Let me just say this upfront — I grew up thinking Marlo Thomas was some kind of magical being. You know, the kind of person who just existed, sort of like peanut butter or reruns of The Brady Bunch. But recently I found myself googling how old is Marlo Thomas (not proud, but curious minds gotta know). And turns out, the answer is way more interesting than a number.
Let’s unpack that, shall we?
The Question on Everyone’s Mind: How Old Is Marlo Thomas?
So first things first — how old is Marlo Thomas?
She was born on November 21, 1937. That makes her… well, you do the math (okay fine — she’s in her late 80s). But here’s the thing: you wouldn’t know it. She still radiates that same spark from her That Girl days.
Honestly, I’ve seen houseplants that’ve aged worse than her. And yes, I’m looking at my dried-out spider plant that gave up in June.
But how old is Marlo Thomas really? It’s not just about years — it’s about impact. And this woman has lived.
That Girl: The Role That Made Her Iconic
Breaking TV Norms
Before That Girl, women on TV were usually someone’s wife or mother. Then came Ann Marie — independent, stylish, chasing a career. That was Marlo’s baby. She helped create it. Which, by the way, I didn’t realize until I tried to copy her bangs once and fell into a YouTube spiral.
- First sitcom about a single career woman living alone
- Ran from 1966–1971
- Paved the way for The Mary Tyler Moore Show (which I thought came first, oops)
When people ask how old is Marlo Thomas, they really should also ask: how bold was Marlo Thomas for her time?
Her Famous Family Tree
The Daughter of Danny Thomas
If you’re wondering how old is Marlo Thomas, it’s worth looking at her roots too. Her father, Danny Thomas, was a comedy legend and humanitarian. Big shoes to fill. Like, clown-sized.
I used to think Danny Thomas was like a stage name for Frank Sinatra’s funnier cousin. Turns out he was real — and he founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which Marlo has championed for decades.
So when someone asks how old is Marlo Thomas, maybe respond with: “Old enough to carry a legacy and still run with it.”
Marlo’s Longtime Love Story
Her Marriage to Phil Donahue
You know that kinda couple that makes you believe in love even when your own dating life feels like a tragic sitcom?
That’s Marlo and Phil.
They married in 1980, and they’re still together — despite having very different views on kids. (She never wanted them. He had five. Classic sitcom setup, right?)
It’s sweet and rare. Like finding matching socks in the laundry on a Monday morning. And yes, you guessed it — how old is Marlo Thomas when she got married? Around 42. Late bloomer love FTW.
Phil Donahue and Marlo: The Power Duo
They even co-wrote a book called What Makes a Marriage Last. I read parts of it — or tried to. Got distracted because I spilled tea on it. The irony was not lost on me.
- 40+ years of marriage
- Different backgrounds, different beliefs
- Still deeply connected
People love to ask how old is Marlo Thomas like that’s the interesting part — but the how long has she loved part is even more impressive.
Not Just an Actress – An Advocate
Her Work with St. Jude
Let’s pause and get a bit real.
St. Jude’s isn’t just some celebrity charity gig for her. This is her life’s mission. She took her dad’s legacy and went all in. I’ve actually seen her speak at one of their fundraisers — and she’s electric. Not in the showbiz way. In the human way.
I remember watching her tell a story about a little boy at the hospital who wanted to be a pilot. She teared up. I teared up. Then I dropped my pretzel in my lap. (Again, classic me.)
So, how old is Marlo Thomas? Old enough to care deeply and work tirelessly. That should be the real headline.
Other Projects You Might Not Know About
She’s an Author, Too
Marlo’s written several books. One of them — Free to Be… You and Me — was basically a cultural revolution disguised as a children’s book.
I had a dusty copy in our basement as a kid. Thought it was just about cartoons. Turns out, it was about gender roles and kindness and self-expression. Deep stuff for a 7-year-old who still wore Velcro shoes.
So again, when you’re asking how old is Marlo Thomas, maybe also ask: how wise is Marlo Thomas?
Emmy, Golden Globe, Peabody – You Name It
She didn’t just do stuff — she got recognized for it.
Some highlights (not the hair kind, although hers is still fab):
- 4 Emmy Awards
- Golden Globe
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (ya know, casual)
- Peabody Award
How old is Marlo Thomas? Old enough to need a separate shelf for her trophies, probably.
Still Working, Still Glowing
Recent Appearances
Marlo isn’t slowing down — she’s popping up on talk shows, doing interviews, sometimes even guest starring on shows like Law & Order: SVU. (Side note: I thought she was a detective when I saw her on there. My bad.)
I watched one of her recent interviews and honestly? Still sharp. Still sassy. Still rocking that signature hair flip. Makes me wonder if I could age half as well if I stopped eating midnight nachos. (Spoiler: I won’t.)
So how old is Marlo Thomas? Doesn’t matter. She’s still going full throttle.
Her Voice in the Women’s Movement
She’s always been about giving people — especially girls — a voice. Free to Be wasn’t just a fluke. She’s always fought for equality, representation, and truth-telling.
Honestly, she’s the kind of person who could walk into a room, point to your messy life, and say, “Fix that,” and you’d listen.
Sometimes I wish I had a Marlo on my shoulder. Like a guardian angel with killer fashion sense.
A Few Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Marlo
- She has a degree in English from USC (fancy and smart)
- She once worked as a schoolteacher (can you imagine being in that class?)
- She’s got Lebanese-American roots
- She turned down marriage proposals in her 20s (I respect that energy)
- How old is Marlo Thomas? Old enough to say “no” without apology
What Makes Marlo Timeless?
Here’s what I think — it’s not her looks (though yes, she glows), or her voice (still melodic), or even her long list of awards. It’s her consistency.
Like, she shows up. She stands for something. And she means it.
I remember seeing an old rerun of That Girl as a teen and thinking, “Wait, she’s not married? She’s just… living?” That blew my mind. I thought you had to be attached to someone to be seen on TV. She rewired that.
So again, how old is Marlo Thomas? Old enough to have flipped societal expectations on their heads.
My Accidental Marlo Moment
Okay, random memory here: I once dressed up as “an independent woman from the ’60s” for a school project. Ended up looking like a confused hippie who wandered out of a hair salon. But the intention? Pure Marlo.
I even tried doing that That Girl twirl in heels. Sprained my ankle. Didn’t get the grade. But gained deep respect for her balance skills.
See? Learning.
Wrapping It All Up
Let’s circle back.
How old is Marlo Thomas? Technically, she’s in her late 80s. But honestly, that feels like the least interesting part of her story.
She’s:
- A TV pioneer
- A humanitarian powerhouse
- A fashion icon without trying
- A woman who aged on her own terms
Wrote this paragraph by hand. Then spilled coffee on it. Classic.
So next time someone googles how old is Marlo Thomas, maybe they should follow it up with: And why is she still so darn cool?
