Marlo Thomas Quotes

Powerful Marlo Thomas for Daily Growth

About Marlo Thomas

Marlo Thomas, born on November 21, 1938, is an acclaimed American actress, producer, and social activist whose career spans over six decades. Born in Detroit, Michigan, to Russian-Jewish parents, she was introduced to the world of entertainment at a young age, performing in school plays and talent shows. Thomas made her television debut on the hit series 'Father Knows Best' in 1954. However, it was her portrayal of Ann Marie in the sitcom 'That Girl' (1966-1971) that catapulted her to stardom. The show broke new ground by featuring a single, working woman as the protagonist, and was instrumental in shaping Thomas's public image as a strong, independent woman. In addition to her acting career, Thomas is also renowned for her philanthropic work. In 1981, she founded the Free to Be... Foundation to promote gender equality and combat social issues affecting children. Her most notable project, 'Free to Be... You and Me', a groundbreaking educational album and television special, was released in 1972 and addressed topics like sex roles, prejudice, and self-esteem. Thomas has also authored several books, including 'Rituals of Women: The Way We Love' (1983) and 'Tales from 'That Girl': A Memoir' (2014), which offer insights into her personal life and career. In 2014, she published 'What Makes a Man? A Child's Book on Gender Equality', a children's book advocating for gender equality. Thomas continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry and beyond, using her platform to advocate for social change and inspire future generations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Marlo Thomas's quote encourages individuals to take risks, even when facing potential failure or rejection, as these experiences are integral parts of life and growth. It's a reminder that fear should not prevent us from pursuing our dreams and passions, as the rewards can be significant. Instead, we should seize opportunities and strive to make our mark in whatever "game" we choose to play, whether that be personal or professional endeavors.


"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you."

Marlo Thomas suggests that true bravery comes from experiencing adversity or challenging situations, as overcoming hardships requires courage and resilience. If one has only known success or ease throughout their life, they may not have the opportunity to develop these qualities, thus limiting their ability to demonstrate genuine bravery when faced with difficult circumstances.


"Always remember, your kitchen floor is just a linoleum away from your yoga mat."

Marlo Thomas' quote suggests that even in the midst of daily chores and responsibilities (represented by the kitchen floor), one should always remember to find time for self-care and personal growth, symbolized here as yoga on a yoga mat. It's a reminder to maintain balance between our busy lives and taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.


"If I have learned anything in life, it is this: Do not wait for the perfect moment. Take the moments as they come."

Marlo Thomas' quote emphasizes that we should seize opportunities when they present themselves, rather than waiting for a supposedly ideal or perfect moment to act. Life doesn't always provide us with perfect circumstances, but it offers us moments, and it is up to us to make the most of them. This perspective encourages proactivity, adaptability, and making meaningful progress in life by taking action when opportunities arise instead of waiting idly for an elusive 'perfect moment'.


"Free yourself of the need to please and watch your life take off like a rocket!"

This quote by Marlo Thomas encourages personal freedom from the pressure of seeking approval or pleasing others. By letting go of this need, individuals are empowered to live authentically and pursue their passions more boldly, allowing them to fulfill their true potential, much like a rocket taking off into space.


Our many different cultures notwithstanding, there's something about the holidays that makes the planet communal. Even nations that do not celebrate Christmas can't help but be caught up in the collective spirit of their neighbors, as twinkling lights dot the landscape and carols fill the air. It's an inspiring time of the year.

- Marlo Thomas

Year, Caught, About, Dot

I don't think homosexuality is a choice. Society forces you to think it's a choice, but in fact, it's in one's nature. The choice is whether one expresses one's nature truthfully or spends the rest of one's life lying about it.

- Marlo Thomas

Rest, Think, Homosexuality, Expresses

For me, it's the unexpected and surprising combinations of produce that are the most exciting and lure me into the kitchen for a little bit of experimenting. Apples and sweet potatoes together? Who knew? Carrots with grapes? Okay. I may not be Julia Child, but I can do pretty well with a simple recipe and a lot of enthusiasm.

- Marlo Thomas

Unexpected, Potatoes, Recipe, I May Not

When I was growing up, my mother was always a friend to my siblings and me (in addition to being all the other things a mom is), and I was always grateful for that because I knew she was someone I could talk to and joke with, and argue with and that nothing would ever harm that friendship.

- Marlo Thomas

Friendship, Other, Harm, Joke

I find that balancing my life with my work with the kids at St. Jude, working on books, working on my career as an actor and taking time out for my husband and family help to cushion a lot of the blows.

- Marlo Thomas

Work, My Life, Career, Taking Time

Fame lost its appeal for me when I went into a public restroom and an autograph seeker handed me a pen and paper under the stall door.

