Jay Thomas

Infobox actor


birthdate = birth date and age|1948|7|12
birthplace = Kermit, Texas

Jay Thomas (born July 12, 1948) is an American actor and disc jockey.

Biography

Early life

Thomas was born Jon Thomas Terrell in Kermit, Texas, the son of Katharine "Kathy" (née Guzzino) and T. Harry Terrell, Sr. [ [http://www.filmreference.com/film/3/Jay-Thomas.html Jay Thomas Biography (1948-) ] ] He was raised in New Orleans, where he attended Jesuit High School, New Orleans. He and his wife Sally live in Southern California and are parents to two sons.

Career

;TelevisionThomas is perhaps best known for his recurring roles. The first on the sitcom "Mork and Mindy", on which he played Remo DaVinci, the Italian deli-owner, from 1979 until 1981. He then played the hockey-player-turned-travelling-ice show-skater second husband, Eddie LeBec, of Carla on "Cheers" (1987-1989). He also appeared on "Murphy Brown" as a tabloid talk show host, Jerry Gold, who was also one of Murphy's love interests (1989-1998). Thomas won Emmy Awards in 1990 and 1991 for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series" for his portrayal of Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown.

Thomas also starred in the short-lived 1990 show "Married People". Thomas played Russell Myers, a writer who worked at home who was married to a high powered lawyer (played by Bess Armstrong). When his wife had a baby, Thomas' character became a househusband.

He later starred in the 1992-1995 sitcom "Love & War" (with Susan Dey then Annie Potts) and in the short-lived 1996 Ted Danson-Mary Steenburgen sitcom "Ink". He also had the bad luck to host "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?," a controversial one-night special on Fox in February 2000 that featured Darva Conger and Rick Rockwell.

Thomas has also knocked the holiday meatball off of the Christmas Tree for "The Late Show with David Letterman" almost every year since 1998. (Dave knocked it off in 2004 and 2006.) Each year he also tells his "Lone Ranger Story" which involves he and his friend having to give Clayton Moore a ride home from a radio station promotion at a car dealership while high on marijuana.

;FilmHis many roles include playing the football coach friend of the lead character in "Mr. Holland's Opus" (1995) and Hal in the Kevin Costner-film "Dragonfly" (2002). He also appeared as the Easter Bunny in Disney's "The Santa Clause 2" and "The Santa Clause 3".

;RadioThomas began his career as a disc jockey in the late 1960s while attending Gulf Coast Junior College in Panama City, Florida, working part-time at several local Panama City stations. His stated goal at that time was to be a stand-up comic. He later worked the 7-midnight shift at WBSR in Pensacola, Florida, a station which was a stepping stone for a number of radio personalities who went on to bigger and better things. He hit the big time at WAPE ("The Big Ape") in Jacksonville, Florida and then moved on to Charlotte, North Carolina where he was the morning drive DJ at BIG WAYS-AM and WROQ-FM in the 1970s and 1980s. Thomas then worked as a radio DJ in New York City and resided in Connecticut with his wife, Sally and their 3 sons. Jay was probably best remembered for being the Morning Host on 92.3 WKTU. He would be replaced by Howard Stern when WKTU switched to KROCK. This would become the launching pad for Stern's syndicated network. There are apparently no hard feelings between the two and Thomas has since made several appearances on Howard Stern's show.

After WKTU flipped formats Thomas was hired by then new Rhythmic Top 40 upstart KPWR/Los Angeles in 1986 as their new morning host, which is where he would enjoy a successful run. In 1992 Thomas left KPWR due to the changes in station management and a musical shift towards Hip-Hop, which would have felt out of place for Thomas.

He currently hosts The Jay Thomas Show [ [http://www.jaythomasshow.com The Jay Thomas Show - Home ] ] M-F 3pm - 6pm on SIRIUS Stars 102, a channel on the SIRIUS Satellite Radio service. Jay has numerous co-hosts on his show including Madison [ [http://www.myspace.com/siriusmad Madison ] ] , Rodney Lee Conover [ [http://www.bachelorman.com/ Rodney Lee Conover ] ] and Shuli [ [http://www.jewgonewild.com/ Shuli ] ] . Jay is now a Chip and Pepper expert. On March 5, 2008 Howard Stern announced that Jay would be doing a live morning show on Howard 101 from 7 AM to 10 AM on Friday mornings. He resides in Santa Barbara with his family. He owns homes in New Orleans, one of which was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina.Jay is well remembered for his stint at 99X, well before 92.3 KTU. His slogan when he ran for office in Charlotte, NC was 'the best politician money can buy.'

;ProfessionalThomas used to invest in retail food chain stores, including Blimpie. He would buy real estate when he would get a big pay day during his acting career. His latest venture is a US$3.5 million property on Cresta Avenue.Fact|date=April 2008

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0858988|name=Jay Thomas
* [http://www.sportshollywood.com/askjaythomas.html Ten Questions with Jay Thomas]
* [http://www.tv.com/jay-thomas/person/4989/summary.html TV.com entry]
* [http://www.jaythomas.com The Jay Thomas Show]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jaythomasfans Jay Thomas Fans MySpace Profile]
* [http://www.jaythomasfans.net JayThomasFans.net Forum]
* [http://www.hofmag.com/content/category/5/53/29/ Jay Thomas at HallOfFameMagazine.com]