Lou Diamond Phillips

Lou Diamond Phillips (né Upchurch; born February 17, 1962) is an American actor and film director. His breakthrough came when he starred as Ritchie Valens in the biographical drama film La Bamba (1987). For the Academy Award–nominated Stand and Deliver (1988), Phillips was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won an Independent Spirit Award.

Phillips made his Broadway debut with the 1996 revival of The King and I, earning a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of King Mongkut of Siam. Phillips’ other notable films include Stand and Deliver (1988), Young Guns (1988), Young Guns II (1990), Courage Under Fire (1996), The Big Hit (1998), Brokedown Palace (1999), Che (2008), and The 33 (2015). In the television series Longmire, he played a main character named Henry Standing Bear. He has played New York City Police Lieutenant Gil Arroyo on Prodigal Son since the series premiered on FOX in September 2019.

Early life

Phillips was born February 17, 1962, at the Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines, the son of Lucita Umayam Aranas and Gerald Amon Upchurch (1935–1963), a Marine KC-130 crew chief. His mother, a native of Candelaria, Zambales, is Filipina and of Southeast Asian descent. His father was an American of Scots-Irish, Welsh and English descent.

Phillips was named after the US Marine Leland “Lou” Diamond. After his father died, he changed his surname of Upchurch. He took his stepfather’s surname, Phillips, as his own.

Phillips was raised in Texas. He graduated from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi in 1980 and from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama.

Career

1980s

The first low-budget film in which he starred was called Trespasses. Phillips’ big break came with the starring role in La Bamba (1987) in which he played early rocker Ritchie Valens. Prior to his cinematic breakthrough, he starred in the Miami Vice episode “Red Tape” (March 13, 1987), portraying detective Bobby Diaz.

In 1988, Phillips co-starred with Edward James Olmos in the inner-city high school drama Stand and Deliver, in a role for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture and won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. He plays Angel David Guzman, a cholo gangster who is inspired by his math teacher, Jaime Escalante, to excel at calculus. Working to master the subject, he develops a friendship with his teacher. Stand and Deliver was filmed before La Bamba, but it was released a year later.

In 1988 Phillips co-starred with Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland in the Western film Young Guns, in which he plays Jose Chavez y Chavez, a historical Old West outlaw.

1990s

In 1990, he revisited the role of Jose Chavez y Chavez in Young Guns II.

In the mid-1990s, Phillips was a vocalist with the Los Angeles-based rock group The Pipefitters.

As early as August 25 1993, the television special Wind in the Wire starring Randy Travis first aired. Phillips, Chuck Norris, and Burt Reynolds were among the guests.

In 1996, Phillips made his Broadway debut as the King in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s The King and I. Phillips won a Theatre World Award, and was nominated for both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for his performance.

In 1998, he starred as Cisco, the counterpart of the main character Melvin Smiley (played by Mark Wahlberg) in the comedy-action movie The Big Hit.

2000s

He later featured a minor role in the TV sitcom George Lopez (2002–2004) as George Lopez’s half-brother. He also played a role in the first season of the TV series 24 as secret government agent Mark DeSalvo, opposite former Young Guns star Kiefer Sutherland. Phillips played the recurring role of FBI agent Ian Edgerton in the television series Numb3rs. Edgerton is an FBI tracker and sniper who works as an instructor at Quantico FBI Academy when he is not working a case in the field. Phillips won the second season of the NBC reality series, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, over pro wrestler Torrie Wilson. Phillips currently hosts the weekly series An Officer and a Movie on The Military Channel. This series features various theatrical World War II dramas, with discussion breaks during the film in which Phillips interviews members of the US military and intelligence communities about details of the events that inspired each film.

In 2003, he starred in a cameo role with Harrison Ford in an action-comedy film Hollywood Homicide.

On September 11, 2007, Phillips joined the touring troupe for Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot in the role of King Arthur.

Phillips had a recurring role as Colonel Telford in the Stargate Universe television series during its two-season run on the SyFy channel 2009-2011. He played the would-be commander of the Destiny expedition, who is left behind when an accident launches an unsuspecting crew into deep space. The commander works from Earth to bring the crew home, often coming into conflict with the shipborne command characters.

2010s

In January 2012, he was one of eight celebrities participating in the Food Network reality series Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. On January 29, 2012, he was announced as the winner with a Zagat score of 28 out of 30, thereby winning $50,000 for his charity.

In June 2012, Phillips began co-starring in the television series Longmire, about a modern-day sheriff played by Robert Taylor. Phillips played Henry Standing Bear, a Native American, who is Longmire’s best friend, often helping him with cases and in dealing with the reservation police who do not respect or like outsiders, especially other law enforcement.

