Paul Thomas, an AVN Hall of Fame filmmaker and actor, passed away on June 10, 2025, in Los Angeles at the age of 76. Thomas, known professionally as Paul Thomas and to friends and colleagues as P.T., was widely regarded as one of the most significant adult movie directors.

Early Life and Mainstream Career

Born Philip Charles Toubus on April 17, 1949, in Winnetka, Illinois, Thomas grew up in an upper-middle-class family. His father was of Greek-Jewish descent, and his mother was of Russian-Jewish descent. The family later moved to Glencoe, Illinois, where he attended Central School, graduating 8th grade in 1963, and then New Trier Township High School, graduating in 1967.

Before his career in adult entertainment, Thomas was a basketball player. He claimed to have attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison on a basketball scholarship, studying political science. He transitioned to acting, beginning his career in the original production of the musical "Hair" in the late 1960s. He also appeared in a Broadway production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and played all male roles except Peter in a touring production of the musical. Norman Jewison cast him as Peter in the 1973 film adaptation of "Jesus Christ Superstar." Thomas also performed in the musical "Beach Blanket Babylon."

Entry into Adult Entertainment and Acting Career

Thomas entered the adult industry at 24 years old, shortly after his mainstream acting work. He began as a performer, initially working with the Mitchell Brothers in San Francisco. Between 1974 and 1986, he starred in nearly 900 adult films. He was inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame in 1986 and the AVN Hall of Fame as a performer in 1990.

Directing Career and Industry Impact

Thomas transitioned to directing in 1985, helming nearly 400 films for companies including Hustler, Metro, Dorcel, Fantasy Home Video, Las Vegas Video, Western Visuals, New Sensations, and Coast to Coast. He spent nearly 25 years directing for Vivid Entertainment, where he championed storytelling and played a key role in establishing the studio's early success and defining its brand and identity. Steven Hirsch, co-founder and CEO of Vivid, stated that P.T. was an integral part of the studio’s early and later success, emphasizing Thomas's belief in storyline over all-sex movies.

Thomas became one of the most decorated filmmakers in X-rated history during his time at Vivid. He won the AVN Award for Best Film or Best Director 12 times, with five of these awards in the 2000s alone. He was named XRCO Director of the Year in 1994 and 2000 and was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame as a director in 1991.

His career highlights as a director include "Beauty & the Beast 2" (1990), "Twisted" (1991), "Justine" (1994), "Bad Wives" (1997), "Bobby Sox" (1997), "Fade to Black" (2002), "Heart of Darkness" (2004), "Key Party" (2005), "The Masseuse" (2005), "The New Devil in Miss Jones" (2006), and "Layout" (2008). In 2007, Thomas's name was enshrined on the Hustler Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.

Thomas retired from the adult industry in 2012, a few years after stepping away from directing for Vivid Entertainment Group. He was married to Judy Epstein and resided in Los Angeles, California.

Key Facts

  • Paul Thomas, born Philip Charles Toubus, passed away on June 10, 2025, at age 76.
  • He was an AVN Hall of Fame filmmaker and actor, also a member of the XRCO Hall of Fame.
  • Thomas directed nearly 400 adult films and starred in nearly 900 adult films.
  • He spent nearly 25 years directing for Vivid Entertainment, winning 12 AVN Awards for Best Film or Best Director.
  • Prior to adult entertainment, he was an actor, appearing in "Hair," "Jesus Christ Superstar" (stage and film), and "Beach Blanket Babylon."
  • His name was enshrined on the Hustler Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.