AARP Hearing Center
To many, Marlo Thomas, 85, will always be That Girl. She shined as the effervescent lead of the 1960s show, playing an aspiring actress who moves to New York City to chase her dreams. The Emmy, Peabody, Golden Globe and Grammy award-winning actress, author and activist has been married to talk show legend Phil Donahue for 43 years. Together, they interview other well-known couples and discuss relationship ups and downs on their podcast, Double Date. The pair love to entertain, and in her latest business endeavor, Thomas collaborated with Williams Sonoma on a line of tableware and accessories, the Marlo Thomas Collection.
How often do you entertain?
After the pandemic, I started slowly back to entertaining, and now I have small dinners of eight to 10 people, maybe twice a week. I love to use every piece of my tabletop collection when I entertain.
What’s your number 1 tip for entertaining?
The desire to make your friends feel welcome and happy they came.
Thomas raises a glass to make a toast at a dinner party.
Jan Erting
Tell us about the best party you ever hosted.
For the millennial [year 2000], Phil and I gave an extravaganza in a tent in our backyard in Connecticut. It was such fun. We invited everyone we loved — family and friends from all over the country. I hired a magician who mingled with our guests during cocktails and lifted all of their wallets and watches. It was hilarious when at dinner he stood up and showed all he had taken. No one could believe it. We had a band, a comedian and topped it off with fireworks. We really rang in the new century. As a hostess, it was my finest hour.
What was the best party you ever attended?
My mother’s dinner parties. She really knew how to entertain. She presented meals so beautifully on the plate. She used to say, “The eyes eat before the stomach.” And it’s true. If something looks pretty and inviting, you can’t wait to dig in. She had a way of making each person feel that they were the one she really wanted to be there. She had a gift.
You and Phil have been married for 43 years. What makes a marriage last?
I call it the three L’s: love, laughter and lust.
