More Than a Movie Critic: The Inspiring Story of FOX 2’s Lee Thomas

For over two decades, Detroit viewers have turned to FOX 2’s Lee Thomas for the inside scoop on Hollywood. He’s the Emmy Award-winning anchor, entertainment reporter, and sharp-witted movie critic behind the popular segment CriticLee Speaking.

But Lee Thomas is far more than a voice on the screen; he’s an author and a powerful motivational speaker whose own life story has become his greatest, most impactful feature.

His journey from a rising young Black broadcaster in New York City to a celebrated anchor in Detroit—all while battling a visible, life-altering autoimmune disease—is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the true meaning of being “Made in Michigan.”

The Journalist’s Early Act: From Teen News to the Kentucky Derby

Lee Thomas’s career is a roadmap of major media markets. Before becoming a household name in Detroit, he built an impressive resume that proves his dedication to entertainment and feature reporting.

His early days began with a unique, national platform:

• Channel One News: Thomas started as a New York-based correspondent for this nationally syndicated teen news program. It was a high-stakes, fast-paced proving ground.

• Big Stories, Big Stage: During this time, he covered major events like the Academy Awards (Oscars) and even conducted a live interview with astronauts on the International Space Station. He was also on the ground in Los Angeles covering the riots in the early 90s, showcasing his range as a reporter.

• Louisville Tonight Live: A brief but key stop in Louisville, Kentucky, saw him sharpen his skills on one of the country’s last “pm magazine style” entertainment shows.⁵ He covered regional gems like the Kentucky Derby and Nashville’s Fan Fair.

Landing in the Big Apple

His talent quickly earned him a spot at WABC-TV, the flagship ABC affiliate in New York City. As the entertainment and feature reporter, he was immersed in A-list culture, covering everything from the Grammys to the Tonys and interviewing legends like Paul Newman and Christie Brinkley. This period was the peak of his early career timeline, setting the stage for his next big move.

Detroit: The Anchor, The Critic, and The Connoisseur

Using his extensive network and experience, Thomas eventually moved from his New York reporter position to WJBK FOX 2 Detroit, where he transitioned to a weekend anchor role while continuing his signature entertainment coverage.

He has been a staple at FOX 2 for over 20 years.

• CriticLee Speaking: This beloved weekly movie review show is where Thomas combines his deep knowledge of cinema with his conversational, accessible style. It’s an essential guide for Detroit moviegoers.

• The Foxbeat: His entertainment segment, running on Fox 2 News Morning and the daytime talk show The Nine, brings the glamour of “MI Hollywood” right to Michigan.

“I always say, I may not have been born here but like the best cars in the world I was ‘made in Michigan’.” – Lee Thomas

He credits the people of Detroit for their genuine acceptance, which, as he reveals, became incredibly important later in his life.

‘Turning White’: The Memoir of Resilience

In the midst of his skyrocketing career, Lee Thomas faced a private, then very public, challenge: a diagnosis of vitiligo. This autoimmune disease destroys the skin’s pigment, causing it to lose its color.

For a Black television broadcaster, whose image is central to their profession, this diagnosis could have been a career-ending disaster. But for Thomas, it became his most defining and rewarding story.

• The Journey: He began to document his experience in personal journals, which eventually became his bestselling memoir, Turning White: A Memoir of Change.

• A New Platform: The book, released in 2007, brought his story global attention, leading to interviews on shows like Larry King Live and 20/20.

• The Lesson: Thomas turned a perceived “show stopper” into his biggest blessing, using his visibility to become an international spokesperson for vitiligo awareness. His TED Talk on the subject has garnered millions of views.

He is not just an entertainment expert; he is a beacon of courage, proving that authenticity and vulnerability are powerful assets in media and life. His work now heavily focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), leveraging his experience to inspire organizations worldwide with his DiversLee Applied Empathy Workshop.

Keywords for Search Visibility: Is Lee Thomas still on FOX 2? Yes, he continues to be a main entertainment fixture.

Achievements and Personal Insights

Lee Thomas’s impact is formally recognized by his peers and the industry.

The Man Behind the Mic

While Thomas is known for his openness about his health journey, he maintains a high level of privacy regarding his personal life.

• Lee Thomas Age and Zodiac Sign: Born on September 15, 1967, he is a Virgo. As of 2025, he is 58 years old.

• Ethnicity and Nationality: He is a Black American (African-American) who chronicled his change in appearance due to vitiligo. He is a United States National.

• Family Life: He keeps details about his Lee Thomas Wife and children (if any) very private. Public searches regarding, “Is Lee Thomas on Channel 2 married?” do not yield specific, verifiable details. He focuses his public narrative on his career and advocacy.

• Lee Thomas Net Worth and Salary: As an award-winning anchor and in-demand corporate speaker (with an on-site fee often $3k+), his net worth is an estimated but undisclosed figure reflecting over 20 years in major markets and a successful memoir/speaking career.

Legacy and What’s Next

Lee Thomas’s career is a compelling blend of celebrity insight and personal storytelling. He established himself as an insightful feature reporter who could handle a celebrity interview and a hard news story with equal skill. The challenges of vitiligo only amplified his unique voice, transforming him from a successful local anchor into a figure of national inspiration.

The Future: As Thomas continues his work with CriticLee Speaking and his entertainment segments, his most significant contribution remains his dedication to DEI and applied empathy. By sharing his vulnerability, he offers a blueprint for embracing change and owning one’s unique story, regardless of what the camera or the world reflects back.

Would you like me to find a recent segment of CriticLee Speaking or a clip from his TED Talk on vitiligo?

Sources & Suggested Links

• Lee Thomas’s official FOX 2 Detroit biography.

• Turning White: A Memoir of Change by Lee Thomas (Momentum Books, 2007).

• TED Talk/eSpeakers Profile (for speaking fees/DEI work).

• WABC-TV Eyewitness News Archives (for NYC career context).

• Channel One News historical archives.

• CriticLee Speaking segment archives.