activities and owned a fly-fishing ranch in Wyoming, where they spent time together away from their professional lives.
Heather Thomas Career
Breakthrough by The Fall Guy
Thomas’s pivotal acting role was in 1981’s The Fall Guy. She portrayed stunt woman Jody Banks, who made a heroic appearance with Lee Majors’ character, Colt Seavers. Combining action, comedy, stunt work and adventure, the series proved to be a big TV hit of the 1980s. Her role was one which made her one of the decade’s most recognised tv celebrities. She was popular not just for the series and was a popular pin-up during this time. She stayed with the show until its final year (1986).
Film Career
Thomas’s first film was Zapped! in 1982, then went on to star in a number of other movie and TV roles. She made some more films as well, including the 2014 feature film Girltrash: All Night Long. She also had a cameo role in The Fall Guy movie in 2024, with Lee Majors. While she did not have as long of a career in film as television, these roles helped her stay connected to the entertainment industry.
Writing Career
Thomas started writing more after she scaled back on her acting career.
In 2008 she published her novel Trophies, and has been working on screenwriting. Aside from her acting role, she had an ambition to write, which came to fruition as she became interested in writing. Her decision to focus on writing additionally provided the chance to work creatively without the same level of public exposure she has as a tv star.
Political Activism
Thomas has been involved in political activism and fundraising for many years. She has worked and been interested in progressive political fundraising, grassroots organizing, and politics. She linked to the Regime Change Cafe, which was a salon-type event for bringing together activists, political supporters and donors.
In her efforts to spread awareness, she showcased her talents and passion for activism, which is a crucial aspect of her life following a hiatus from her acting career.
Career Highlights
| Project / Period | Details |
| The Fall Guy (1981–1986) | Jody Banks; breakthrough television role |
| Zapped! (1982) | Film debut |
| 1980s | Major television and pop-culture recognition |
| Trophies (2008) | Published novel |
| Girltrash: All Night Long (2014) | Later film appearance |
| The Fall Guy (2024) | Cameo alongside Lee Majors |
| Activism | Political fundraising and grassroots organizing |
Interesting Facts About Heather Thomas
- She is best known for her role as Jody Banks on The Fall Guy.
- Among the most recognizable television pin-up figures of the ’80s was her.
- She is a graduate of the 1980 class of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.
- There were originally ambitions to write and direct.
- She first entered films in 1982 in a film named Zapped!
- In 2008, she released her novel, Trophies.
- She is a screen writer.
- She has engaged in political actions throughout the last decades.
Heather Thomas Net Worth
A television actress who weathers through the 1980s to build up her estimated net worth of $2 million is Heather Thomas. Her co-starring in the popular action-adventure series, The Fall Guy, with Lee Majors as Jody Banks brought her the biggest financial success of her life.
Social Media Presence
Heather Thomas keeps a low profile online that is unmatched among a lot of the more up to the time popular music stars. The Fall Guy was followed by retrospective mentions of her name in coverage of the series, interviews, political and entertainment news.
- Instagram: @heartherthomasofficial (2.4K followers)
Why Is Heather Thomas Leaving Acting?
Thomas gradually slowed down her acting career through the 1990s, and she virtually made it her living room after 1998. A variety of factors contributed to her decision, such as her experiences being stalked, the need for family privacy, overcoming personal challenges of recovery, and the development of her passion for writing and political activism. But instead of leaving the world of creation, she turned her focus toward writing, screenwriting and more, occasionally appearing on screen.
Conclusion
Heather Thomas was a huge character on TV as Jody Banks in The Fall Guy, and one of the most recognisable actresses in the 1980s. This series is responsible for her being widely known as a pop culture icon because of how successful it was. But beyond her TV persona, she had a life and a career. She weathered the personal storms, abandoned acting on the stage, published a book, worked as a screen writer and started a family and was active in politics and fundraising. Then in 2026 Thomas is still going strong in The Fall Guy and will still be remembered for her acting, writing and activist career at 68.
FAQs
A1. Heather Thomas is an American actress, author, screenwriter and political activist best known for playing Jody Banks on The Fall Guy.
A2. Her age is 68 years. The date of her birth was September 8th, 1957.
A3. Her most well known role was as Jody Banks in the action/adventure TV series The Fall Guy, which aired from 1981 to 1986.
A4. Avoiding regular acting duties, stalking incidents, she became more withdrawn to family obligations, privacy issues and started to focus on writing and activism instead.
A5. Yes. In 1992, she tied the knot with entertainment attorney Harry “Skip” Brittenham. They were married until July 2025, when he died.
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