Actors - Philip Michael Thomas

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	Actors - Philip Michael Thomas

Philip Michael Thomas (May 26, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio) is an African-American actor.

Thomas' most famous role is that of detective Ricardo "Rico" 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 , and he supplied the voice for the character Lance Vance on the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Music 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.

He is of German, Native American, African and Irish ancestry.

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.

Filmography

Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972)
Stigma (1972)
Book of Numbers (1973)
Mr. Ricco (1975)
Black Fist
(1975)
Coonskin
(1975) (voice)
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)

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Philip Michael Thomas ]

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