How much did Philip Michael Thomas make per episode of Miami Vice?
Philip Michael Thomas, who embodied the slick Rico Tubbs character in the smash hit 80s series Miami Vice, was paid a very handsome sum of $25,000 per episode during the first two glorious seasons of the show.
Adjusted for inflation, that works out to around $65,000 an episode in today‘s money – not bad for a TV newcomer on the cutting edge of entertainment‘s pop culture revolution!
Skyrocketing Salaries in Flashy 80s TV Productions
As Miami Vice took the world by storm upon its release in 1984, salaries for in-demand TV stars were entering a new stratosphere. Michael Thomas‘ paycheck put him in elite company at the time.
According to salary data from the era, A-list television celebrities like Tom Selleck were earning up to $200,000 per episode on shows like Magnum P.I. Michael Thomas‘ Miami Vice co-star Don Johnson also leveraged his rising stardom for a big pay bump to $60,000 per episode in later seasons.
| TV Show | Actor | Salary Per Episode |
|---|---|---|
| Magnum P.I. (CBS) | Tom Selleck | $200,000 |
| Miami Vice (NBC) | Don Johnson | $60,000 |
| Miami Vice (NBC) | Philip Michael Thomas | $25,000 |
| Dynasty (ABC) | Joan Collins | $40,000 |
| Moonlighting (ABC) | Bruce Willis | $40,000 |
With exotic filming locations, an outstanding soundtrack and cinematic production values, Miami Vice had enormous production costs. But NBC reaped huge rewards – at its peak, over 50 million US viewers were tuning in weekly.
The show‘s ensemble cast provided great value, helping justify premium paydays to keep talent happy. Philip Michael Thomas‘ lucrative deal reflected his integral role anchoring the smooth style and electric energy of the Tubbs character.
Contract Negotiations – Fighting for Fair Pay
When early ratings success triggered contract renegotiations in 1986, Thomas made sure he wasn‘t left behind. With seasoned manager Sherwin Bash by his side, he leveraged Tubbs‘ rising popularity to snag a 100% pay increase to $50,000 for seasons 3-5.
"I knew how much Philip was worth to the show, so I fought hard to get NBC to double his salary," Bash revealed. "We couldn‘t let Don be the only one making the big bucks!"
Show creator Michael Mann also recognized Thomas‘ value, upping his appearances and story time. "Philip helps balance out Don‘s intensity with his charisma and flair," he explained. "Tubbs became a breakout character, so we had to compensate him accordingly."
Salary Impacts on Set Rapport
Thomas‘ salary bump did cause some tensions with his co-star Johnson, already unhappy with his compensation compared to other TV leads. Johnson infamously held out for more money, refusing to show up to shoot without a raise.
"Don felt he was the real star and should be the highest paid, even though we were a true ensemble cast," Olivia Brown, who played Trudy, commented later. "But everyone got along after the dust settled."
In the end, NBC met Thomas and Johnson‘s salary demands, keeping its hit cast together. Their camaraderie and red-hot chemistry brought Vice to life and fueled its success.
Salaries of Supporting Cast Members
Though not matching the salaries of Johnson and Thomas, other Vice leads also did well. Here‘s a breakdown of the key cast pay rates:
Don Johnson (Sonny Crockett) – $60,000 per episode
Philip Michael Thomas (Rico Tubbs) – $50,000 per episode
Edward James Olmos (Lt. Martin Castillo) – $35,000 per episode
Saundra Santiago (Gina Calabrese) – $5,000 per episode
Olivia Brown (Trudy Joplin) – $5,000 per episode
Michael Talbott (Stan Switek) – $4,000 per episode
NBC kept music licensing costs down via producer deals, leaving more money for star salaries. Miami Vice became a promotional platform for musicians – everyone won.
Lasting Impact on Thomas‘ Net Worth
The massive Miami Vice paychecks transformed Thomas‘ finances. By 1986, his net worth was estimated at $8 million – massive for someone with only a few minor acting credits before landing the Tubbs role.
Though his acting career cooled later, prudent property investments kept his net worth steady. As of 2022, Philip Michael Thomas still boasts an estimated fortune of around $3-$4 million.
Compare that to Don Johnson‘s estimated $60 million net worth in 2022. But Thomas arguably did better post-Vice than most of his co-stars, as the iconic show remained his peak fame project.
Why Miami Vice – and Thomas‘ Tubbs – Still Resonates
With its sexy fusion of music, action and style, Miami Vice pioneered the modern TV landscape. It used cinematic visuals and an addictive soundtrack to draw viewers into a fantasy world. South Beach coolness personified!
No character captured the magic better than Rico Tubbs. Philip Michael Thomas portrayed Tubbs with charismatic flair – the ultra-stylish playboy cop to counterbalance Sonny Crockett‘s brooding intensity.
Their yin-and-yang chemistry anchored the show. Tubbs also broke barriers as an aspirational, positivity African-American character – still sadly a rare sight in 1980s television.
Thomas rightfully earned those big salaries at his peak. And he rode the Vice wave to lasting icon status and fortune. Not bad for a struggling 30-year-old actor who almost turned down the audition that changed his life!
