Thomas in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Margaret Julia Thomas
Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: November 21, 1937
Ethnicity:
*Lebanese (father)
*Italian/Sicilian (mother)
Marlo Thomas is an American actress, producer, and social activist. She is known for starring in the sitcom That Girl.
Marlo is the daughter of Rose Marie (Cassaniti) and nightclub comedian, singer, actor, producer, and philanthropist Danny Thomas (born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz). Her brother, Tony Thomas, is a producer. She is married to talk show host, writer, and film producer Phil Donahue.
Marlo has written:
My mother was Italian (Sicilian) and, of course, she was a fabulous cook. So my weakness for “la bella vita” cuisine is in my DNA.
Marlo’s paternal grandparents were Maronite Catholic emigrants from Lebanon.
Marlo’s paternal grandfather was named Charles Paul Jacobs (born Shaheeb Yakhoob/Kairouz, the son of Paul Yakhoob/Jacobs and Christana). Charles was from Becheri/Bsharri or Balbak/Baalbek.
Marlo’s paternal grandmother was named Margaret Christen/Christine Taouk/Touck/Simon.
Marlo’s maternal grandfather was named Samuel “Sam” Cassanti. Samuel was Italian.
Marlo’s maternal grandmother was named Mary/Marie Restivo. Mary was born in Maryland, to Italian parents.
Sources: Genealogy of Marlo Thomas (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.geni.com
Obituaries of Marlo’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com
Information about Marlo’s father – http://www.filmreference.com
Marlo’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
ncG1vNJzZmidpJ27qq%2FEpZybq16YvK57zJqppaddqbWwucCs