In December 2012, he was featured in Imagine Dragons’ music video for “Radioactive”, which went on to eclipse 1 billion views on YouTube.

In February 2013, Phillips appeared as star of the comedy short film Lucy in the Sky with Diamond, playing a hyperbolized version of himself known as the elusive and mysterious LDP—a renegade, spirit guide, and life coach who attempts to help John (John Patrick Jordan) get over a particularly disconcerting ex-girlfriend. The award-winning short was written and directed by Joey Boukadakis.

In July 2014, he replaced the injured Jason Scott Lee in Opera Australia’s Melbourne production of The King and I, reprising his role as the King of Siam, playing opposite Lisa McCune as Anna Leonowens.

In 2014, he also guest-starred in The Wiggles Rock and Roll PreSchool DVD and made guest appearances on their TV program on ABC.

In 2016, Philips portrayed serial killer Richard Ramirez in The Night Stalker.

Radio

Phillips starred in four episodes of the radio series The Twilight Zone: Vol. 1, “A Kind of a Stopwatch”; Vol. 3, “The Parallel; Vol. 10, “Miniature”; and Vol. 12, “Long Live Walter Jameson”.

Writing

Phillips co-wrote the screenplay for Trespasses and HBO’s Dangerous Touch, and wrote the Miramax feature Ambition. In 2019 Aethon Books announced that it would be publishing Phillips’ debut novel, Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira, a science fiction retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story of the same name, illustrated by his wife, Yvonne.

Poker

Phillips has been a regular poker player since college. In May 2009, Phillips placed 31st of 403 entrants in the 2009 California State Poker Championship Limit Texas hold ’em. He cashed in the $10,000 July 2009 World Series of Poker World Championship No Limit main event. In a field of 6,494, he was eliminated in the phase from 407 to 185. He started the day in 114th place among the 407 and was busted on the final hand of the day finishing in 186th place and earning $36,626.

Personal life

Relationships and family

During the making of Trespasses, he met Julie Cypher, an assistant director. They married on September 17, 1987 and divorced on August 5, 1990. Cypher then announced she was a lesbian and started dating Melissa Etheridge.

On the set of the film Shadow of the Wolf (1992), he met Jennifer Tilly to whom he was briefly engaged, although the two never married. He later married Penthouse model and television extra, Kelly Phillips, with whom he has three daughters: Grace and Isabella (twins born in October 1997), and Lili born in September 1999. The couple separated in 2003, their divorce was finalized in July 2007, due to a difficult mediation. The children reside with their mother and her new live-in boyfriend.

He began dating makeup artist Yvonne Boismier in 2004. They married in August 2007 and their daughter, Indigo, was born in October 2007. They are partners on writing and illustrating Lou’s first published novel.

Legal troubles

On August 11, 2006, Phillips was arrested for disturbing the peace at his Los Angeles home following loud noises coming from the house he shared with his live-in girlfriend and future wife, Yvonne Boismier. In December 2006, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace and was sentenced to three years of probation.

On November 3, 2017, Phillips was arrested in Portland, Texas, after stopping his vehicle to ask a police officer for directions while intoxicated. He was charged with reckless driving. Phillips was released after posting bail. In April 2018, following a plea deal, Phillips was sentenced to two years of probation.

Activism

A member of The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment(CAPE) CAPE “champions diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment and media.”

Indian Country Today has reported that Phillips is part Cherokee on his father’s side. Although he is not actually Native American himself and has stated that he is not in the article cited, he has remained close to the Native American community and was adopted by an Oglala Lakota Sioux family in a traditional ceremony in 1991. His Lakota name translates to “Star Keeper”. In 1990, Phillips had organized a concert called “The Winds of Life” to benefit Native American causes.

Phillips is also a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism. In 2020, he appeared in the NoH8 LGBTQ equality campaign.

