Per Tom Weaver:
http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/25650 (http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/25650)
Michael Thomas has just died, just short of his 60th birthday, at home after some medical procedure.
I just screened THE DEVIL YOU KNOW at our mini-UMA meet last weekend; Mike did my appliances for that one.
I also shared several I-Con panels with him, courtesy of Prof. Kinema; he was truly a unique guy - and could be hoot to be with.
Rest to him, and comfort to his loved ones,
-Craig
That is truely very sad news.May he rest in ever loving peace and his family find comfort knowing he is now with our Lord in heaven.
What horrible news. He was so talented on so many levels (make up, acting, voice, etc etc) and so very nice and approachable at Monster Bash (the only convention I had seen him at). RIP, Igor.
I just read that Michael Thomas has passed away...not sure if this is old news or not.
I loved Michael Thomas...he was always at Monster Bash as "Old Ygor" and made quite a name for himself in Monster fandom for his Lugosi impersonations. (He's been Dracula, Dr. Vornoff, Ygor, etc. )
It will be sad to think of the Bash without him.
Did anyone here know him well? Was he ill?
Not trying to be morbid, but I did not know if this is a shock, or not.
Regardless, my condolensces to his family and many many friends.
He was a great fan and a heck of a Monster Kid.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fotinos
(Prof. Griffin)
R.I.P., Bela "Dracula" LuGosi imitator & actor, fiend & annual guest of The "Monster Bash" Classic Movie Convention, Michael Thomas. I met him many times at "Monster BASH" Convention, videotaped him as IGOR & he appears in cameos in some of my recent "Monster" comedy movies. Here's what I just said of him, in full & posted. -"ROCK"! Here is what I said on Mr. Michael "BELA" Thomas. See a photo of him, as Dracula in the new movie, "House of Wolfman" at "Creepy Classics", Home of "Monster BASH"(at: www.CreepyClassics.com (http://www.creepyclassics.com))! David ROCK Nelson just said:
Today I just read at "Monster BASH" website(www.CreepyClassics.com (http://www.creepyclassics.com)) that Bela "Dracula" LuGosi imitator & actor, fiend & annual guest of The "Monster Bash" Classic Movie Convention, Michael Thomas passed away this weekend. I met him often at "Monster BASH" (I've attended every the 1st one in '97), even videotaped him, as he's been in cameo scenes of some of my recent "monster" comedy movies, on dvd. He was fun to meet & talk to. I saw him dressed as "IGOR" on Martha Stewart's "Halloween" show in 2004 or so. May Mr. Michael Thomas rest in peace. Your "Fiend", ROCK, a.k.a. "ROCK 'MONSTA'(Monster)"! David "ROCK" Nelson, Monster comedy movie maker, actor, former Marine Corporal('76-'80), former Chicago Golden Gloves Boxer('76, '88-'91), etc. Now, see what ROCK's "Fiend", Monster Bash attendee & photographer told him on Mr. Thomas. Karl also visited "Okeefenokke Swamps" last week & played IGOR's song cd to & from the swamps! Ironically, Sat. David ROCK Nelson was helping at the "Chicago All Star Wrestling" show Sat. & began doing his own "swamp-type" monster flick, about an Aligator monster(dna turns a beauty into the monster) titled, "GATOR Gal"! Yesterday/Sun. Rock did the "mad dr." scenes in his "dungeon"(his
basement). Today, I heard the sad news on Michael "BELA" Thomas. Here's what "Monster Bash" attendee & photographer, Karl SPISSAK just said on Mr. Thomas:
Rock,
Igor is dead? That's terrible! He did the best monster impersonation that I've ever seen. He WAS Igor! That's one more of our Monster Bash family gone. Of course, we knew Forry wouldn't be around long, due to his age. But Michael was young, at least relatively young, wasn't he?
We just got back from vacation, visiting the Okefenokee Swamp, among other places. We listened to the "Igor" CD, and "Bela Lugosi", both by Michael. On the way down, and back.
The swamp reminded me of Michael playing Dr. Vornoff, in Bride Of The Monster,
"Home? I have no home. Hunted, despised, Living like an animal! The jungle is my home. But I will show the world that I can be its master! I will perfect my own race of people. A race of atomic supermen which will conquer the world! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
"This swamp is a monument to death. Snakes, alligators, quicksand... all bent on one thing: destruction."
What a terrible loss!
Karl -Karl Spissak, Monster Bash attendee, photographer -& "Fiend" of David ROCK Nelson
OMG---I just discovered him in the forthcoming House of the Wolfman project. That's terrible!
Love this guy and got to spend a few minutes with him on the HOUSE OF WOLFMAN set.
He was always a gracious presence and so talented.
God Bless he and his wife.
I enjoyed seeing him at the Monster Bash. He was very talented and entertaining. His Ygor was priceless. My sympathies go out to his fans, friends and family.
I loved Michael's stuff in his Seduction Cinema appearances over the years, of which Ygor was but one..I found him to be very funny & talented. My condolences to his loved ones & friends, and may he rest in peace!
Thread here, guys:
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=5781.0;topicseen (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=5781.0;topicseen)
(Two topics merged by moderator.)
Wow, this is sad. He seemed like he enjoyed his work very much!
My condolences to his friends and family!
