Jay Thomas Meets His Mystery Son

33 votes
I Like It I Don't Like It
J.T. was adopted. He grew up in Michigan with loving parents and later moved to Hollywood with rock star dreams -- but he found something totally unexpected: The dad he never knew!

"I'm sure I fantasized that my dad was Burt Reynolds or Tom Hanks or somebody," he tells "The Insider." "But I never had any idea my real father was a world-wide celebrity."

"I was always curious where I came from," he continues. "I saw a commercial on television about an adoption service. I called them …and gave them the information and she said, 'Your biological father is not like the rest of us.'"

It turns out that J.T.'s dad is none other than Emmy-winning actor Jay Thomas, famous for roles in such TV favorites as "Murphy Brown," "Cheers" and "Mork & Mindy." Thomas had put J.T. up for adoption more than two decades ago when he wasn't quite ready for the responsibility of fatherhood. Now, reunited, their resemblance is undeniable -- and it's just an incredible coincidence that their initials are both J.T.

Jay's wife Sally recalls, "When Jay went and met him, he said, 'I know he's mine. I don't have to have a DNA test. That's my child.'"

"It was strange for us at first," recalls J.T., "but I was honest with him and I said, 'I don't need any money and I have a great life, but it's exciting to meet you,' and we just kind of hit it off."

"You look like I did 27 years ago," Jay tells J.T. "And you're gonna look like [me] one day."

"Balding?" responds J.T.

Now, father and son are making up for lost time. J.T. has become part of Jay's family, along with two sons from his current marriage, and Jay even spoke at the funeral of J.T.'s adoptive father when he passed away.

These days, J.T. is the frontman for the band JTX, featuring the single "(I'm Gonna) Party Like a Rock Star," and dad Jay is appearing on "Boston Legal" and starring in the upcoming Lindsay Lohan movie 'Labor Pains,' alongside his Sirius Satellite Radio program "The Jay Thomas Show."

Watch "The Insider" for more with Jay and J.T.!

Published 9/16/08 by the Insider

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Comments (16)

  • love this story i was adopted but never found my folks...god song as well. wow
    anonymous anonymous 9/16/08 Reply
     
  • I was adopted as well. Turns out I'm somehow related to Joey Heatherton, but I haven't been able to find much information on her.
    anonymous 5 Malinna 9/16/08   Message Add to Friends Reply
     
  • what a warm story, I think many couples would like do same things on ridermate.com
    anonymous anonymous 9/16/08 Reply
     
  • i looked up the band JTX very good...kind of a wierd coincidence Jay was the best on CHEERS!
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • looked up JTX online suprisingly good! Jay was the best on CHEERS!
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • JTX RULES! IM GONNA PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR ABOUT TIME THAT SONG GETS SOME TV TIME! INSIDER HAD IT FIRST YO!
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • JTX RULES! IM GONNA PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR ABOUT TIME THAT SONG GETS SOME TV TIME! INSIDER HAD IT FIRST YO!
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • MY PARENTS WERE ADOPTED, folks!!
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • What a coincidence! I love this band..I've seen them a couple of times. They are amazing. I heard they went to Afghanistn for the troops.
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • I had a son that I placed for adoption. Turns out he was adopted by famous people. He contacted me, and we are trying to get to know each other. Trust me, I wish I had known what kind of people were going to raise him. I never would have let him go if I knew how screwed up he would be because of the huge wealth and "fame".

    I'm glad that Jay and his son have found each other. I hope all the best for them.
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • what a story...did his dad help him get his music going?
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • i have never met my dad my mom knows him but hes much older and not sure if its a good idea ...tina
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • JT I'm so happy for you bro... imma send you a msg on myspace...
    anonymous anonymous 9/17/08 Reply
     
  • DUDE!! I'm so happy you found your dad... lol big surprise when you found out who he was aye? I was adopted too... unfortunately my father is a child molester and rapest and my mother was 13 when she had me... I'm happy for you bro...
    anonymous anonymous 9/18/08 Reply
     
  • I WAS ADOPTED MY DAD IN PRISON, GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT THIS IS A GOOD STORY...KRYSTAL MICHIGAN
    anonymous anonymous 9/18/08 Reply
     
  • HAHAHAH JUST GOT PAID LUV THAT....ERICKA FLA!
    anonymous anonymous 9/18/08 Reply
     
 
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