Awards and achievements

• 1989 – Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male (Stand and Deliver, 1988)
• 1989 – Golden Globe Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (Stand and Deliver, 1988)
• 1989 – Western Heritage Award Bronze Wrangler Theatrical Motion Picture (Young Guns, 1988). Shared with John Fusco (producer), Christopher Cain (producer), Charlie Sheen (actor), Emilio Estevez (actor), Kiefer Sutherland (actor)
• 1993 – Oxfam America award for his dedication toward ending world hunger
• 1994 – Houston International Film Festival Gold award for Best Theatrical Feature Film for Ultimate Revenge
• 1996 – Tony Award nominee for Best Actor on Broadway (The King And I)
• 1996 – Theater World Award: The King and I
• 1996 – New York Outer Critics Circle: Outstanding Broadway Debut Award of an Actor, The King & I
• 1997 – Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor – Adventure/Drama (Courage Under Fire, 1996)
• 1997 – Lone Star Film & Television Award for Best Supporting Actor (Courage Under Fire, 1996)
• 2001 – Filipinas magazine “Achievement award for Entertainment”
• 2003 – Cinemanila Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award (Philippines)
• 2005 – Asia Pacific Islander Heritage Award for Excellence in Entertainment and Arts
• 2009 – I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!: King of the Jungle
• 2012 – Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off: Winner

