The original member of Kool and the Gang, saxophonist and musical director, Dennis Thomas, has a daughter who was a very popular Cosby Show actress. If you watched sitcoms in the 80’s and 90’s you will definitely recognize her face. Back in the day, she was also connected to a famous 80’s actor.
She is none other than the late, beautiful Michelle Thomas, the actress who is best known for her roles as “Theo’s” girlfriend, “Justine,” on The Cosby Show, as “Myra,” “Steve Urkel’s” girlfriend on Family Matters, and as “Callie” on The Young and the Restless.
Back in the day many people never knew that Michelle was Dennis Thomas’ daughter, which meant she did a great job at building her own brand, without leaning on her father’s name. Her mother, Phynjuar Thomas, is also an actress and was Michele’s acting coach throughout her entire career.
The Cause Of Michelle’s Passing
Unfortunately, Michelle sadly passed away at the young age of 30. In August 1997, she was diagnosed with a very rare form of stomach cancer, called a intra-abdominal desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor.
In the spring of 1998, she had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a lemon, just before she got the part for her role as “Callie” on The Young and the Restless. In October 1998, Michelle had to have another surgery after a second cancerous growth appeared. Upon her release from the hospital, Thomas flew home to New Jersey to spend Thanksgiving with her family.
Hello. And Bye.