He acted on Broadway theatre in Hair and played Peter in the 1973 film version of Jesus Christ Superstar. He signed with the William Morris Agency and went to Hollywood, where he appeared in several television shows. At this point, he appeared ready to start a career in mainstream television and movie work, but instead he turned to the career for which he would become more famous.
Toubus started working in pornography in 1974. He met the porn producers the Mitchell Brothers while playing in a musical in San Francisco. He performed in several porn loops for them and, in 1976, appeared in his first porn feature, The Autobiography of a Flea.
Toubus performed mostly using the stage name "Paul Thomas", but he has also appeared under several other names. In 1982 Toubus was arrested for smuggling cocaine into the United States from South America. Convicted, he served one year in jail. Following his release from prison, Toubus resumed his career and, in 1983, won the Adult Film Association of America Award for Best Actor in Virginia. He had a starring role in the 1985 film series Taboo American Style.
Toubus started directing porn films in 1985, and has directed for Vivid Entertainment since 1986. As of 2007 Toubus—as Paul Thomas—has acted in over 500 films and directed nearly 300 films, winning seven Adult Video News Awards and two X-Rated Critics Organization Awards for best Director. He was inducted into the X-Rated Critics Organization Hall of Fame in 1986.