Filmography

Television and film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1984	Time Bomb	Terrorist	TV movie, uncredited
1984	Interface	Punk #1
1985	Dallas	Sidewalk Thug	Episode: “Rock Bottom”
1986	Trespasses	The Drifters
1987	La Bamba	Ritchie Valens
1987	The Three Kings	Tag	TV movie
1987	Miami Vice	Detective Bobby Diaz	Episode: “Red Tape”
1988	Dakota	John Dakota
1988	Stand and Deliver	Angel David Guzman	Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
1988	Young Guns	Jose Chavez y Chavez
1989	Disorganized Crime	Ray Forgy
1989	Renegades	Hank Storm
1990	Arduous Moon	Bob	Short film
1990	Young Guns II	Jose Chavez y Chavez
1990	A Show of Force	Jesus Fuentes
1990	The First Power	Russell Logan
1990	Demon Wind	Demon	Cameo; uncredited
1991	The Dark Wind	Officer Jim Chee
1991	General Motors Playwrights Theater	Clash	Episode: “Avenue Z Afternoon”
1991	Ambition	Mitchell Osgood	Also writer
1991	Sesame Street	Guest	TV series; season 22; 1 episode
1992	Shadow of the Wolf	Agaguk
1993	Extreme Justice	Detective Jeff Powers
1993	Tales from The Crypt	Jerry	Episode: “Oil’s Well That Ends Well”
1993	The Untold West	Narrator	Episode: “Outlaws, Rebels and Rogues”
1994	Dangerous Touch	Mick Burroughs
1994	Sioux City	Jesse Rainfeather Goldman
1994	Teresa’s Tattoo	Wheeler
1994	Boulevard	Hassan
1994	Override	Cal	TV short
1995	The Wharf Rat	Petey Martin	TV movie
1996	Courage Under Fire	Staff Sergeant John Monfriez	Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor – Adventure/Drama
1996	Undertow	Jack Ketchum	TV movie
1997	Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child	Coatl	Episode: “The Shoemaker and the Elves”
1998	The Big Hit	Cisco
1998	Another Day in Paradise	Jewels	Uncredited
1998	Spin City	Nate	Episode: “An Officer and a Gentleman”
1998	The Outer Limits	Captain Cotter McCoy	Episode: “Identity Crisis”
1998	Adventures from the Book of Virtues	Martín	Episode: “Charity”
1999	Brokedown Palace	Roy Knox
1999	Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War	Emilio Aguinaldo (voice)	Television documentary film
1999	In a Class of His Own	Ricardo ‘Rich’ Donato	TV movie
1999	Bats	Sheriff Emmett Kimsey
2000	Picking Up the Pieces	Officer Alfonso
2000	Supernova	Yerzy Penalosa
2000	A Better Way to Die	William Dexter
2001	Knight Club	Dirk Gueron
2001	Route 666	Jack La Roca
2001	Hangman	Detective Nick Roos	TV movie
2001–2002	Wolf Lake	John Kanin / Noah Cassidy	10 episodes
2001	Night Visions	Tom Fallor	Episode: “Dead Air/Renovation”
2002	24	Mark DeSalvo	2 episodes
2002	Lone Hero	Bart
2002	Stark Raving Mad	Gregory
2002	The Twilight Zone	Ritchie Almares	Episode: “The Pool Guy”; Also directed “Into the Light”
2002	Malevolent	Jack Lucas
2002	Resurrection Blvd.	Harry Tran	2 episodes
2003	Hollywood Homicide	Wanda
2003	Absolon	Agent Walters
2003	George Lopez	George Lopez	Recurring, 2 episodes
2003	Red Water	John Sanders	TV movie
2003	K10C: Kids’ Ten Commandments	Natha (voice)	TV short
2003	The Handler	Andy Torres	Episode: “Jar of Spiders”
2004	The Trail to Hope Rose	Keenan Deerfield	TV movie
2005	Gone, But Not Forgotten	Alan Page	TV movie
2005	Murder at the Presidio	CWO James Chandler	TV movie
2005	Jack & Bobby	Juan Roberto Alba	Episode: “Legacy”
2005	Alien Express	Vic Holden	TV movie
2005–2010	Numb3rs	Agent Ian Edgerton	Recurring, 9 episodes
2005	The Triangle	Meeno Paloma	TV mini-series, 3 episodes
2006	Striking Range	Eugene “Vash” Vasher
2006	Aquaman	Tom Curry	TV short
2006	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Victor Paul Gitano	Episode: “Fault”
2006	El Cortez	Manny DeSilva
2006	Fingerprints	Doug
2007	Psych	Special Agent Lars Ewing	Episode: “Psy vs. Psy”
2007	Termination Point	Dr. Daniel Winter	TV movie
2008	Che: Part Two	Mario Monje
2008	Death Toll	Mayor Padial
2008	Never Forget	Frank Hill
2008	Lone Rider	Bobby Hattaway	TV movie
2009	The Beast	Capone	Episode: “Capone”
2009	Love Takes Wing	Ray Russell	TV movie
2009	Angel and the Badman	Quirt Evans	TV movie
2009	Carny	Atlas	TV movie
2009–2011	Stargate Universe	Colonel David Telford	Recurring, 20 episodes
2010	The Invited	Garrett
2010	American Dad!	Rusty (voice)	Episode: “There Will Be Bad Blood”
2010	Transparency	David
2011	Chuck	Augusto Gaez	Episode: “Chuck Versus the Cat Squad”
2011	Cougar Town	Himself	Episode: “Free Fallin'”
2011	Happily Divorced	David	Episode: “A Kiss Is Just a Kiss”
2011	Metal Tornado	Michael Edwards	TV movie
2011	Criminal Behaviour	Lt. Henry Enriquez	TV movie
2012	Filly Brown	Jose Tonorio
2012–2017	Longmire	Henry Standing Bear	6 seasons, 53 episodes
2012	Southland	Officer Danny Ferguson	2 episodes
2012	The Aquabats! Super Show!	The Spirit of the Sun	Episode: “Eagle Claw!”
2013	Sanitarium	James Silo
2013	Ironside	Stuart White	Episode: “Hidden Agenda”
2014	Sequoia	Colin
2014	The Wisdom to Know the Difference	Carlos
2014	Hell’s Kitchen	Himself	VIP guest diner; Season 13 Episode 12: “7 Chefs Compete”
2015	The 33	Luis “Don Lucho” Urzúa
2015	Sky	Duane
2015	Another Period	Yengundo	Episode: “Funeral”
2015, 2020	Blindspot	Saúl Guerrero	3 episodes
2016	The Night Stalker	Richard Ramirez	TV movie
2016–2020	Elena of Avalor	Victor Delgado (voice)	15 episodes
2017	Hawaii Five-0	Deputy Marshall Wes Lincoln	Episode: “Ka Laina Ma Ke One”
2017	Training Day	Thurman Ballesteros	Episode: “Sunset”
2017	The Ranch	Clint, a traveling musician	3 episodes (Part 3)
2017	You’re the Worst	Himself	Episode: “Dad-Not-Dad”
2017	Brooklyn Nine-Nine	Jeff Romero	Recurring role
2017	Graves		Episode: “They Die Happier”
2017	Cop and a Half: New Recruit	Detective Simmons
2017	Avenge the Crows	Casper
2018	Criminal Minds	Sheriff Clifford Mason	Episode: “Submerged”
2018	Urban Country	Warden Tono
2018	NCIS: New Orleans	Deputy Chief Gossett	2 episodes
2018	Goliath	Oscar Suarez	2 episodes
2018–2020	Blue Bloods	Luis Delgado	4 episodes
2018	Fear the Walking Dead	Director	Episode: MM 54
2019	Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.		Directed “The Other Thing”
2019	The Lion Guard	Surak (voice)	7 episodes
2019	Big Kill	Johnny Kane	Netflix movie
2019–present	Prodigal Son	Gil Arroyo	Main role, also directed episode: “Face Value”
2020	Family Guy	Narragansett Tribe Leader (voice)	Episode: “Pawtucket Pat”
2020	The George Lucas Talk Show	Himself	Episode: “THX-2021”

Music videos

Year	Title	Artist
2012	“Radioactive”	Imagine Dragons
1987	“La Bamba”	Los Lobos