Possessing a "smooth and silky baritone" voice, Thomas enjoyed a career spanning more than 70 years, and was best known as the narrator of the television series Forensic Files.

[6][7] After his World War II army service, Thomas worked briefly as a television announcer in Mobile, Alabama, before moving to Memphis, Tennessee in 1946.

While attending college in Memphis, Thomas starred as "Uncle Pete" on the WMCT television comedy The Unhandy Handyman until 1951.

[10] In 1951, Thomas took a television job with WCBS in New York, working primarily on newscasts, but also lent his voice in announcing the radio soap opera Young Doctor Malone from the late 1950s to 1960.

[2] He was heavily involved in work with veterans, having served on the board of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation and in other similar roles.