Philip Michael Thomas
Philip Michael Thomas (May 26, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio) is an American actor. Thomas' most famous role is that of detective Ricardo Tubbs on the hit 1980s Television series Miami Vice. His first notable role was opposite Irene Cara in the 1976 film Sparkle. Following his success in Miami Vice, Thomas appeared in numerous made-for-TV movies and advertisements for telephone psychic services. He served as a spokesperson for cell phone entertainment company Nextones, and he supplied the voice for the character Lance Vance on the video games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. He is multi-racial, being of German, Native American, African American and Irish ancestry. [1]
Miami Vice
Philip played the role of Ricardo Tubbs, an ex-NYPD Cop from the Bronx, who came down to Miami looking for revenge against the person who killed his brother Rafael Tubbs. There in Miami he encounters another undercover cop, Sonny Crockett, who is ironically looking for the same person as Tubbs. Tubbs got his revenge, and Crockett and Tubbs became television icons.
He also plays a similar role in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (VG), as Lance Vance, who is trying to avenge his brother, Vance Vance's death. Lance's character is most likely inspired by Ricardo's character.
Thomas also invented the phrase "EGOT", meaning "Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony", in reference to his plan of winning all four. Thomas achieved a People Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination but lacked even a nomination for any of the aforementioned awards.
Musical career
In 1985, Thomas recorded a music album entitled Living the Book of My Life. It sold poorly and failed to produce a single. Thomas' Miami Vice co-star Don Johnson recorded an album shortly afterward entitled Heartbeat. Although Johnson's album was more successful, producing a top-five single, both albums are commonly regarded with ridicule and are considered prime examples of the hubris of successful performers.
Thomas followed up in 1988 with a second album, Somebody. It also failed to produce a single and sold poorly. Thomas has not recorded a third album.
Life after Miami Vice
Psychic Reader's Network
In 1994, Thomas signed an agreement with Florida-based Psychic Reader's Network (later known as Traffix, Inc.) to become the spokesman for the Philip Michael Thomas Psychic Connection. He appeared in television spots 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!"
Traffix replaced Thomas as spokesman in favor of Miss Cleo. Thomas sued, alleging breach of contract, and won. In 2002, a New York arbitrator awarded Thomas $1.48 million for improper use of his name and likeness, and an additional $780,000 in interest.
Nash Bridges
In 1997, Thomas reprised his role as Don Johnson's partner and friend in the police drama Nash Bridges. He played Cedrick "Rick" Hawks, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent from Miami visiting Bridges, played by Johnson, 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, aired in 2001 during the program's final season.
Filmography
- Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972)
- Stigma (1972)
- Book of Numbers (1973)
- Mr. Ricco (1975)
- Black Fist (1975)
- Coonskin (1975)
- Sparkle (1976)
- Death Drug (1978)
- The Dark (1979)
- The Mushroom Eater (1980)
- Of Stigma (1982)
- Hey Good Lookin' (1982) (voice)
- The Wizard of Speed and Time (1989)
- Miami Shakedown (1993) (also executive producer)
- River of Stone (1994)
- Fate (2003)
Television Work
- Toma (1973) (pilot for series)
- The Beasts Are On the Streets (1978)
- Roots: The Next Generations (1979) (miniseries)
- Lawman Without a Gun (1979)
- Valentine (1979)
- Miami Vice (1984-1990)
- A Fight for Jenny (1986)
- False Witness (1989)
- A Little Piece of Sunshine (1990)
- Extralarge: Moving Target (1990)
- Extralarge: Miami Killer (1991)
- Extralarge: Magic Power (1991)
- Extralarge: Jo-Jo (1991)
- Extralarge: Cannonball (1991)
- Extralarge: Black Magic (1991)
- Extralarge: Black and White (1991)
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991)
- We Are Angels (1997) (miniseries)
External links