‘Kool & The Gang's Dennis Thomas' Daughter Was on 'The Cosby Show' but Died Too Young

Beloved "Cosby Show" actress Michelle Thomas who died at the young was the daughter of famous Kool & the Gang musician.

Even though it has been nearly 20 years since Michelle Thomas passed away, fans and friends of the lovely actress are still mourning her loss.

What many may not know is that the girl who played Theo Huxtable's girlfriend on "The Cosby Show" was the daughter of a famous Kool & the Gang musician, and actress Phynjuar Thomas.

MICHELLE THOMAS' PARENTS GRIEF-STRICKEN

On December 22, 1998, the world was shocked by the news that the talented young actress so many had come to love in the hit comedies "The Cosby Show" and "Family Matters" had succumbed to stomach cancer.

Michelle was only 30 years old, and by her side was her grief-stricken mother Phynjuar, and her father Dennis Thomas. is the saxophonist, musical director and founding members of the famous R&B band, Kool & The Gang.

MICHELLE THOMAS' TALENT A LOSS TO SHOWBIZ

Despite her famous father's fame and influence, Michelle was discreet about the connection between them and made her mark on the entertainment industry on her own merits, and her considerable talent.

When the end drew near, Warner flew from Los Angeles to New York to be by her side.

RARE CANCER AFFLICTED MICHELLE THOMAS

Michelle had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Intra-abdominal Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor and was operated on to remove a lemon-sized growth from her stomach shortly before she joined the cast of "The Young and the Restless" as Callie Rogers Stark. It was to be her lost role.

MICHELLE THOMAS' VALIANT FIGHT FOR LIFE

Michelle's mother Phynjuar revealed that up until the day she died, Michelle had fought for her life, cheerfully hanging Christmas decorations in her hospital room.

“Michelle was sitting up laughing and talking. She was walking around the ward. She was planning on being home for Christmas morning. The next day it was all downhill. She went incredibly fast,” Phynjuar said.

Close friends and family of the young actress gathered by her bedside when it became apparent that the end was near.

Michelle Thomas passed away surrounded by beloved faces, and to this day her mother, father and her friends still remember and mourn her loss.

THE LOVE OF MICHELLE THOMAS' LIFE WAS BY HER SIDE

Among those gathered in New York at Michelle Thomas's deathbed was Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who had played her boyfriend, Theo Huxtable, on "The Cosby Show."

Real life followed fiction and the two young actors fell in love and were in a 10-year-long relationship up until 1994.

When the end drew near, Warner flew from Los Angeles to New York to be by her side. Michelle's mother described Warner as the love of Michelle's life, and the actor often posts tributes to his lost love.