Philip Michael Thomas
Philip Michael Thomas is a retired American actor and musician and composer best known for his role as detective Ricardo Tubbs on the hit 1980s TV series Miami Vice. His first notable roles were in Coonskin and opposite Irene Cara in the 1976 film Sparkle. After his success in Miami Vice, he appeared in numerous made-for-TV movies and advertisements for telephone psychic services. He also voiced the character Lance Vance in the video games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
Early life
Thomas was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in San Bernardino, California. He is of African American, Native American, Irish, and German descent. His father, Louis Diggs, was a foreman at a Westinghouse plant. Thomas's mother was Lulu McMorris. He and his seven half brothers and sisters had the surname Thomas, which was the last name of his mother's first husband. His siblings were Marcus, Michelle, Karen, Anita, Carol, Crystal and George.As a child, he acted in his church's theater group and at age 15, while participating in the Pentecostal Delman Heights Four Square Gospel Church choir, became interested in ministry. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1967 and briefly worked as a janitor to save money for college. He earned a scholarship to the historically Black Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, where he studied religion and philosophy.
After two years at Oakwood College, Thomas transferred to the University of California, Riverside. During that time, he auditioned for and was cast in the San Francisco production of Hair, beginning his acting career. He quit college to pursue acting as a profession, appearing in several features during the 1970s - including the classic musical drama Sparkle. His big break came in 1984, when he landed a starring role in the popular television series Miami Vice alongside Don Johnson.
Career
Acting
''Miami Vice''
In 1984, Thomas began playing the role of Ricardo Tubbs, an ex-New [York City Police Department|NYPD] police officer from the Bronx who came to Miami seeking revenge on the person who killed his brother Rafael Tubbs. In Miami he encounters another undercover cop, Sonny Crockett, who is coincidentally looking for the same person. Thomas was reportedly paid $25,000 per episode for Seasons 1–2. In 1986, he was given an increase to $50,000 per episode for Seasons 3–5. Johnson was paid $30,000 per episode for Seasons 1–2 and $90,000 per episode for Seasons 3–5.Thomas coined the acronym "EGOT", in reference to his plans for winning all four awards. He has not,, been nominated for any of these awards, but has received a People's Choice Award and a Golden Globe Award nomination.
''Extralarge'' & ''We Are Angels''
Thomas starred in the six-part television miniseries Extralarge with Bud Spencer in 1991. Thomas was replaced by Michael Winslow for the second series. Thomas teamed up again with Spencer when they starred in another miniseries called We Are Angels released in 1997.''Nash Bridges''
In 1997, Thomas was reunited with Don Johnson for two appearances in the police drama Nash Bridges. He played Cedrick "Rick" Hawks, a Deputy United States Marshal from Miami visiting Bridges in San Francisco. His first appearance was in the episode "Wild Card", and his second and final appearance was in the episode "Out of Miami", which aired in 2001 during the program's final season.''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City''
In 2002, Thomas did a voice-over in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as Lance Vance, a supporting character who aids the game's protagonist, Tommy Vercetti, in several story missions while trying to avenge the death of his brother, Victor Vance, who was killed in a botched drug deal with Tommy at the beginning of the game. He reprised the role in the 2006 prequel Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, which is about Lance's arrival in Vice City, the beginning of his involvement in the drug business, and his relationship with Victor.Music
In 1985, Thomas released a music album titled Living [the Book of My Life] under his own record label called Spaceship Records. It sold poorly and failed to produce a hit single, although Thomas produced a video for the track "Just the Way I Planned It"; the song reached #75 on the BillboardR&B chart. He performed the title song of the album during the 1985 Miami Vice episode "The Maze." The episode "Trust Fund Pirates" featured another song of his, "La Mirada". His Miami Vice co-star Don Johnson recorded an album shortly afterward titled Heartbeat. In 1987, Thomas recorded a song called "Ever and Forever" with Argentine singer Lucía Galán of Pimpinela fame.
Thomas released a second album, Somebody, in 1988. It also failed to produce a hit and sold poorly; though its single "Don't Make Promises" did best the prior single, reaching #56 on the Billboard
R&B chart. In 1993, Thomas teamed with Kathy Rahill to compose "My, My, My, Miam...I", which was chosen to be the city of Miami's theme song. That same year, Thomas teamed with Jamaican fitness instructor Sandi Morais to compose songs for a family-friendly musical titled Sacha, which enjoyed runs in south Florida and New York. The two formed the Magic Cookie Production Company. Thomas produced the music for Morais' fitness videos in 2001 and 2006.
Psychic Reader's Network
In 1994, Thomas signed an agreement with Psychic Reader's Network based in Melbourne, Florida, becoming the spokesman for the Philip Michael Thomas International Psychic Network. He appeared in television ads and claimed to have met the planet's premier psychics through his "world travels". He dressed similarly to his Miami Vice alter ego, even opening the ads with the phrase, "From Miami Vice to world advice!" He appeared in informercials with Eileen Brennan and Todd McKee along with his daughter, Sacha Nicole, promoting the psychic line. Thomas released a cassette of music linked to his psychic business titled PMT Psychic Connection, Volume I.Traffix replaced Thomas with Miss Cleo. He sued, alleging breach of contract, and won. In 2002, a New York arbitrator awarded Thomas $1.48 million for the improper use of his name and likeness and an additional $780,000 in interest.