The Life of Sitcom Star Marlo Thomas

Her insistence on keeping Ann Marie independent contributed to a reputation in some industry circles that she was “difficult.” In practice, that often meant she challenged executives and producers when she believed the show was being pushed toward old expectations.

The same quality that created friction later became part of her feminist legacy. She was defending a female character whose life did not need to end in marriage to feel complete. That position would become even more important as the series moved closer to its ending.