Michelle Thomas – Biography, when and how did she die?

Comic actress, Michelle Thomas was one of the brightest stars of American television between the late 80s and the 90s. She fell into the limelight while portraying the character of Justine Phillips in The Cosby Show. She later had the biggest role of her career on the ABC sitcom Family Matters in which she played the lead role of Myra Monkhouse. Thomas also recorded a recurring guest role on the acclaimed soap opera The Young and the Restless for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award nomination. Sadly, she passed away in 1998, putting an abrupt end to a promising career.

Michelle Thomas – Biography

The talented actress and comedian was born Michelle Doris Thomas on September 23, 1968. She was born in Brookline, Norfolk County, Massachusetts but grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. Interestingly, her parents were both involved in show business. His mother, Phynjuar Thomas, was a stage actress and acting coach while his father, Dennis “DT” Thomas played saxophone for the 1970s funk band, “Kool & the Gang”. She was raised alongside a sibling, a brother named David Thomas.

Michelle Thomas attended West Essex High School in North Cadwell, New Jersey. She also trained at the Montclair School of Arts and the Broadway Dance Center. Growing up, she entered many beauty pageants, including Hal Jackson’s Talent Teen pageant for which she was crowned Miss Talented Teen New Jersey. She finally won the title of international queen at the international competition held in Montego Bay (Jamaica) in July 1984.

Thomas began her acting career after graduating from high school in 1987. Her first major television role was on the hit NBC television series The Cosby Show (1988-90) with Justine Phillips. She portrayed the character Sally Palmer in the television movie Dream Date (1989) and also featured in the short-lived action series A Man Called Hawk (1989). The talented actress also had a minor role in the coming-of-age comedy film Hangin’ with the Homeboys (1991).

She was also on the main cast of the ABC sitcom Family Matters (1993-98) with series regular Myra Monkhouse. Michelle Thomas also recorded roles in other hit sitcoms The A (1994), Duckman (1996), and Malcolm and Eddie (1997). She also portrayed guest character Callie Rogers Stark on the hit opera The Young and the Restless (1998), which earned her a nomination for the 1999 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.

Michelle Thomas has appeared in several music videos during her career and in numerous theater productions in Los Angeles. His last acting role was in the romance film Unbowed (1999). The film was released after his death.

Height: How tall was he?

Michelle Thomas had a short stature at the age of 5 feet (152 m) tall. She was known for her generous physique and dazzling smile, the latter being her trademark. The stunning actress was also known for having long black hair.

How and when did she die?

Michelle Thomas was diagnosed with an unusual form of stomach cancer just weeks before her 29th birthday. The condition reportedly affected her work on the show Family Matters and her screen time was gradually reduced until she eventually quit the show. She is also said to have refused any form of treatment which could have hindered her chances of procreating in the future.

Before landing her role on The Young and the Restless, Michelle Thomas underwent surgery to remove a small tumor the size of a lemon. The actress underwent a second surgery in October 1998 after a second tumor ruptured. After Michelle Thomas was discharged from the hospital, she traveled to her home in New Jersey to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

Michelle Thomas’ untimely death occurred on December 23, 1998, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center located in Manhattan, New York. She was surrounded by family and friends, including her former boyfriend and actor, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. A Muslim funeral service was held in his honor on December 26, 1998, and his remains were interred at Rosedale Cemetery located in Orange, Essex County, New Jersey.