Hollywood manager of the stars, Dannielle Thomas is an FHS graduate, class of 1981. She will be jetting into Friendswood soon to accept the award of being named one of six 2010 Distinguished Alumni award.
            The award will be presented at the Luv Ya Blue Gala at the Hotel ZaZa February 13, 2010. Sponsored by the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation, the gala is celebrating 10 years of the Foundation, impacting thousands of students in FISD.

           While a student at FHS, Thomas was involved in many activities, including drama, athletics, student offices, journalism and musical productions. She served as the music and movie critic for the school newspaper, a job that she also filled at University of North Texas.
            At UNT, she worked as a news announcer at the university radio station and the tv station. She did summer internships with Columbia Pictures in Dallas. At UNT, she was involved in intramural sports as well as journalism and newspaper organizations.
            After receiving her degree, Thomas headed to Los Angeles, where she was mentored by Lou Pitts, the famous Hollywood agent. As his assistant for two years, she had the opportunity work with such clients as Burt Lancaster, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Garner and Raquel Welch, among others and became friends with Billy Wilder, the legendary director.           
            Eventually, Thomas started her own company and  daringly entered the entertainment business world. After a number of years she merged with Untitled Entertainment and is now working harder than ever. She personally represents and manages the careers of a number of Hollywood and Broadway stars and directors. Among these are Kristen Chenoweth, Jennifer Love Hewit, Megan Mullally (pictured with Danielle at the right), Matthew  Modine, and Bette Midler.
            Thomas is well respected in the entertainment industry but what sets her apart from other top managers is her genuine interest in not only the business side of her profession but in the art itself.  A fierce negotiator, Thomas expects nothing but the absolute best of all the people with whom she works. She always wants what is best for her client and consistently takes the long view in business decisions. A great trait she learned from her grandmother.
            Fairness is a character trait Thomas will represent as a Distinguished Alumni. She will be on a poster that will go in every classroom in Kindergarten through twelfth grades.  Character Education is an important part of the curriculum at FISD.
            Her client Kristen Chenoweth has said of Thomas, “She never stops for a moment and she knows her stuff.” In her book A Little Bit Wicked, Chenoweth mentions Thomas as her “fireball.”
            Thomas is a Board Member of Women in Film, participates in the Human Rights Campaign and Equity California, the Screen Actors Guild, and Animal Rescue Groups. She is very active in politics in California also.
            Her clients work in film, tv, radio, concerts, Broadway productions and commercials. They have won Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tonys.
            Perhaps the most admirable trait is that she never fails to give credit where credit is due. She maintains that her success is due largely to her education in Friendswood  and that teachers such as Renae Simons, Mary Rinehart, Pepper Smith and Myrlene Kennedy were always available to give her excellent advice and encouragement.
            Hats off to a successful career!