Marlo Thomas’ Journey Began with Her Father, Danny Thomas
Marlo Thomas has always had a special place in her heart for her father, the legendary Danny Thomas. Her acting career kicked off in 1961 when she appeared on her dad’s sitcom, Make Room for Daddy. It was a show that truly embodied the bond between father and daughter. At the Ms. Foundation for Women Gloria Awards in New York City, Marlo opened up to Closer Weekly, sharing heartfelt memories. “He was just so much fun and so loving,” Marlo reminisced. “He unconditionally loved me. He never hesitated to show his affection, and it was something I carried with me throughout my life.”
A Legacy of Love and Affirmation
Danny Thomas wasn’t just a loving father; he was also an affirming one. He never grew tired of telling Marlo how incredible she was. “I was ‘the smartest girl who was ever born’ and ‘the prettiest girl who was ever born,’” Marlo shared with a laugh. “He was a very supportive dad to me, my sister [Terre], and my brother [Tony]. Even on the phone, he would greet me with, ‘Hello, my beauty.’ It’s those little things that stay with you forever.”
Lessons Beyond Words
Beyond the compliments, Danny Thomas instilled valuable life lessons in his daughter. “He taught me to be observant,” Marlo said. “He encouraged me to notice what’s going on around me, to pay attention to people who might be struggling or being overlooked. He believed that if you notice things, you’ll be compelled to act. But so many of us go through life distracted, thinking only about our next party, promotion, or date.”
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Marlo has taken her father’s teachings to heart, following in his footsteps as the national outreach director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which Danny founded in 1962. “I always feel my father’s presence when I’m at St. Jude,” Marlo shared. “I wear his ring all the time—it’s like a talisman for me. When things get tough, I touch it and think, ‘Dad, let’s do this together.’ It’s a way of keeping him close.”
