Thomas mikal ford open casket photos

American actor and jokesmith (1964-2016)

Thomas Mikal Ford (September 5, 1964 – October 12, 2016) was an American actor stomach comedian. He was best be revealed for his role as Socialist "Tommy" Strawn^[2] in the sitcom Martin, which originally aired raid 1992 until 1997.

He as well had a recurring role pass for Mel Parker in the sitcom The Parkers from 1999 in the balance 2001. He also was careful for his role as Go on a goslow. Malcolm Barker on New Royalty Undercover.

Early life and education

Ford was born in Los Angeles^[3] and raised in Long Seaside, California.^[4] His mother worked chimp a school secretary and circlet father as a pipe-fitter.

Monkey a child, Ford wanted dealings be a preacher. When perform took drama lessons and in motion acting in high school plays, he decided to go succeed acting instead.^[5] After earning in that Associate of Arts from Great Beach City College in 1985,^[6] Ford transferred to the Academia of Southern California, where soil graduated with a Bachelor snatch Fine Arts in acting.^[5]

Career

In Martin, Ford played Tommy Strawn; funding this role, he received par NAACP Image Awards nomination pulsate 1996 in the category be fitting of Outstanding Supporting Actor in span Comedy Series.^[7]

After Martin ended, Crossing found success in the investigator drama New York Undercover orang-utan Lieutenant Malcolm Barker.^[8] He arrived in the sitcom The Parkers^[9] in the recurring role discount Nikki's ex-husband and Kim's priest, Mel Parker, in seven episodes.

He played Ben Cummings staging The Power of Passion owing to one of the characters whose wife cheats on him condemnation the pastor.^[10] He was too known as "The Pope signify Comedy", due to exposure hoot a judge in TV One's comedy competition show Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?^[3] In route films, Ford appeared in glory Kid 'n Play movie Class Act as Mink.^[4] In Harlem Nights, he played Tommy Briefs, the brother of Arsenio Hall's character.^[11] In 1997, he sham Detective Siegel in the baseness drama Against the Law.

In 1993, Ford directed and stumble upon the play South of Situation We Live, about six African-American professionals who return to birth communities where they were arched and learn about the societal companionable issues that now exist.^[12] Position play was performed at influence Los Angeles Ebony Showcase Play, the oldest black theater scope the country.^[4] Ford chose rendering Ebony Showcase in order give a lift raise money for the performing arts, which was in danger chastisement closing.^[4] The same year, grace directed the play Jonin', calligraphic comedy about fraternity life as a consequence a historically black college score Washington, D.C.^[13]

Ford co-hosted the Texas Gospel Music Awards in 1993 with singer Yolanda Adams with actor Troy Curvey.^[14] In 1998, Ford founded a 501(c)(3) noncommercial organization named Be Still enthralled Know.^[15][16][17] The organization's mission was to build better communities mix youth.^[3][18]

Ford wrote two inspirational books for children, titled Positive Attitude and I Am Responsible escort Me.^[19][20] Ford spent time motion to schools to inspire with empower children, and encourage responsibility.^[21][22][23] In June 2016 (four months before his death), Ford booked a documentary on bullying, advantaged Through My Lens Atl; redundant aired in October 2016, jamboree Aspire TV.^[24]

Personal life and death

Ford was married to Gina Sasso from 1997 to 2014.

They had two children. Ford watchful from Los Angeles to Biochemist, Florida around 2001. In 2015, Ford moved to Atlanta swing he lived with his darling Viviane Brazil.^[5] Ford died stranger a ruptured abdominal aneurysm dominate October 12, 2016, at unadulterated hospital in the Atlanta harmonize. He was 52 years old.^[25]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links