The current estimated net worth of American actor, director, writer, and producer Lou Diamond Phillips is $8 million. He is best known for his roles as Ritchie Valens in the biographical drama film La Bamba (1987), Angel Guzman in the high school drama film Stand and Deliver (1988), Jose Chavez y Chavez in the western films Young Guns (1988) and Young Guns II (1990), and Henry Standing Bear in the crime drama series Longmire (2012-2017). He is also known for his work on Broadway, where he starred as King Mongkut of Siam in the 1996 revival of The King and I, earning a Tony Award nomination. But how did Lou Diamond Phillips achieve such a high net worth? Here are some of the factors that contributed to his wealth accumulation:
Early Life and Career Beginnings
The son of Lucita Umayam Aranas and Gerald Amon Upchurch, Lou Diamond Phillips was born as Lou Diamond Upchurch in 1962 at the Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines. His mother was a Filipina, and his father was an American of Scots-Irish and Cherokee ancestry. He was given the name Leland “Lou” Diamond in honour of the Marine who fought alongside his father in World War II. He was adopted by his stepfather, a navy commander named George Edward Phillips, following the passing of his father in 1963, and adopted his last name.
Phillips grew up in Texas, where he attended Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi. He was involved in drama club productions and a local comedy troupe. He then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Phillips made his screen acting debut in 1984 with small parts in the television movie Time Bomb and the science-fiction film Interface. He also appeared in an episode of Dallas in 1985. His first major role came in 1986, when he starred as Tony Morales in the low-budget film Trespasses.
Breakthrough Roles
Phillips rose to fame in 1987 when he starred as Ritchie Valens, the rock and roll pioneer who died in a plane crash at age 17, in the biographical drama film La Bamba. On a $6.5 million budget, the movie was a critical and financial hit, earning over $54 million globally. Phillips received praise for his performance and his singing skills, as he recorded several songs for the film’s soundtrack.
The next year, Phillips co-starred with Edward James Olmos in the high school drama film Stand and Deliver, based on the true story of math teacher Jaime Escalante and his students at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Phillips played Angel Guzman, a troubled student who is inspired by Escalante to excel at calculus. On a $1.6 million budget, the movie made nearly $14 million, making it a success. Phillips won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for his performance, which was well-received by critics.
Also in 1988, Phillips co-starred with Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, and others in the western film Young Guns, based on the exploits of Billy the Kid and his gang. Phillips played Jose Chavez y Chavez, a historical Old West outlaw who was friends with Billy. Another hit, the movie made almost $45 million on a $11 million budget3. Young Guns II, a 1990 sequel that earned over $44 million on a $10 million budget, had Phillips reprising his part.
Further Film and TV Career
In the thriller Renegades, Phillips once more co-starred with Kiefer Sutherland in 1990. In the movie, Phillips played an undercover cop who collaborates with a Native American activist to expose a dishonest police officer. Only $9 million of the movie’s $22 million budget was made, making it a failure. Additionally, that year, Phillips starred in two horror movies: Demon Wind, in which he played a magician who aids a buddy in fending off demonic powers, and The First Power, in which he played a detective tracking down a serial killer possessed by an antiquated evil spirit.
In 1991, Phillips co-starred with Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer in the romantic drama film The Fabulous Baker Boys, playing an aspiring musician who falls in love with Pfeiffer’s character. Both critics and viewers praised the movie, which brought in nearly $18 million on a $12 million budget. Phillips also appeared in two more western films that year: The Dark Wind, playing a Navajo police officer who investigates a murder on a reservation; and Young Guns II, playing a bounty hunter who pursues Billy the Kid and his gang.
In the action movie Shadow of the Wolf from 1992, Phillips played an Inuit hunter who rebels against the white traders who take advantage of his people. Despite a $40 million budget, the movie only made $1.5 million at the box office3. In the comedy WindRunner, Phillips played a ghost who assists a teenage athlete in overcoming his difficulties.
In the comedy film The Big Hit from 1993, Phillips co-starred alongside Mark Wahlberg and Christina Applegate as a hitman who kidnaps the daughter of a successful businessman. On a $13 million budget, the movie was a middling success, grossing over $27 million. In the drama movie Brokedown Palace, Phillips also had an appearance as an American lawyer attempting to secure the release of two Thai women serving prison sentences for narcotics smuggling.
Phillips played the revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara in the 1994 biographical drama film Che. In addition to Julia Ormond, Franka Potente, and Benicio del Toro, the movie was directed by Steven Soderbergh. The movie received favourable reviews and various honours, including the National Board of Review Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Ecumenical Jury Prise at the Cannes Film Festival. On a $58 million budget, the movie also made over $40 million internationally.
The 33, a 1995 drama movie inspired on the true event of the Chilean mining catastrophe that buried 33 miners below for 69 days, also stars Juliette Binoche, Antonio Banderas, and Phillips. Luis Urzua, the shift manager who planned for the miners’ survival, was portrayed by Phillips. The movie made more than $24 million on a $26 million budget and received plaudits for its realism and performances3.
Broadway and TV Roles
With the Broadway revival of The King and I in 1996, Phillips made his stage debut as King Mongkut of Siam opposite Donna Murphy as Anna Leonowens. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical after receiving outstanding praise for his performance. For his performance, he was also given the Theatre World Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award.
Phillips also continued to work on television throughout his career. He starred in several TV movies such as Sioux City, In a Class of His Own, Murder at the Presidio, and Love Takes Wing. He also guest-starred on several TV shows such as Miami Vice, Numb3rs, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chuck, Cougar Town, and Hawaii Five-0.
In 2012, Phillips landed a main role on the crime drama series Longmire, playing Henry Standing Bear, a Cheyenne bar owner and longtime friend of Sheriff Walt Longmire. The series ran for six seasons on A&E and Netflix and was well-received by critics and fans. Phillips also directed two episodes of the series.
In 2017, Phillips competed on the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars, where he was paired with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd. He was eliminated in the third week of the competition.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Phillips has been married three times. His first wife was Julie Cypher, whom he married in 1987 and divorced in 1990. Cypher later had two children with singer Melissa Etheridge through artificial insemination from David Crosby. His second wife was Kelly Phillips, whom he married in 1994 and divorced in 2007. They have three daughters together: Grace Moorea (born 1997), Isabella Patricia (born 1998), and Lili Jordan (born 2004). His third wife is Yvonne Boismier Phillips, whom he married in 2007. They have one daughter together: Indigo Sanara (born 2007).
Phillips is also involved in various charitable causes. He is an advocate for animal rights and environmental issues. He is also a supporter of Native American rights and culture. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and has participated in several events and ceremonies related to his heritage. He is also a spokesperson for the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, which aims to honor Filipino soldiers who fought alongside American forces during World War II.
FAQs
Q: What is Lou Diamond Phillips’ net worth?
A: Lou Diamond Phillips’ net worth is estimated to be $8 million as of 2023.
Q: How did Lou Diamond Phillips make his money?
A: Lou Diamond Phillips made his money from various sources such as acting, directing, writing, producing, and Broadway.
