Lou Diamond Phillips

Born Louis Diamond Upchurch on February 17, 1962, at the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines, Lou Diamond Phillips later adopted his stepfather’s surname. He was raised in Texas and graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 1980, continuing his education at the University of Texas at Arlington where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama. Phillips achieved his breakthrough role in 1987, starring as Ritchie Valens in the biographical drama film “La Bamba.” This performance established him in the industry, leading to a varied career that included significant roles in film, television, and theatre. A notable early achievement was his performance as Angel David Guzman in “Stand and Deliver” (1988), for which he received an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and a Golden Globe Award nomination.

Throughout the 1990s, Phillips continued to expand his acting credits, reprising his role as José Chávez y Chávez in “Young Guns II” (1990) and making his Broadway debut in 1996 as the King in “The King and I.” His stage performance earned him a Tony Award nomination and a Theatre World Award, highlighting his versatility. In television, he took on roles such as FBI agent Ian Edgerton in “Numbers” (2005–2010), Colonel Telford in “Stargate Universe” (2009–2011), and Henry Standing Bear in “Longmire” (2012–2017). His career also includes directing episodes of television series such as “The Twilight Zone” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” along with writing several screenplays and a debut novel.

Beyond his acting and directing work, Phillips has engaged in various other ventures. He won the second season of the reality series “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” in 2009 and emerged as the winner of “Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off” in 2012, raising $50,000 for charity. He has also been involved in activism, serving on the advisory council for The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and supporting Native American causes, including being adopted by an Oglala Lakota Sioux family in 1991. Phillips’ career demonstrates sustained activity and adaptation across multiple creative mediums.