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Philip Michael Thomas Coined ‘EGOT’ but Still Has No Nominations or Awards

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Growing up in the 1980s, there wasn’t a TV show I adored more than Miami Vice; The A-Team came a close second. Fast forward to a later time when I stumbled upon the term “EGOT,” a Hollywood accolade given to individuals who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. It was much later that I found out where this term originated, tracing back to one of my beloved shows’ stars, Philip Michael Thomas, who portrayed Det. Rico Tubbs in Miami Vice.

Correct, Thomas is indeed the trailblazer who conceived the concept and popularized the term, which has since gained significant recognition in Hollywood for more than four decades following his initial public mention. Thomas rightfully receives accolades for proposing the notion that a versatile actor could or would secure all four of the most esteemed awards in Hollywood. In the mid-’80s, he shared with the world his strategy to achieve this feat. Regrettably, things have not turned out as he had envisioned.

So far, only 20 individuals have achieved the coveted EGOT status (that is, winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony) or 27 if you count non-competitive special awards, with stars like Mel Brooks, Elton John, Audrey Hepburn, and Rita Moreno making the list. However, there are another 15 individuals who are just one award short of this feat. Regrettably, Philip Michael Thomas does not appear on either list, and it’s a disappointment for fans of the ’80s heartthrob.

The History Of The “EGOT” Term

In the year 1984, as per “Vanity Fair”, Thomas began donning a necklace inscribed with “EGOT”. He went on to clarify what this acronym symbolized. Furthermore, he publicly declared… (The rest of the sentence remains the same)

Hopefully, in the next five years, I will win all of those awards.

Thomas indeed had a strategic approach in place. He was already gracing our screens on a popular television program (a show boasting some eccentric guest stars), and in 1985, he debuted his first album entitled “Living the Book of My Life.” This was followed by another release titled “Somebody” in 1988. Regrettably, neither album managed to create a significant stir on the charts or at the Grammys, failing to secure a nomination. However, he did enjoy a minor success in Miami with the song “My, My, My, Miam…I,” but alas, no Grammy was forthcoming.

The phrase gained widespread popularity towards the end of 2009 when Tracy Morgan’s character on “30 Rock” spotted a necklace, similar to one once owned by Thomas, much like the “EGOT” necklace he wore in the ’80s. Excitedly, Tracy expressed his intention to also win all four awards. This sparked a wave of discussion across pop culture, making the term well-known and popular.

Sadly, Things Didn’t Work Out For Thomas

As of 2025, Philip Michael Thomas remains EGOT-less, as he has yet to secure any of the four awards. Interestingly, his nomination for these awards, as he himself stated in an interview with Johnny Carson, appears to be unverified, as no such nomination can be found in Emmy’s historical records.

It’s disappointing. I’m not suggesting he should have won every category, but he certainly deserved some recognition, particularly for “Miami Vice” or one of his collaborations with Don Johnson on “Nash Bridges.

Thomas took a retirement about two decades ago, and his last public appearance was in the game “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” back in 2003. However, it’s always possible for a comeback, perhaps in the upcoming remake of “Miami Vice”!

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2025-05-15 02:10

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