Lou Diamond Phillips
Husband Dad Actor Writer Director Foodie
Actor · Writer · Director
A career built on character.
For nearly four decades, Lou Diamond Phillips has moved effortlessly between film, television and theatre, bringing intelligence, intensity and humanity to every performance.
His breakthrough portrayal of Ritchie Valens in La Bamba introduced him to audiences around the world. Acclaimed roles in Stand and Deliver, Young Guns and The King and I followed, beginning a body of work that continues to evolve across drama, comedy, voice performance, writing and directing.
Selected career highlights
Career highlights.
From a career-defining breakthrough to acclaimed work across film, television and Broadway, these performances reflect the remarkable range of Lou Diamond Phillips.
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Ritchie Valens
La Bamba
The breakthrough performance that introduced Lou Diamond Phillips to audiences around the world.
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Angel Guzman
Stand and Deliver
An acclaimed dramatic performance recognised with an Independent Spirit Award and Golden Globe nomination.
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José Chávez y Chávez
Young Guns
One of Lou’s most recognisable performances in the enduring ensemble Western.
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The King of Siam
The King and I
A celebrated Broadway performance that earned Lou a Tony Award nomination.
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Colonel David Telford
Stargate Universe
A memorable science-fiction role as the complex and commanding Colonel David Telford.
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Henry Standing Bear
Longmire
A defining television role across six seasons of the acclaimed contemporary Western drama.
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The story continues.
New performances, conversations and appearances from a career that continues to evolve.
![Lou Diamond Phillips in Count on My Lies](https://www.loudiamondphillips.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/count-on-my-lies1.jpg")
Interviews, photography & stories
From the archive.
Rediscovered interviews, photographs and features from across Lou’s career, bringing memorable moments from the past back into view.
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Identity, heritage and using his voice
Lou discusses the story behind his name, his heritage and the causes that mattered to him.
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1990s publicity photography
Publicity portraits, promotional photography and studio images from one of the most recognisable decades of Lou’s career.
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A Diamond is their ace in the hole
Away from the film set, Lou talks about singing, songwriting and performing live with The Pipefitters.
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Behind The Big Hit
Lou reflects on playing Cisco, the film’s offbeat combination of action and comedy, and working with its memorable ensemble.
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