Richard Thomas (actor)

Disambiguation: for other people of the same name, see Richard Thomas.

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Richard Thomas (born June 13, 1951) is an American actor.

Related Topics:
June 13 - 1951 - American - Actor

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He was born Richard Earl Thomas in New York City, New York, the son of Richard Thomas (born ca. 1925) and Barbara Fallis. His parents were both dancers with the New York City Ballet and were owners of the New York School of Ballet.

Related Topics:
New York City - New York - 1925

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Thomas was seven when he made his Broadway debut in Sunrise at Campobello (1958) playing John Roosevelt, son of FDR.

Related Topics:
Broadway - 1958 - FDR

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He soon began his television career. In 1959, he appeared in the TV presentation of Ibsen's A Doll's House with Julie Harris, Christopher Plummer and Hume Cronyn. He then began acting in daytime TV, appearing in soap operas such as The Edge of Night and As the World Turns, which were broadcast from his native Manhattan.

Related Topics:
Television - Career - 1959 - Ibsen - A Doll's House - Julie Harris - Christopher Plummer - Hume Cronyn - Soap opera - The Edge of Night - As the World Turns - Broadcast - Manhattan

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Thomas received his first major roles in film, appearing in the 1969 motion pictures Winning with Paul Newman, about auto racing, and Last Summer with Barbara Hershey, a summer romance movie.

Related Topics:
Film - 1969 - Winning - Paul Newman - Last Summer - Barbara Hershey - Romance

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He became nationally recognized for his portrayal of John-Boy in the 1970s TV series The Waltons, which was based on the real-life of writer Earl Hamner Jr. Thomas won an Emmy for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series in 1972.

Related Topics:
1970s - The Waltons - Writer - Earl Hamner Jr. - Emmy - 1972

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Thomas has had two wives, Alma Gonzales (married 1975-divorced 1993) and Georgiana Bischoff (married 1994-present). He and Alma had one son and triplet daughters; and he and Georgiana have one son.

Related Topics:
1975 - 1993 - 1994

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In 1980, Thomas made his first Broadway appearance in over twelve years when he stepped in as a replacement in Fifth of July. In 1993, he played the title role in a Shakespeare Theatre production of Richard II.

Related Topics:
1980 - 1993 - Shakespeare - Theatre

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He has also served as national chairman of the Better Hearing Institute and as host of the PAX TV series It's A Miracle.

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Filmography

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