Family moved from upstate New York to suburban Philadelphia when Thal was young

Acted in high school productions

Entered college to study engineering

Left college and moved to New York to pursue a career in acting; supported himself by appearing in commercials

Feature film debut in a leading role, "A Stranger Among Us"

Appeared in a pivotal supporting role in "Six Degrees of Separation"

Made Broadway debut opposite Sigourney Weaver in "Sex and Longing"

TV-movie debut in title role of Samson in "Samson and Delilah" (TNT)

Co-starred with Halle Berry in the ABC TV-movie "The Wedding"

Had leading role in the thriller "Down"; released theatrically in Europe