Actress Marlo Thomas Says Mom Inspired Her Career Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close

Marlo Thomas Mother s Day Tribute

Actress says her mom inspired her career and her feminism

Marlo Thomas with her mother, Rose Marie Courtesy Marlo Thomas . When your parents are gone, says Thomas, Mother's Day or Father's Day can be sad. "What I'd give to spend the day with my mom and dad again, even for just a couple hours," she says. "I miss them both dearly." Q. Your relationship with your dad was well-known but clearly you were close to your mother. Who was the bigger influence on the woman you became? Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. A. Because I wanted to be in the same business as my father, he was the more powerful influence. I learned my work ethic from him, how to stand up for myself in business dealings and, of course, my sense of humor. He was the one I focused on and wanted to be like throughout my childhood. But what I got from my mother (and this is something that's become more apparent to me as I've gotten older) was a complete devotion and unconditional love and, yes, sacrifice, that helped me to become who I am. Q. You talk about the singing career your mother gave up to give her family all of her. You say, "We would have been OK with half." Did that inspire your early and committed feminism? A. Yes, very much so. When I look back at those pictures of my mother performing — and — 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. So, yes, during the , the fact that my mother had given up so much played in the back of my head all the time; and I fought and lobbied and marched, in many ways, for her. And to help women everywhere know that, if it was their choice, they could have families and live their dreams.
Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > Q. You are a stepmom to husband Phil Donahue's children. What lessons from your mom's approach to parenting have you used in your role with your stepkids? A. From the very first day, I decided that I was not going to try to be a "mother" to Phil's children in the traditional sense — they already had a mom — but, instead, to be their friend. 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. So I used that model with Phil's kids, and I'm proud to say that the friendships I established with them are as strong today as they were 30 years ago — even stronger. Marlo Thomas' book, Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny, is available in paperback. It's both a story about her family and interviews with contemporary comedians such as Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld and Tina Fey. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS