50 Facts About Lea Thompson

Early Life and Ballet Career

Lea Thompson's journey to stardom began with her passion for ballet. Her early years were marked by dedication and hard work.

1. Lea Katherine Thompson was born on May 31, 1961, in Rochester, Minnesota.
2. Youngest of Five: She is the youngest of five children to Barbara and Cliff Thompson.
3. Professional Ballet Dancer: Lea began her career as a professional ballet dancer at the age of 14.
4. Scholarships: She won scholarships to both the American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet.
5. Challenges in Ballet: Despite her success, Mikhail Baryshnikov told her she was "a beautiful dancer but too stocky," leading her to pursue acting.

Transition to Acting

Lea's shift from ballet to acting opened new doors and set her on a path to Hollywood.

6. Move to New York: At 20, Lea moved to New York to pursue acting.
7. First Film Role: Her first film role was in "Jaws 3-D" (1983), where she played a water ski bunny despite not knowing how to swim or ski.
8. Meeting Dennis Quaid: During the filming of "Jaws 3-D," she met Dennis Quaid, who became her fiancé and acting coach.

Breakthrough and Teen Movies

Lea's early acting roles in the 1980s helped establish her as a rising star.

9. Breakthrough Role: Her breakthrough role came in 1983 with "All the Right Moves," opposite Tom Cruise.
10. Teen Movies: Between 1983 and 1984, Lea appeared in several teen movies, including "Red Dawn" (1984) and "The Wild Life" (1984).

Back to the Future

Lea's role in "Back to the Future" catapulted her to fame and remains one of her most iconic performances.

11. Biggest Accomplishment: Her role in "Back to the Future" (1985) was the biggest hit of 1985.
12. Most Wanted Actress: This role made her the most wanted actress at the time.

Diverse Filmography

Lea's career spans a wide range of films, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

13. Howard the Duck: Despite the critical failure of "Howard the Duck" (1986), Lea chose to star in it, showcasing her versatility.
14. Some Kind of Wonderful: She won the Young Artist Award for best young actress for her role in "Some Kind of Wonderful" (1987).
15. The Wizard of Loneliness: Her first movie as a woman rather than a youngster was "The Wizard of Loneliness" (1988).
16. More than 30 Films: Lea has starred in more than 30 films, including "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar," and "Ping Pong Summer" (2014).

Television Career

Lea's success extends beyond film, with significant roles in television series and movies.

17. Caroline in the City: She won TV Guide and People's Choice Awards for her role in "Caroline in the City."
18. Switched at Birth: She acts and directs in the series "Switched at Birth."
19. Television Movies: Lea has starred in over 25 television movies, including the Jane Doe films, which she also directed.
20. Hallmark Channel Series: She has starred in nine films for the Hallmark Channel Mystery Film series, JANE DOE, and directed two of the films.
21. Lifetime Series: Lea has appeared in several Lifetime series, including "INTIMATE PORTRAITS" and "FOR THE PEOPLE."

Broadway and Dancing

Lea's background in ballet and her Broadway performances add another layer to her diverse career.

22. Broadway Career: Lea has starred on Broadway in "Cabaret."
23. Performed in Over 20 Ballets: Her ballet background includes performances in over 20 ballets.
24. Dancing with the Stars: In 2005, she partnered with Artem Chigvintsev on the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars, placing sixth.

Personal Life and Family

Lea's personal life is filled with love, family, and a menagerie of pets.

25. Lives in Los Angeles: Lea lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Howard Deutch, and their two daughters, Madelyn and Zoey Deutch.
26. Menagerie of Pets: They have dogs, fish, horses, chickens, a cat, tortoise, and parrot.
27. Family Affair in Film: Her feature debut as a director, "The Year of Spectacular Men" (2017), is a family affair, co-directed with her daughter Madelyn Deutch and starring Zoey Deutch.

Philanthropy and Writing

Lea's contributions extend beyond acting, with significant philanthropic efforts and a budding writing career.

28. Philanthropy: She supports and often performs for breast cancer, mental health, and Alzheimer's charities.
29. Writing Career: Lea is currently writing her first book of essays.

Directorial Experience

Lea's transition to directing has been marked by both challenges and triumphs.

30. Directorial Debut: Her feature debut as a director was "The Year of Spectacular Men" (2017).
31. Collaboration with Daughters: The film was a collaboration between Lea and her daughters, with Zoey starring in it and helping to produce it.
32. Challenges in Filmmaking: The biggest challenge in making "The Year of Spectacular Men" was managing the locations and shooting in different times of the year.

Career Milestones and Legacy

Lea's career is filled with milestones that have left a lasting impact on Hollywood.

33. Career Milestones: Lea has starred in numerous films and television shows, including "Back to the Future," "Some Kind of Wonderful," "The Beverly Hillbillies," and "Switched at Birth."
34. Awards and Nominations: Lea has won five awards and received six nominations throughout her career.
35. Impact on Audiences: Lea's performances have touched audiences worldwide. Her role in "Back to the Future" remains one of the most iconic roles in cinema history.
36. Collaborations with Directors: Lea has collaborated with several notable directors, including Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis for "Back to the Future," and Howard Deutch for "Some Kind of Wonderful."

Diverse Roles and Television Series

Lea's ability to adapt to various roles and genres has been a hallmark of her acting career.

37. Diverse Roles: From playing a water ski bunny in "Jaws 3-D" to a teenage guerrilla fighter in "Red Dawn," Lea has played a wide range of roles.
38. Television Series: Apart from her film career, Lea has also had a successful television career, starring in the NBC series "Caroline in the City" and the ABC Family series "Switched at Birth."

Personal Growth and Family Legacy

Lea's journey is marked by resilience, personal growth, and a strong family legacy.

39. Personal Growth: Throughout her career, Lea has faced numerous challenges, from initial setbacks in ballet to the pressures of Hollywood.
40. Family Legacy: Lea’s daughters, Madelyn and Zoey Deutch, have followed in her footsteps, with Madelyn writing the script for "The Year of Spectacular Men" and Zoey starring in it.

Philanthropic Impact and Current Projects

Lea's philanthropic work and current projects continue to inspire and make a difference.

41. Philanthropic Impact: Beyond her acting career, Lea's philanthropic work has made a significant impact, supporting various charitable causes.
42. Current Projects: Lea is writing her first book of essays, showcasing her continued creativity and willingness to explore new avenues in her career.

Enduring Career

Lea Thompson's career is a testament to her enduring talent and dedication.

43. Enduring Career: With over four decades in the entertainment industry, Lea's career is a testament to her enduring talent and dedication.
44. Legacy in Hollywood: Lea Thompson's legacy in Hollywood is one of versatility and determination.
45. Broadway and Dancing: Her background in ballet and Broadway performances add another layer to her diverse career.
46. Family Support: The film received moral support from Lea's husband, Howard Deutch.
47. Career Blessings: Lea feels honored that her daughters are willing to walk in her footsteps.
48. International Recognition: Lea's career has been a huge blessing, touching people as far away as Japan.
49. Character Development: Lea praised her daughter Maddie's character, Izzy, for being a very rounded character.
50. Comedic Elements: The film has a good sense of humor, which is unsurprising given that humor is how Lea's family gets through things.

Lea Thompson's Lasting Impact

Lea Thompson's career is a testament to her versatility and resilience. From her early days as a ballet dancer to becoming a beloved actress and director, she's done it all. Her roles in iconic films like Back to the Future and Some Kind of Wonderful have left a lasting mark on pop culture. Beyond acting, she's directed TV movies and series, showcasing her talent behind the camera. Her philanthropic efforts for breast cancer, mental health, and Alzheimer's charities highlight her commitment to making a difference. Living in Los Angeles with her family, including daughters Madelyn and Zoey Deutch, Lea continues to inspire. Whether it's through her acting, directing, or charitable work, Lea Thompson remains a significant figure in the entertainment industry. Her journey proves that with passion and determination, you can achieve great things.