In the television series Longmire, he played a main character named Henry Standing Bear. He played New York City Police Lieutenant Gil Arroyo on Prodigal Son on FOX from 2019 to 2021.[1]
Early life
Born Lou Diamond Upchurch on February 17, 1962, at the Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines, he is the son of Lucita Umayam Aranas and Gerald Amon Upchurch (1935–1963),[2] a MarineKC-130 crew chief.[3] His mother was Filipino. His father was an American of Scots-Irish and Cherokee descent. Phillips has said "I never claimed to be a Native actor, but I do have Native blood."[4][5][6]
After his father's death when Louis was very young, his mother remarried. The boy was adopted by his stepfather ("the only dad" he really had) and his surname was changed to Phillips.[9][10][11]
The first low-budget film in which he starred was called Trespasses. Phillips's 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 1998, he starred as Cisco, the counterpart of the main character Melvin Smiley (played by Mark Wahlberg) in the comedy-action film The Big Hit.
2000s
Phillips later had 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 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
Phillips hosted the weekly series An Officer and a Movie (2011-2013)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 June 2012, Phillips began co-starring in the television series Longmire, about a modern-day sheriff in Wyoming, played by Robert Taylor. Phillips played Henry Standing Bear, a Native American, who is a longtime friend of Longmire and has a saloon/restaurant. He often helps the sheriff with cases and in dealing with the Cheyenne reservation police. They do not respect or like non-natives, especially local, state or federal law enforcement with competing authority. (The series ran for six seasons, to 2017, and in 2024 there have been repeated calls to revive it.)
Phillips performing at an after-party for the film Filly Brown at the 2013 Miami International Film Festival
In February 2013, Phillips appeared as star of the comedy short film Lucy in the Sky with Diamond, playing a 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.[22]
In 2015, he guest-starred in The Wiggles Rock and Roll PreSchool DVD and made guest appearances on their TV program on ABC.
In 2016, Phillips portrayed serial killer Richard Ramirez in The Night Stalker.[24]
2020s
Phillips in 2024
In 2023, Phillips competed in season nine of The Masked Singer as "Mantis". After being spared by Robin Thicke ringing the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell on "WB Movie Night", he was eliminated during the "Battle of the Saved" alongside Keenan Allen as "Gargoyle". Phillips also mentioned that he did the competition for his daughter Indigo and her friend Fluffy.
That same year, he starred opposite Malcolm McDowell in the independently-produced comedy thriller film Et Tu.[25]
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. It is illustrated by his wife, Yvonne.[27]
Poker
Phillips has been a regular poker player since college.[28] In May 2009, Phillips placed 31st of 403 entrants in the 2009 California State Poker Championship LimitTexas hold 'em.[29] He cashed in the $10,000 July 2009 World Series of Poker World Championship No Limit main event.[30] 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.[31][32]
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.
After their divorce, Cypher came out as lesbian. She began a long-term relationship with Melissa Etheridge.[33]
In 1994, he married makeup artist Kelly Preston.[34] They had three daughters together but separated in 2003. Their divorce was finalized in July 2007.[35][36]
Phillips began dating makeup artist Yvonne Boismier in 2004. He was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery against her in 2006.[37] They married in August 2007 and their daughter was born in October 2007.[citation needed] They are partners in writing and illustrating Phillips's first published novel.[citation needed]
Legal troubles
On August 11, 2006, Phillips was arrested for disturbing the peace at his Los Angeles home. The charges followed loud noises coming from the house he shared with his live-in girlfriend and future wife, Yvonne Boismier.[38] In December 2006, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace and was sentenced to three years of probation.[39]
On November 3, 2017, Phillips was arrested in Portland, Texas, for DWI after stopping his vehicle to ask a police officer for directions.[40] He was charged with reckless driving. Phillips was released after posting bail.[41] In April 2018, following a plea deal, Phillips was sentenced to two years of probation.[42]
Activism
Phillips speaking at the Filipino American Library Spirit Awards and Dinner Gala in Los Angeles in October 2006
Phillips serves on the advisory council of The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, an organization that "champions diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment and media."[43] As noted above, he was born in the Philippines and he is half Filipino through his mother.
Indian Country Today has reported that Phillips is part Cherokee on his father's side.[4] He has remained close to the Native American community. In 1990, Phillips organized a concert called "The Winds of Life" to benefit Native American causes.[44]
In 1991 he was adopted by an Oglala Lakota Sioux family in a traditional ceremony.[45] His Lakota name translates to "Star Keeper".[46]
Phillips is also a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.[47] In 2020, he appeared in the NoH8LGBTQ equality campaign.[48]
^"The Return of the Native". Starweek Magazine. 1999.; no longer online, transcript at "Ritchie's Windows". Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
