Lou Diamond Phillips (born Louis Upchurch February 17, 1962 at Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines), named for Marine legend Lou Diamond, is an American actor. He has Filipino, Hawaiian, Chinese, Spanish, Scotch-Irish and eighth Cherokee Indian origins.

Biography

Phillips worked as an assistant director and instructor at the University of Texas, where he also studied Drama and Film Technique, between 1983-1986.

He is an alumnus of University of Texas at Arlington

Phillips' big break came with the starring role in 1987's La Bamba as doomed early rocker Ritchie Valens. Though the role garnered him laud from critics, he has since found it difficult to find another leading role in a big-budget Hollywood film.

The first low budget film in which he starred in was called Trespasses . During the making of this film, he met Julie Cypher, an assistant director who would later become his wife.

Credits

• 24 (2002) TV series - cameo as a warden at a government top secret underground prison, alongside Kiefer Sutherland.
• Wolf Lake (2001) TV Series
• Brokedown Palace (1999)
• The Big Hit (1998)
• Courage Under Fire (1996)
• The First Power (1990)
• Young Guns II (1990)
• Young Guns (1988)
• Stand and Deliver (1988)
• La Bamba (1987)
• Disorganized Crime

External links

• The IMDb entry on Phillips
• Lou Diamond Phillips Org