Philip Michael Thomas

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Philip Michael Thomas (May 26, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio) is an 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 Nextones.com, and he supplied the voice for the character Lance Vance on the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

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

1 Music Career
2 Psychic Reader's Network
3 Filmography
4 External links

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Music Career

Image:PMT-LTBOML.jpg 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.

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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.

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