Early life

Phillips was born at the Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines, the son of Lucita Umayam Arañas and Gerald Amon Upchurch, a crew chief on a C-130 in the United States Marine Corps. His father was an American of Scots-Irish and one-quarter Cherokee descent, and his mother, a native of Candelaria, Zambales, is Filipina, with distant Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, and Spanish ancestry.

Phillips was named after Marine legend Leland "Lou" Diamond. After his father died, he took his stepfather's surname "Phillips" as his own.

He was raised in Texas, where he attended Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, graduating in 1980. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BFA in Drama.

Career

The first low-budget film in which he starred was called Trespasses. Phillips' big break came with the starring role in 1987's La Bamba, in which he played early rocker Ritchie Valens. Prior to his cinematic breakthrough, he starred in the Miami Vice episode "Red Tape" (13 Mar 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 a Golden Globe Award for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture". He plays Angel 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 and 1990, Phillips co-starred with Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland in the Western films Young Guns and Young Guns II, in which he plays Jose Chavez y Chavez, a historical Old West outlaw.

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

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.

He later featured a minor role in the TV sitcom George Lopez (2002-2004) as George Lopez's half-brother.

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".

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

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. Lou 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.

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.

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 placed in the money at the $10,000 July 2009 World Series of Poker World Championship No Limit main event. He was eliminated as the original field of 6,494 was trimmed from 407 to 185. He entered the day in 114th place among the 407 and was eliminated on the final hand of the day finishing in 186th place and earning $36,626.

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, winning $50,000 for his charity.

In June 2012, Philips began co-starring in Longmire, about a modern-day sheriff played by Robert Taylor. Phillips plays Henry Standing Bear, a Native American, who is Longmire's good 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".

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 makes guest appearances on their TV program on ABC.

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. Julie then announced she was a lesbian and became a partner to Melissa Etheridge.

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 had three daughters: Grace Moorea and Isabella Patricia (twins born on October 5, 1997), and Lili Jordan born September 1999. They all reside with their mother. The two separated in 2004. Their divorce was finalized in July 2007.

He began dating makeup artist Yvonne Boismier in 2004. They married in August 2007. Their daughter, Indigo Sanara Phillips, was born in October 2007.

Arrest

On August 11, 2006, he was arrested for domestic violence at his Los Angeles home following a dispute with his live-in girlfriend and future wife, makeup artist Yvonne Boismier. In December 2006, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of domestic battery and was sentenced to three years of probation. He also was ordered to undergo one year of domestic violence counseling and to serve 200 hours of community service.

Activism

Phillips has been an outspoken advocate of the Filipino Equity Act, legislation to extend the same benefits to World War II veterans from the Philippines as have been available to U.S. World War II veterans.

He is also a supporter of the Thoughtful House Center for Children, founded by Andrew Wakefield.

Phillips is very close to the Native American community. In 1990, he was adopted by the Sioux tribe, although he is Cherokee by blood. "Star Keeper" is his Sioux name. That year, he also organized a concert, The Winds of Life, to benefit Native American causes.

Awards and achievements

• 1989 - Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male (Stand and Deliver, 1988)
• 1989 - Golden Globe Award nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a 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

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1984	Time Bomb	Terrorist	TV movie, uncredited
1984	Interface	Punk #1
1985	Dallas	Sidewalk Thug	TV series; season 9. 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	TV series; season 3; episode: "Red Tape"
1988	Dakota	John Dakota
1988	Stand and Deliver	Angel Guzman	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
1991	The Dark Wind	Officer Jim Chee
1991	The General Motors Playwrights Theater	Clash	TV series; season 2; episode: "Avenue Z Afternoon"
1991	Ambition	Mitchell Osgood
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	TV series; season 5; episode: "Oil's Well That Ends Well"
1993	The Untold West	Narrator	TV series; season 1; 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	TV series; season 2; episode: "The Shoemaker and the Elves"
1998	The Big Hit	Cisco
1998	Another Day in Paradise	Jewels	Uncredited
1998	Spin City	Nate	TV series; Season 3; Episode: "An Officer and a Gentleman"
1998	The Outer Limits	Captain Cotter McCoy	TV series; season 4; episode: "Identity Crisis"
1998	Adventures from the Book of Virtues	Martín	TV series; season 2; episode: "Charity"
1999	Brokedown Palace	Roy Knox
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	TV series; 1 season; 10 episodes
2001	Night Visions	Tom Fallor	TV series; 1 season; episode: "Dead Air/Renovation"
2002	24	Mark DeSalvo	TV series; season 1; 2 episodes
2002	Lone Hero	Bart
2002	Stark Raving Mad	Gregory
2002	The Twilight Zone	Ritchie Almares	TV revival; 1 season; episode: "The Pool Guy"
2002	Malevolent	Jack Lucas
2002	Resurrection Blvd.	Harry Tran	TV series; season 3; 2 episodes
2003	Hollywood Homicide	Wanda
2003	Absolon	Agent Walters
2003	George Lopez	George Lopez	TV series; 2 episodes; recurring
2003	Red Water	John Sanders	TV movie
2003	K10C: Kids' Ten Commandments	Natha	TV short, voice
2003	The Handler	Andy Torres	TV series; 1 season; 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	TV series; 1 season; episode: "Legacy"
2005	Alien Express	Vic Holden	TV movie
2005-2010	Numb3rs	Agent Ian Edgerton	TV series; 9 episodes; Recurring
2005	The Triangle	Meeno Paloma	TV miniseries; 1 season; 3 episodes
2006	Striking Range	Eugene "Vash" Vasher
2006	Aquaman	Tom Curry	TV short
2006	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Victor Paul Gitano	TV series; season 7; episode: "Fault"
2006	El Cortez	Manny DeSilva
2006	Fingerprints	Doug
2007	Psych	Special Agent Lars Ewing	TV series; season 2; 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	TV series; 1 season; 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	TV series; 20 episodes; recurring
2010	The Invited	Garrett
2010	American Dad!	Rusty	TV series; season 7; episode: "There Will Be Bad Blood"; boice
2010	Transparency	David
2011	Chuck	Augusto Gaez	TV series; season 4; episode: "Chuck Versus the Cat Squad"
2011	Cougar Town	Himself	TV series; season 2; episode: "Free Fallin'"
2011	Happily Divorced	David	TV series; season 1; 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
2012-2015	Longmire	Henry Standing Bear	TV series; 43 episodes
2012	Southland	Officer Danny Ferguson	TV series; season 4; 2 episodes
2012	The Aquabats! Super Show!	The Spirit of the Sun	TV series; season 1; episode: "Eagle Claw!"
2013	Sanitarium	James Silo
2013	Ironside	Stuart White	TV series; 1 season; episode: "Hidden Agenda"
2014	Sequoia	Colin
2014	The Wisdom to Know the Difference	Carlos
2015	The 33	Luis "Don Lucho" Urzúa
2015	Sky	Duane
2015	Another Period	Yengundo	TV series; 1 season; episode: "Funeral"
2015	Blindspot	Saúl Guerrero	TV series; 1 season; 2 episodes

Charities

Lou Diamond Phillips supports the following charitable causes: AIDS, Education.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]