It’s not often you see a face from the golden age of ‘80s TV reappear out in the wild — especially someone who seemed to vanish at the height of their fame.
But this week, Heather Thomas, once known as the daring, blonde stunt queen of The Fall Guy, made a rare appearance in Los Angeles, reminding everyone of the powerhouse she used to be — and still is.
Stepping into the sunshine for a quick cigarette break, the now 67-year-old looked relaxed, casual, and confident.
Time might have passed, but that signature glow? Still very much there.
The Look That Stopped Traffic (Then and Now)
Dressed in a camouflage tee, crisp white shorts, and white sneakers with neon green accents, Thomas paired her laid-back outfit with a wide-brimmed straw hat to block the summer heat.
She was joined by a friend in a breezy dress, and the two chatted like any old friends catching up — except this catch-up happened to involve one of the most elusive women in Hollywood.
It was the first time she’d been seen publicly in nearly 20 years — aside from occasional podcast chats and the odd red-carpet photo.
The Rise of a TV Legend
Long before she became a household name, Heather Thomas was just a young teen interviewing stars on Talking with a Giant, an NBC series where she got her first taste of the spotlight.
Small roles followed, but nothing stuck—until she landed the part of Jody Banks in The Fall Guy, starring alongside Lee Majors and Douglas Barr.
The show ran from 1981 to 1986 and became a smash hit.
Audiences loved Thomas — not just because she was stunning, but because her character grew from sidekick to a strong, capable action heroine.
She wasn’t just there for eye candy; she was leaping off buildings, racing motorcycles, and holding her own in every scene.
When Fame Becomes a Threat
But behind the bright lights and success, things got dark fast.
The level of unwanted attention she attracted was more than uncomfortable — it was dangerous.
By the late ’90s, Thomas found herself dealing with a horrifying number of stalkers.
So much so, she pulled away from acting completely.
“It was really bad. At least two stalkers a week,” she said on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.
“I had restraining orders, two little girls, and guys jumping the gate with giant knives.”
Some of the incidents were terrifying. Heather recounted receiving boxes of bullets and stolen funeral wreaths.
One man even broke into her bedroom — she ended up shooting him with rock salt and birdshot.
Life After Hollywood
Leaving Hollywood was the only option. Even though the obsessive attention didn’t fade immediately, she eventually found peace.
Today, she shares a quieter life with her husband, entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham, whom she married in 1992.
Together, they’ve raised three daughters: Shauna, Kristina, and India.
Thomas never fully left creativity behind, though.
She released her debut novel, Trophies, in 2008 and even wrote a screenplay titled School Slut.
Her energy shifted into activism too, serving on advisory boards for the Rape Foundation and the Amazon Conservation Team.
Making a Subtle Comeback
Heather dipped her toes back into acting with a small role in the 2014 musical comedy Girltrash: All Night Long, but she didn’t fully resurface in Hollywood until 2024.
That year, she made a nostalgic cameo in the big-screen adaptation of The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
The reboot was loosely based on the original series that made her famous.
At the premiere, she made light of the years that had passed. “I’m geriatric,” she joked.
“I’m just happy I can walk the red carpet at this point,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Honoring the Stunt Heroes
While at the premiere, Thomas didn’t hold back her admiration for the real stars behind the action — the stunt performers.
She praised their grit, discipline, and the literal hits they take to make on-screen magic possible.
“They’re out there doing real training, real falls, and taking real risks,” she said.
It was a full-circle moment for a woman who once leaped off moving vehicles for a living — and who knows better than most how much courage that takes.
