Unlimited Whispers

In my quest to find a little something different and positive, I decided to do a “Gone, But Not Forgotten” post each month or week.  I haven’t decided yet.

{Michelle with some of her co-stars}

It must be fate, because Michelle Thomas was first on my list and her birthday was a little more than a week ago.  If you’re still a fan, join the group on facebook in her honor “Remembering Michelle Thomas.”  There’s 1200+ members to the group surely she had more fans than that.  The group is held down by her mom Penwah Phynjuar.   Now on with the post.

This was one of those celebrity passing that was so unbelievable and hard on so many fans.  She had one of the sweetest dispositions and she played the heck her character of Myra Monkhouse.   For those of you who don’t know, here’s a bit of nostalgia.

Michelle Thomas was born September 23, 1968.   She was best known for her roles as Justine Phillips (girlfriend of Theo Huxtable they were also a couple off camera)The Cosby Show,  as Myra Monkhouse (girlfriend of Steve Urkel) on  Family Matters and she portrayed Callie Rogers Stark, an aspiring singer on the The Young and the Restless. She left the series in October 1998.

Michelle grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Phynjuar Thomas, a stage actress and Dennis Thomas a member of a music group Kool & the Gang.  In 1984, Thomas was crowned Miss Talented Teen New Jersey in Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen Competition.  The following year, she competed in the international pageant and won the title of International Queen.

 In the video Michelle’s mother remembers Michelle.

 

Since her acting was so good she began guess starring in Hit shows such as Roseanne, Thea, Malcolm and Eddie and A man called Hawk. Michelle Thomas was in attendance at the 1996 ”Soul Train Music Awards” as a Special Guess Host along with Monifah, Heavy D and Tha Truth. Michelle Thomas was given a starring role in “Mint Conditions” 1996 video Hit Song ” What Kind Of Man Would I Be”. While still on Family Matters she Had a Heavy Scheldule. In 1997 she was Given a Starring Role in Platnum selling R&B Group Dru Hill’s # 1 Hit Song Video “Never Make A Promise”, she was in attendance on The 3rd Annual 1997 Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards” as Special Guess Host and Award Presenter.

In August of 1997 Michelle was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach Cancer called Intra-Abdominal Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. She Refused Treatment at first but then decided to because it was Terminal. During the last season of Family Matters her Cancer grew worse making it harder for her to do her scences after the show ended In 1998 the Lemon Sized Tumor was removed and she was recovered. In August of 1998 Michelle  landed a starring role as Callie Rogers on “The Young And The Restless”.
In October of 1998 she was emergency rushed to the hospital due to a new ruptured Tumor in her Stomach. It was removed but on Decemeber 23, 1998 Michelle Thomas died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City at the age of 30. Her friends, family and her boyfriend Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner was at her bedside when she passed away.  She is survived by her mother, Phynjuar Thomas, a stage actress who was her personal coach, her father, Dennis Thomas, saxophonist and musical director of the group Kool & The Gang, her brother, David Thomas, and her grandfather, Cecil Saunders.

On December 26, a Muslim funeral service was held, as Michelle requested. She was buried in Montclair, New Jersey, near her home. After her death her movie starring her called “Unbowed” was released in Febuary of 1999. And she was given a tribute on The Young And The Restless and on the Broadway Theaters.
Fun Facts Of Michelle Thomas
She stood at 5′ Feet
She is of Christian Religion
She was voted #1 Sexiest Black Women Ever
Her last Words To Malcolm-Jamal Warner was “I Love You”
She was truly a joy to watch.  R.I.P