Philip Michael Thomas
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- For the 19th century American politician, see Philip Francis Thomas
| Philip Michael Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Philip Michael Thomas May 26, 1949 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
Philip Michael Thomas (born May 26, 1949) is an American actor.
Thomas' most famous role is that of detective Ricardo Tubbs on the hit 1980s TV 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 mixed race, being of German, Native American, African American and Irish ancestry.[1][2]
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[edit] Acting
[edit] 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.
Thomas also invented the phrase "EGOT", meaning "Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony", in reference to his plans for winning all four. Thomas achieved a People's Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination but lacked even a nomination for any of the aforementioned awards.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
He performed a voice-over in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (VG) as Lance Vance, a main character who is trying to avenge his brother, Victor Vance's death. He reprised the voice-over role in the prequel Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006) (VG) which details Lance's arrival in Vice City, his business with drugs, and his relationship with his brother.
[edit] Music career
In 1985, Thomas recorded a music album entitled Living the Book of My Life. It sold poorly and failed to produce a hit 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.[3]
Thomas followed up in 1988 with a second album, Somebody. It also failed to produce a hit and sold poorly. In 1993, Thomas teamed with Kathy Rahill to compose My, My, Miam...i, which was chosen as the city of Miami's theme song.[4] That same year, Thomas teamed with Jamaican fitness instructor Sandi Morais to compose songs for a family-friendly musical entitled Sacha, which enjoyed runs in south Florida and New York.[5] The two formed the Magic Cookie Production Company. Thomas also produced the music for Morais' fitness videos in 2001 and 2006.
Thomas has announced plans to release a new CD in 2007 with music from Morais' workout video, Tune-Up. According to Thomas, the CD "will feature an eclectic array of music from exotic Reggae sounds, Latin rhythms and sensual R & B sounds."[6]
[edit] 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)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
- Fate (2003)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
[edit] 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)
- Detective Extralarge: Moving Target (1990)
- Detective Extralarge: Miami Killer (1991)
- Detective Extralarge: Magic Power (1991)
- Detective Extralarge:: Jo-Jo (1991)
- Detective Extralarge: Cannonball (1991)
- Detective Extralarge: Black Magic (1991)
- Detective Extralarge: Black and White (1991)
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991)
- We Are Angels (1997) (miniseries)
[edit] References
- ^ Philip Michael Thomas Biography.
- ^ Zoglin, Richard (1985-09-16). "Cool Cops, Hot Show". Time Magazine. Time Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
- ^ Andrew Stuttaford. Something in the Air. National Review Online. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
- ^ Thomas' Music Entry. Sandi Morais Online. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ Sacha On Broadway. Sandi Morais Online. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ Thomas' Music Entry. Sandi Morais Online. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
[edit] External links
- Philip Michael Thomas at the Internet Movie Database
- Interview with Philip Michael Thomas, 2006/03/12
- CourtTV's report of Thomas' lawsuit against Traffix, Inc.
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