When Matlock premiered on March 3, 1986, it leaned heavily on the comforting presence of Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock. However, the show wouldn’t have been the same without his supporting players. Michelle Thomas, a young lawyer works alongside Matlock in seasons two through six, was played by Nancy Stafford, whose entrance in the first season and promotion to series regular helped modernize the series. Stafford’s performance made her one of the most recognizable faces on late ’80s television — and when she left the series in 1992, some fans assumed she had stepped away from acting altogether. In reality, her career took a very different path. Let’s find out what she’s been up to now in her 70s.
