Heather Thomas offers advice to Sydney Sweeney and shares why she left Hollywood

Heather Thomas advises Sydney Sweeney to be cautious with business people, while sharing her struggles in Hollywood.

Actress Heather Thomas, best known for her role in The Fall Guy (1981-1986), recently shared valuable advice for rising star Sydney Sweeney and opened up about her decision to leave Hollywood during a candid appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.

When asked if she would offer advice to Sweeney, who is experiencing a level of fame similar to what Thomas enjoyed at the height of her career, Thomas responded by stating that Sweeney, in her opinion, doesn’t need guidance. “I think she’s doing fantastic,” Thomas remarked, emphasizing that opportunities for women in Hollywood have changed dramatically since her time. She explained that unlike the past, where women were often relegated to playing the grandmother or the "nosy neighbor," there are now numerous compelling roles available for women of all ages.

However, Thomas did provide one key piece of advice: “Watch your business people,” she cautioned. Thomas, who is married to an entertainment lawyer, has witnessed firsthand how many celebrities have been taken advantage of by their managers and financial advisors. She shared that her husband has had to help many stars recover from financial disasters, often bringing them back from the brink of bankruptcy. “Be careful with your business people,” she advised, underscoring the importance of having trustworthy individuals handling one’s finances in the cutthroat world of entertainment.

 

 

 

 

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Beyond her advice for Sweeney, Thomas also opened up about her personal experience in Hollywood, including the dark side of fame that led her to leave the industry in the 1990s. While on The Fall Guy, Thomas became a target of multiple stalkers. She described the terrifying nature of these encounters, which escalated to the point where she was dealing with two stalkers a week. One frightening incident involved a man cutting through her bedroom screen to break into her home. Thomas was forced to defend herself, shooting the intruder with a firearm filled with rock salt.

Her experiences with stalking were not isolated; she also received threatening mail, including boxes of bullets and funeral wreaths. The danger reached a breaking point when a man jumped her gate with a large knife. Thomas revealed that she had to constantly have a bodyguard at home to ensure her safety, especially when she returned to her house at night. “I just needed to be home anyway,” she explained, noting that the stress of dealing with constant threats weighed heavily on her.

Despite the challenges, Thomas had not previously discussed her stalker experiences due to a fear of being labeled as "the lady that was stalked." Instead, she chose to focus on the more professional aspects of her career.

In addition to sharing her experiences with stalking, Thomas reflected on the sexualization she faced in Hollywood. She discussed how she was often objectified and how the industry’s demands on women’s appearances were particularly challenging. Nevertheless, she made it clear that she was comfortable with her body, as she had worked hard to maintain it.

Thomas also spoke candidly about her decision to pursue acting over her original interest in writing and directing. While studying at UCLA, Thomas was drawn to acting primarily due to the financial rewards it offered. Despite the harsh realities of the industry, she ultimately chose the path of "least resistance" for the paycheck, leaving behind her original aspirations.

Reflecting on her decision to leave Hollywood, Thomas admitted that the constant pressure, combined with the dangers she faced from stalkers, contributed to her choice to walk away from the limelight. Her experiences serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that many stars face behind the scenes, making her advice to Sweeney even more poignant.

Thomas’s decision to step back from Hollywood, while dealing with personal and professional pressures, ultimately shaped her perspective on fame and success. Now, with her candid insights, she offers a nuanced view of the entertainment industry that can serve as guidance to young stars like Sweeney, ensuring they are prepared for both the perks and the pitfalls that come with stardom.