Mikal Ford was an actor and comedian from Los Angeles known for his role as Thomas ‘Tommy’ Strawn in the sitcom Martin, which originally aired from 1992 until 1997.
He played many roles in movies, which include Mel Parker in the sitcom The Parkers from 1999 until 2001 and Lt. Malcolm Barker on New York Undercover.
Net worth
Mikal’s ingenuity in acting and comedy gained him fans over the decades, as his role as Tommy Strawn was one of the best roles in which Mikal used his creative imagination and acting style to impress the audience and provide laughter.
Due to his several roles as a comedy actor over the years, Mikal Ford garnered a respectable amount of wealth since he started in 1985. He received an NAACP Image Awards nomination in 1996 as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Aside from this, Mikal wrote books for children titled Positive Attitude, and I Am Responsible for Me. It is fair to say that he has amassed his fair share of wealth.
Mikal was estimated to have a net worth of $2 million before his death.
Profile Summary
Net Worth | $2 million |
Name | Thomas Mikal Ford |
Aged | 52 |
Date of Birth | September 5, 1964 |
Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Comedic Actor |
Ex-Wife | Gina Sasso |
Girlfriend | Viviane Brazil. |
Children | Madison Ford Thomas Ford |
Height | 6’4″ 1.93m 193cm |
Weight | 95kg 209lbs |
Early Life
Mikal Ford came into the world as Thomas Mikal Ford in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on September 5, 1964, and was raised in Long Beach, California.
“Growing up, Ford’s parents held distinct occupations—his mother served as a school secretary, while his father worked as a pipe-fitter. Initially drawn to becoming a preacher during his childhood, Ford’s interests shifted when he immersed himself in drama classes and engaged in high school performances.
This experience led him to redirect his ambitions toward pursuing a career in acting. Following completing his Associate of Arts degree at Long Beach City College in 1985, Ford transitioned to the University of Southern California (USC). He successfully earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting from USC, marking a pivotal step in his journey toward an acting career.”
Professional Career
Portraying the character Tommy Strawn in the show Martin, Ford received a nomination for the NAACP Image Awards in 1996 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
After Martin concluded, Ford found success in the detective drama New York Undercover, where he played Lieutenant Malcolm Barker. He also appeared in The Parkers as Mel Parker, Nikki’s ex-husband and Kim’s father, across seven episodes. Additionally, he portrayed Ben Cummings in The Power of Passion, gaining recognition as “The Pope of Comedy” while serving as a judge on TV One’s Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes?
Film and Theatre Involvement
Ford took on various film roles, such as Mink in Class Act and Tommy Smalls in Harlem Nights. In 1997, he portrayed Detective Siegel in the crime drama Against the Law. He also directed and produced the play South of Where We Live, highlighting prevalent social issues among African-American professionals. Concurrently, he directed Jonin’, a comedy centered on fraternity life at a historically black college in Washington, D.C.
Community Contributions
Ford co-hosted the Texas Gospel Music Awards in 1993 and established a nonprofit organization, Be Still and Know, in 1998 to foster improved communities for young people.
Documentary & Advocacy
Aside from acting and community work, Ford authored two inspirational children’s books and actively visited schools to inspire children, emphasizing the importance of responsibility.
In June 2016, before his passing four months later, Ford directed a documentary addressing bullying titled Through My Lens Atl, aired in October 2016 on Aspire TV.
Personal Life
Ford was married to Gina Sasso from 1997 to 2014, and they had two children: a daughter named Madison Ford and a son Thomas Ford.
Around 2001, he relocated from Los Angeles to Kendall, Florida.
In 2015, Ford moved to Atlanta and began living with his girlfriend, Viviane Brazil. Sadly, on October 12, 2016, he passed away due to a ruptured abdominal aneurysm at a hospital in the Atlanta region at the age of 52.
Physical Appearance
Mikal was an American comedy actor with an African heritage. He had dark hair and black eyes. Standing at an impressive height of 6’4″ (1.93 meters), he weighed 95 kilograms (209 pounds).