Jay Thomas: The Irreverent Voice of Radio and Television

Jay Thomas was a broadcaster who never fit into neat categories. He was at once a sharp-witted radio DJ, a beloved sitcom actor, and a raconteur who could spin a story with the kind of comic timing that kept listeners and viewers glued. Born Jon Thomas Terrell in Kermit, Texas, in 1948, Thomas built a career on breaking rules, pushing boundaries, and delivering entertainment that was both heartfelt and hilarious.

From the Turntable to the Spotlight

Thomas first made his mark in the 1970s as a radio DJ, where his quick wit and irreverent humor became trademarks. Working in Charlotte, Los Angeles, and New York, he developed a reputation as a broadcaster who could mix pop culture, sharp comedy, and listener connection. Radio insiders remember him as a guy who turned the mic into a stage, blending the intimacy of talk radio with the unpredictability of live comedy.

Jay Thomas’s Radio Career Highlights

Early Beginnings

• Local stations in the South: After college, Thomas began his radio career at smaller stations in cities including Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida, as well as Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee.

Charlotte, North Carolina

• WAYS-AM (Big WAYS): In 1972, he took a role at WAYS-AM in Charlotte, becoming a “morning zoo” shock-jock and a local sensation.

New York City (Mid–Late 1970s)

• 99X (Top 40): From 1976 to 1979, Jay Thomas worked at this Top 40 station, establishing himself in the New York radio market.

• WKTU-FM (Rhythmic CHR): Following his stint at 99X, he continued his New York radio career on WKTU-FM.

Los Angeles (1980s–Early 1990s)

• KPWR “Power 106”: In 1986, Thomas moved to LA and became the morning host on KPWR’s high-energy Morning Zoo. He remained a top-rated personality there until 1993.

Television Stardom

Though radio was his foundation, Thomas broke through to a national audience with memorable TV roles. Fans of 1980s and 1990s television remember him as Eddie LeBec, Carla’s goofy, hockey-playing boyfriend on Cheers, and later as the sharp-tongued talk show host Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown, a role that won him two Emmy Awards. His TV presence mirrored his radio style—irreverent, charming, and impossible to ignore.

Jay Thomas on Cheers

The Annual Christmas Story

For many, Jay Thomas’s legend is tied to his annual holiday appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Every December, he would tell the same wild story about a run-in with Lone Ranger actor Clayton Moore and an out-of-control car. Audiences never tired of it—it became one of late night’s most enduring traditions, capped off by Thomas’s football toss to knock a meatball off the top of a Christmas tree. That mix of humor, nostalgia, and tradition summed up what fans loved about him: he made everyone feel like they were in on the joke.

Return to Radio

Even while he enjoyed TV fame, Thomas stayed close to his first love—radio. In the 2000s, he hosted The Jay Thomas Show on SiriusXM, where he could once again be himself: unfiltered, funny, and deeply engaging. He thrived in the satellite format, where rules were looser and personalities could dominate. Loyal listeners tuned in for his stories, his take on showbiz, and the same off-the-cuff brilliance that had defined his early career.

Jay Thomas was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2021 as part of the “Legends” class, recognized for his influential contributions as an air personality in New York and Los Angeles during the 1970s through the 1990s

Satellite Radio (2000s Onward)

• SiriusXM: Starting in 2005, he hosted The Jay Thomas Show on SiriusXM—broadcast on the “Comedy Greats” channel (Howard 101), returning once again to his radio roots.

Legacy of Laughter

Jay Thomas passed away in 2017 at the age of 69, but he left behind a body of work that stretches across generations and media. His voice was as much a part of American broadcasting as his face was a staple on classic TV sitcoms. Whether behind a microphone, in front of a camera, or tossing a football on late night television, Thomas embodied a kind of entertainment that was fearless, authentic, and always funny.

According to Mike Kinosian, Veteran Radio Journalist & Analyst:

“On a personal note, I had the sensationally good fortune to have bumped into him by coincidence in the early-1990s. We engaged in a marathon, hilarious conversation in which we talked about a wide-ranging number of topics. Jay was somehow BEYOND gracious to remain in touch countless times in which I had the privilege of catching up with him on his career and life in general. 

His legacy is that of a broadcaster who didn’t just work in radio and television—he lit them up with his unmistakable voice and presence.