Who is Michelle Thomas?

Michelle Thomas was an American actress and commercial model who rose to fame in the 1990s. She was born on September 23, 1968, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in New York. She was of African-American and Puerto Rican descent, which gave her a unique look that was perfect for modeling.

Thomas began her career as a model in the late 1980s, landing her first commercial for McDonald's, where she danced alongside NBA legend, Michael Jordan. Her beautiful smile and natural charm quickly made her a sought-after talent by advertising agencies and established brands.

In 1990, Thomas made her acting debut in the TV series "The Cosby Show" as Justine Philips, the stepdaughter of Cliff Huxtable's friend, and a rival love interest of Theo Huxtable. Thomas went on to make appearances in various TV shows and films, including "Family Matters," "The Young and the Restless," and "Dream Date."

However, it was her widely popular commercial for Wrigley's Doublemint Gum that catapulted her into the national spotlight. The commercial featured her and her identical twin sister, Michele, dancing and having fun while modeling. The commercial was a huge hit and became a huge part of the pop culture of the time.

Besides her commercial work, Thomas continued to work on her acting career. In 1992, she landed her most notable role in the TV series "Family Matters" as Myra Monkhouse, the perfect and sweet love interest of Steve Urkel. She played the role for four years, becoming a fan-favorite of the show's audience.

In 1998, Thomas was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called intra-abdominal desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor. Despite her diagnosis, she continued to work, and her last role was in the film "The Tragic Pursuit," which was released posthumously in 1999.

Michelle Thomas was an exceptional talent who exuded warmth and positive energy both on and off-screen. Her legacy as a talented actress and commercial model will continue to inspire generations to come.

Social media links