Cool, calm and collected, the streetwise Detective Tubbs won plenty of hearts, while others had their eyes set firmly on his light blue 1964 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. He may have been a crucial part of the show's success, but since then Philip Michael Thomas has stepped away from the bright lights of Hollywood fame and opted for a different path with a taste of privacy.
Read on to see what the star has been up to since his crime-fighting days, his extensive family and the project that stole his attention away from the screen...
© Getty ImagesPhilip Michael Thomas got his start in the early '70s
Early roles
Born 26 May 1949, Philip Michael Thomas got his start on screen in the early '70s with a role in crime comedy Come Back Charleston Blue and a star casting in Stigma.
Roles like 1975 satire Coonskin and 1976 musical Sparkle set Philip up on the path for success and prepared him for mainstream fame in Miami Vice.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesPhilip Michael Thomas stars as Detective Tubbs in 'Miami Vice'
Miami Vice
Miami Vice turned Philip Michael Thomas into a household name as Detective Ricardo Tubbs. The street-wise New Yorker had the perfect accessory in his 1964 Cadillac convertible and stole the show with his cool demeanour.
He originally came on the scene to take his revenge on the criminal who killed his brother. Detective Tubbs teams up with James 'Sonny' Crockett and carries on their partnership for five years.
© Getty ImagesPhilip and Kassandra were married between 1986 and 1998
Love life
Philip Michael Thomas wed model and singer Kassandra Green in 1986. They divorced 12 years later in 1998 after welcoming five children: Sacred, Imaj, Sovereign, Kharisma and Noble.
He was previously linked to Dhaima Matthews with whom he welcomed two children. As of 2026, he's keeping his romantic relationships private and out of the public eye.
© Getty ImagesPhilip Michael Thomas is reportedly a father of 11 children and has a step-daughter
Fatherhood journey
Philip Michael Thomas reportedly has 11 biological children from five different relationships. He welcomed his first daughter, Sacha, with his first wife Pat Thomas and daughter Krishna with Merria Ross.
He also fathered Melody and India with Sheila Dewindt; Chayenne and Gabriel with Dhaima Matthews; and Imaj, Sovereign, Sacred, Kharisma and Noble with Kassandra Thomas. Philip also has a step-daughter, Monica.
© Getty ImagesPhilip is now focusing on his work in the music business
Musical talent
Philip last appeared on screen in 2003 thriller Fate and voice acted in 2006 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
Now, he's focusing on independent music production as CEO of Spaceship Records. In 2025, he published the 25th Anniversary edition of Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker Colouring Book with music and lyrics.
© WireImage via Getty ImagesPhilip is directing his energy back into music
Full circle moment
Philip's passion for music is a lifelong love affair. As he told Miami Vice Online, "I always wanted to be a singer. I love music and it is my heart and soul. I always heard my mother singing around the house and it is the most natural thing to do."
In the 2006 interview, Philip explained that he'd consider taking on a role if the perfect one came along, but that his energy was focused on producing musical Sacha on Broadway, the story of a young girl who wants to be a Broadway star. "I know what time it is for me and I am only interested in doing things that I truly love."
