See Marlo Thomas From “That Girl” Today At 84 - Best Life

Depending on your age, the reason you know who Marlo Thomas is will differ. Thomas came to fame on That Girl, which she also produced, in the late 1960s. In the 1980s, she won an Emmy for the TV movie Nobody’s Child. In the ’90s, she played Rachel’s mom on Friends. Plus, she is also widely known for her work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, appearing frequently in TV ads for the cause. The now-84-year-old actor has had a lengthy and varied career, and she’s still working today. Along with continuing to take on TV and film roles, she also hosts a podcast with her husband and has written books. Read on to find out more about That Girl’s life today.

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Her acting career spans seven decades.

Thomas has written seven books, including children’s books, books about her own life, and a book about marriage that she co-wrote with her husband, talk show host Phil Donahue. Thomas’ first children’s book Free to Be… You and Me ended up becoming a franchise that includes TV specials and music that encourages kids to be themselves and learn that their gender doesn’t determine what they can achieve. Thomas’ latest book, What Makes a Marriage Last, was published in 2020. She and Donahue spoke to 40 couples about how they make their long marriages work. The pair also have a podcast, Double Date, about the same topic.

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She’s been married for 41 years.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was founded by Thomas’ father in 1962. The hospital treats children with diseases such as cancer and provides care for free. Thomas is the National Outreach Director for St. Jude and devotes herself to the cause.

“I honestly can’t tell you where my thoughts of St. Jude begin and where they end,” she told Town & Country in June. “If I’m not in a board meeting, I’m on the phone talking to a corporate sponsor, working on a fundraising video, or speaking at a hospital event. I even dream about the kids and their families.”

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.