Philip Michael Thomas

Biography

Philip Michael Thomas is a retired American actor who also worked as a musician and composer. He grew up in San Bernardino, California, after being born in Columbus, Ohio, and later attended Oakwood College and the University of California, Riverside before leaving school to take a part in the San Francisco production of Hair. His early roles included Coonskin (1975) and the musical drama Sparkle (1976), playing opposite Irene Cara. His breakthrough came in 1984 with the part of detective Ricardo Tubbs on Miami Vice, opposite Don Johnson, a role that brought him a Golden Globe nomination along with a People's Choice Award. He later headlined the miniseries Extralarge with Bud Spencer, made two appearances on Nash Bridges, and voiced Lance Vance for the Grand Theft Auto games Vice City and Vice City Stories. He also released the albums Living the Book of My Life in 1985 and Somebody in 1988.

77years old

Turns 78 on May 26in 225 days

Born May 26, 1949Columbus
Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20

Movie Career

Films: 7
Career span: 13 years1975 to 1988

Genres

Action43%, 3 films
Comedy43%, 3 films
Drama43%, 3 films
Animation29%, 2 films
Crime29%, 2 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

A first
Thomas coined the acronym EGOT for the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, aiming to win all four. He had not been nominated for any of them as of 2026, though he received a People's Choice Award and a Golden Globe nomination.
First role
Thomas got his start in acting when he tried out for and won a part in the San Francisco staging of Hair. He left college to act as a profession, and appeared in several features during the 1970s.
A role that slipped away
Thomas starred with Bud Spencer in the six-part television miniseries Extralarge in 1991. For the second series, Michael Winslow took over Thomas's role.
Beyond film
Thomas and Kathy Rahill composed "My, My, My, Miam...I", which was chosen as the city of Miami's theme song in 1993.