- Marlo Thomas

Door, Appeal, Stall, Autograph

In that I found being able to talk to my family about my feelings, praying for strength and realizing that our lives have a deep purpose and the journey of our lives is to find out what that is and express it, was the only way I could have gotten through it.

- Marlo Thomas

Strength, Deep, Through, Realizing

As much success came to him, my father stayed true to his promise. He built the hospital to help the most helpless children with catastrophic illnesses.

- Marlo Thomas

Father, Built, Illnesses, Helpless

My father said there were two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.

- Marlo Thomas

Wisdom, Father, May, Takers

I've always been a champion of kids pursuing their dreams. But sometimes in life, extraordinary circumstances may force us to temporarily put our dreams on hold. The most important thing is to never lose sight of that dream, no matter what punches life may throw in our way.

- Marlo Thomas

Been, Punches, Pursuing, Temporarily

It's fascinating for us women to begin looking at our lives in five-year plans. It really does help you keep on track. If that's too hard, start with a two-year plan.

- Marlo Thomas

Start, Fascinating, Lives, Two-Year

I think loss of loved ones is the hardest blow in life.

- Marlo Thomas

Sympathy, Loss, Think, Blow

Losing my parents was probably the hardest and deepest blow from which I've had to recover.

- Marlo Thomas

Deepest, Which, Recover, Blow

One of the many reasons I love living in New York is that we get a front row seat to the innumerable thrills that take place here - from conventions and awards shows, to parades and U.N. assemblies. But my favorite New York tradition is the annual New Year's Eve ball-drop on Times Square.

- Marlo Thomas

Love, Here, Reasons, Conventions

The rejection that we all take and the sadness and the aggravation and the loss of jobs and all of the things that we live through in our lives, without a sense of humor, I don't know how people make it.

- Marlo Thomas

Sense Of Humor, Through, Aggravation

My mother was a strong-willed and opinionated woman - a Sicilian! - and if she didn't like something, she'd let you know about it. So her undying support of her kids went a long way in proving to us that we were on the right path.

- Marlo Thomas

Woman, About, Proving, Sicilian

I think in my case, I had no choice but to have a good sense of humor. I grew up with my dad, Danny Thomas, and George Burns and Bob Hope and Milton Berle and Sid Caesar and all those guys were at our house all the time and telling jokes and making each other laugh.

- Marlo Thomas

Other, I Think, Telling, None

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving for me is re-watching some of the classic holiday blunders that have been depicted on television. I remember laughing uncontrollably on the set of 'That Girl' back in 1967 when we shot the episode, 'Thanksgiving Comes But Once A Year, Hopefully' during our second season.

- Marlo Thomas

I Remember, Some, Been, Season

Living with these teenage boys allowed me to see how much their psyches were like their girl counterparts. They were more familiar to me than I would have thought.

- Marlo Thomas

Thought, Living, Like, Counterparts

Despite our ever-connective technology, neither Skype nor Facebook - not even a telephone call - can come close to the joy of being with loved ones in person.

- Marlo Thomas

Facebook, Come, Loved Ones, Skype

There are those who think that the private lives of candidates are none of our business. But when those candidates ask us for our attention as they explain their plans for how they will represent us, no one should be surprised at our interest in how they represent themselves.

- Marlo Thomas

Explain, Private, None, Represent

I know George Burns was a very happy man.

- Marlo Thomas

Happy, Very, Happy Man, None

I was an educated girl. I'd done very well in school. I had a good point average and graduated from USC as an English teacher. My dad didn't even finish high school.

- Marlo Thomas

Average, Very, USC, Graduated

People really want to do something good. You just have to show them where it is.

- Marlo Thomas

Want, Show, Them, Something Good

In my work, there's a tremendous amount of rejection and waves of fertile and fallow times.

- Marlo Thomas

Waves, Fertile, Amount, Tremendous Amount

So I still seized the power, but I felt that if I officially made myself the boss, in black and white, it would be too intimidating for the other producers and the other men who worked on the show. In other words, I had the power, but I gave them the title.

- Marlo Thomas

Boss, Other, Show, Intimidating

We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all of our lives; we carry these words in our head.

- Marlo Thomas

Think, Loud, Louder, Actions Speak

In the 1960s we were fighting to be recognized as equals in the marketplace, in marriage, in education and on the playing field. It was a very exciting, rebellious time.

- Marlo Thomas

Education, Equality, Very, Playing Field

It's because it was at a time when women didn't have any power. It was so unusual for a young woman in her 20s to have power that I seized the power but tried not to flaunt it.

- Marlo Thomas

Woman, Young, Young Woman, Unusual

When I look back at those pictures of my mother performing - and listen to her recordings - it makes me sad to think that all of that joy she found in her work came to an end. I wish she hadn't had to make that sacrifice, even if it was for the benefit of my father and siblings and me.

- Marlo Thomas

Father, Back, Had, Recordings

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