RIP
Brian
This is very painful for me, as i am at a loss for words...i've known Mike for many years. We've performed together numerous times at Chiller Saturday night parties. I did all the instrumental tracks for Mike and Joe Girardi [aka Dr. Skull] on their ''Bela Lugosi'' Tribute song...my God, that was already 10 years ago... Great, great times being on stage together with Zacherley performing the latter song and Monster Mash. [twice w/the late, great Bobby Pickett]
So many wonderful memories that i can't gather my thoughts to coherently relate at the moment... I saw him at the Spring Chiller in the dealers room where we stood right next to each other for like 5 mins looking at the same shelf and i didn't recognize him. We finally turned and pointed at each other, wide eyed. He was unusually thin and was using a cane. He seemed very frail. But then again, there were times during past shows when i knew he wasn't well from various surgeries he'd undergone, yet he'd boldly stroll onto the stage, dressed as Dracula like he owned the place. Every hand gesture & facial expression 100% dead-on perfect. Will post more as i gather my thoughts. Right now i just can't wrap my brain around the reality of a world without Mike. I love you, buddy. It was an honor knowing you and heaven is a better place just for having you in it.
Mike Gilks
After enjoying his performances at many Bash conventions--where I never go to speak to him for very long at a time, he was so busy there--I finally was able to talk to him and his wife at a much more leisurely pace at the very small Kingsport TN convention late in 2008 when they were set up--sort of back to back to us--when I was with Sara Karloff. Mike was Igor there and was a delight in every way, so funny and kind, as Igor, kibitzing with Sara--and so warm and gracious talking with me, just being Mike. His passing is a terrible loss to this classic horror fan-world. He was, in every way, a class act.
(http://www.geocities.com/marcusfayne/mikethomas.jpg)
My heartfelt condolences. How fortunate many of you are to have known & worked w/him.
Wow, this was a sad thing to read. Michael Thomas always brought a laugh! I am so glad to have been able to write about him several times over the years.
Oooo, I missed this thread as I just posted an obit in the General Discussion. Mike was at Monster Bash this summer. He was happy and having a good time. I am glad I got to see him then.
A great impersonator and make-up man! It was always fun seeing Michael at Monster Bash! RIP
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3853072313_2d477df7dd_o.jpg)
Rick
Stoner's Monster Mayhem
How terribly sad. Mike was a great guy, enormously talented with a terrific sense of humor. I was always happy to be in his company, especially backstage at the Chiller Theatre concerts. I hope Christine is holding up, although I couldn't imagine how. He'll be remembered by fans for his amazing Lugosi imitations, but I can remember his Karloff and Carradine were spot-on as well. The conventions he regularly attended will never be the same.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/sketchyfrank/MikeThomas.jpg)
Michael was a great character impersonator, and a great thrill to be around at Monster Bash and Chiller shows. I feel lucky I was at the Zacherly/Bobby Pickett show a few shirt years back. I don't know if I ever chatted with him out of character, but he was a great entertainer. My heart goes out to all of you who knew him best. :'(
Michael
I don't think I ever saw him, without makeup. :) RIP My Friend. HHW
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/barnabus/100_1011.jpg) My first time meeting him at this years Bash where in this pic he was quoting"They die dead,Ygor die live"!My condolences to his wife and family.
GOD BLESS YOU, MIKE THOMAS, And may HE Comfort Your Wife, CHRISTINE.
... Thanks, to our Beloved Brother, PERRY SHIELDS, I was informed, of MICHAEL'S Sudden Passing. ... I'll be writing more, but, for now, I share your grief and shock, that, such a Bright, Special, Soul has been Called, HOME.
... I've added this "Limerick"-metered Ode, to the Limerick thread, as well as here.
:'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'(
Beloved Brother, MICHAEL THOMAS, has the Respect, of us, all,
He will, never, be forgotten, by MONSTER KIDS, Great, or, small;
To HEAVEN DIVINE, he's been Born,
In LOVE, EVERNOW; so, do, not, mourn;
Now, Complete, He dwells, in LOVE'S Perfection; as on Earth, 'twas His Call.
:'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'( ~~~~~~~~~~ :'(
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON & BARONESS & FRIENDS, GOO-O-OODD-D!, B.G.G.
"Mike Thomas Plies his Trade"
(http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/71025bccd1c0acfcb5e29d5062eba91408f4850.jpg)
Creating appliances for Craig Wichman's turn as the Name Character in William Roger's film THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (photos by, and courtesy of, the Director.)
Thanks, Mike!
-Craig
That Classic Monster Convention in Tennessee last year was significant to me for several reasons. I got to meet David Colton, Robert Taylor, Tim Herron, and Michael Thomas (not in that order). Here are some photos of us from that event. He was a great guy, one I looked forward to meeting again. So sad still, today.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/PShields79/DSCN1438.jpg)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/PShields79/DSCN1423.jpg)
Thank you all for posting your pics! Craig, nice to see what he looked like without makeup.
BK
'Welcome, BK.
Michael was one of those guys who just was full of Character, even out of character.
-Craig
I will miss seeing Mike at Monster Bash very, very much. He made people laugh and was friendly to everyone. As Robert said, a class act.
Mike was mentioned in GEN DISC and I thought I'd bring this back to the forefront here for people who missed it.