Michelle Thomas
Michelle Doris Thomas was an American actress and comedian. She was known for her roles as Justine Phillips on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, and Myra Monkhouse, Steve Urkel's girlfriend on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters.
Early life and education
Thomas was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 23, 1968 to Dennis Thomas, a member of music group Kool & the Gang, and Phynjuar Thomas, a stage actress. Thomas grew up in Montclair, New Jersey and was an alumna of West Essex High School; graduating in 1987. She was crowned Miss Talented Teen New Jersey in Hal Jackson's Talented Teen pageant, and in July 1984, at the age of 15, became International Queen in the International competition in Montego Bay, Jamaica.Career
From 1988 to 1990, Thomas portrayed Justine Phillips, the girlfriend of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She later appeared on various television programs during the late 1980s and 1990s including A Man Called Hawk and Thea. Thomas had a role in Dream Date in 1989. In 1991, she had a small role in Hangin' with the Homeboys. Thomas also appeared in music videos for Boyz II Men, Mint Condition, Dru Hill, and Chubb Rock.In 1993, Thomas won the role of Myra Monkhouse in Family Matters. In 1997, Thomas served as a guest host of the weekly music series Soul Train. After Family Matters ended in 1998, Thomas portrayed Callie Rogers, an aspiring singer on The Young and the Restless. In October 1998, Thomas took a medical leave.
Health and death
Thomas was a vegetarian and never smoked or drank alcohol. In August 1997, Thomas was diagnosed with a rare cancer, intra-abdominal desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor. She underwent surgery to remove a lemon-sized tumor shortly before landing her The Young and the Restless role in the spring of 1998. In October 1998, she underwent surgery after a second cancerous growth ruptured. After being released from the hospital, Thomas flew home to New Jersey to spend Thanksgiving with her family.On December 22, or 23, 1998, aged 30, she died surrounded by her family and friends in New York City at Manhattan's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. On December 26, 1998, a Muslim funeral service was held, per her request. She was buried in Orange, New Jersey.
Filmography
;Film| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | Dream Date | Sally Palmer | Television film |
| 1991 | Hangin' with the Homeboys | Telemarketing Operator | |
| 1999 | Unbowed | Anna | Released posthumously |
;Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988-1990 | The Cosby Show | Justine Phillips | 8 episodes |
| 1989 | A Man Called Hawk | Ruthie Carver | Episode: "Choice of Chance" |
| 1993-1998 | Family Matters | Myra Monkhouse | 55 episodes |
| 1994 | Thea | Keanda | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Duckman | Episode: "Exile in Guyville" | |
| 1997 | Malcolm & Eddie | Brooke Bellamy | Episode: "Roofless People" |
| 1998 | The Young and the Restless | Callie Rogers |