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Philip Michael Thomas

Acting Born May 26, 1949 Columbus, Ohio, USA 49 credits
49
Total Credits
2024
81 Years Career Span
16
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Philip Michael Thomas is a retired American actor and musician born on May 26, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio. He is best known for his role as detective Ricardo Tubbs on the 1980s television series Miami Vice. His early notable film roles include Coonskin in 1975 and Sparkle in 1976, where he starred opposite Irene Cara. Following his success on Miami Vice, Thomas appeared in numerous made-for-television movies and advertisements for telephone psychic services. In addition to his screen work, he voiced the character Lance Vance in the video games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in 2002 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories in 2006.

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Career

Career overview

Philip Michael Thomas is a retired American actor and musician born on May 26, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio. He is best known for his role as detective Ricardo Tubbs on the hit 1980s television series Miami Vice. His early career included notable roles in the 1975 film Coonskin and opposite Irene Cara in the 1976 film Sparkle.

Following his success on Miami Vice, Thomas appeared in numerous made-for-television movies and advertisements for telephone psychic services. In addition to his screen and television work, he voiced the character Lance Vance in the video games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, released in 2002, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, released in 2006.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

No Family Without Blood
2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift
High ChaparallFate
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
Where Are They Now?
We Are Angels
Nash BridgesE! True Hollywood Story
Miami ShakedownMiami Shakedown · Executive Producer
Detective ExtralargePerry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter
A Little Piece of Sunshine
False WitnessMiami Vice: FreefallThe Wizard of Speed and Time
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
A Fight for JennyCharlie Barnett's Terms of Enrollment
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
Miami ViceMiami Vice: Brother's Keeper
Hey Good Lookin'
Trapper John, M.D.Roots: The Next GenerationsThe DarkLawman Without a GunValentine
Loose ChangeThe Beasts Are on the StreetsDeath Drug
Black Fist
Sirota's CourtSparkleThe Fungi Man
Starsky & HutchWonder WomanCoonskinMr. Ricco
Police WomanGood TimesMovin' On
TomaBook of NumbersToma
Stigma
Medical Center
Golden Globe Awards

Full Filmography

49 titles
  • No Family Without Blood (2024) as Godfrey
  • 2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift (2010) as (archive footage)
  • High Chaparall (2003)
  • Fate (2003) as Detective Ciprian Raines
  • NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002) as Self
  • Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
  • We Are Angels (1997) as Joe Thomas / Father Zaccaria
  • Nash Bridges (1996) as Cedrick Hawks
  • E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
  • Miami Shakedown (1993) as Frank Ferguson
  • Miami Shakedown (1993) Executive Producer
  • Detective Extralarge (1991) as Dumas
  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991) as Chuck Gilmore
  • A Little Piece of Sunshine (1990) as Tomson
  • False Witness (1989) as Bobby Marsh
  • Miami Vice: Freefall (1989) as Det. Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs
  • The Wizard of Speed and Time (1989) as Policeman Mickey Polanko
  • Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988) as Self
  • A Fight for Jenny (1986) as David Caldwell
  • Charlie Barnett's Terms of Enrollment (1986) as Himself
  • The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (1985)
  • Miami Vice (1984) as Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs
  • Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper (1984) as Det. Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs
  • Hey Good Lookin' (1982) as Chaplin (voice)
  • Trapper John, M.D. (1979)
  • Roots: The Next Generations (1979) as Eddie Franklin
  • The Dark (1979) as Corn Rows
  • Lawman Without a Gun (1979) as Rufus Cartwright
  • Valentine (1979) as Bean
  • Loose Change (1978) as Skip
  • The Beasts Are on the Streets (1978) as Eddie Morgan
  • Death Drug (1978) as Jesse
  • Black Fist (1977) as Fletch & Boom Boom
  • Sirota's Court (1976)
  • Sparkle (1976) as Stix
  • The Fungi Man (1976) as Gaspar / Adopted boy
  • Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Kingston St. Jacques
  • Wonder Woman (1975) as Furst
  • Coonskin (1975) as Randy / Brother Rabbit (voice)
  • Mr. Ricco (1975) as Purvis Mapes (as Philip Thomas)
  • Police Woman (1974)
  • Good Times (1974)
  • Movin' On (1974)
  • Toma (1973) as Bad Sam
  • Book of Numbers (1973) as Dave Green
  • Toma (1973) as Sam Hooper
  • Stigma (1972) as Dr. Calvin Crosse
  • Medical Center (1969)
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Philip Michael Thomas best known for?

Philip Michael Thomas is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Nash Bridges (1996), Detective Extralarge (1991), Inherit the Wind (1960), Trapper John, M.D. (1979).

When and where was Philip Michael Thomas born?

Philip Michael Thomas was born on May 26, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

How many credits does Philip Michael Thomas have?

Philip Michael Thomas has accumulated over 49 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2024.

What is Philip Michael Thomas's background in cinema and television?

Philip Michael Thomas is a retired American actor and musician born on May 26, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio. He is best known for his role as detective Ricardo Tubbs on the 1980s television series Miami Vice. His early notable film roles include Coonskin in 1975 and Sparkle in 1976, where he starred opposite Irene Cara. Fol...