He plays with the group, "The Pipefitters with Lou Diamond Phillips".
Is named for Gunnery Sergeant Lou Diamond, USMC.
Has been criticized for portraying Native American roles since he is only 1/8 Cherokee.
Was considered for the role of Agent John Dogget on "The X Files" (1993).
First wife, Julie Cypher, left him for rocker Melissa Etheridge.
Is of Spanish, Scottish/Irish, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Cherokee ancestry.
Alumnus of University of Texas at Arlington
Graduated from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Has 3 daughters with wife Kelly Phillips: twins Grace and Isabella (born 5 October 1997) and Lili Jordan (born 26 September 1999).
Was nominated for Broadway's 1996 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for playing one of the title roles, the King, in a revival of "The King and I."
Lou Diamond Phillips has established himself as one of today's most versatile actors by performing in numerous theatre, television and film productions. Phillips' role in BATS gives the Corpus Christi, Texas native the opportunity for the first time in his career to play a Texan. He feels the film, which is set in his home state, "fills out the map in the great journey of my career because I started out doing films in Texas." In addition to BATS, Phillips has three films coming out: PICKING UP THE PIECES directed by Alfonso Arau and starring Woody Allen and Sharon Stone; SUPERNOVA with Angela Basett and James Spader; and director Robert Munic's IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN. Most recently, Phillips appeared in BROKEDOWN PALACE with Claire Danes, ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE with James Woods and THE BIG HIT with Mark Wahlberg. Phillips first came to the public's attention when he starred as Richie Valens in LA BAMBA. He solidified his reputation in STAND AND DELIVER for which he won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His role in Ed Zwick's military drama, COURAGE UNDER FIRE opposite Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington won him rave reviews. That same year, Phillips fulfilled a life-long dream when he starred in the title role of a new Broadway production of the classic Roger & Hammerstein musical, THE KING & I. The musical garnered six Tony nominations, including a Best Actor nomination for Phillips. Phillips made his directorial debut with the psychological thriller DANGEROUS TOUCH that he starred in and co-wrote. He also directed and starred in the highly acclaimed SIOUX CITY, the story of a Native American adopted and raised by Jewish parents. He also wrote and starred in the film AMBITION. He started acting in the sixth grade and graduated from the Drama Department of the University of Texas at Arlington. Phillips lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children.
