Lou Diamond Phillips: The 'La Bamba' Star's Best Movies & More!

Cara McLaughlin MD 27 May 2025

Ever wonder what happened to that magnetic actor who burst onto the scene portraying Ritchie Valens? Lou Diamond Phillips, the star who captured hearts in "La Bamba," is much more than just a one-hit wonder; he's a multifaceted talent whose career spans decades and genres.

The year was 1987. The film, "La Bamba," a biographical drama that recounted the short but impactful life of early rock and roll icon Ritchie Valens. Lou Diamond Phillips embodied the role with such passion and authenticity that he not only launched his own career but also reignited interest in Valens's music, introducing it to a whole new generation. The film took audiences on a roller coaster, tracing Valens's journey from humble beginnings to meteoric rise. Phillips's portrayal resonated deeply, and "La Bamba" became a cultural phenomenon, solidifying his place in Hollywood.

Lou Diamond Phillips: Bio & Career
Category	Information
Full Name	Louis Diamond Phillips (né Upchurch)
Birth Date	February 17, 1962
Birth Place	Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Filipino, Scottish, Irish
Occupation	Actor, Director, Writer
Years Active	1984–present
Breakthrough Role	Ritchie Valens in "La Bamba" (1987)
Notable Films	"Young Guns" I & II, "Stand and Deliver," "Renegades," "Courage Under Fire"
Awards & Nominations	Independent Spirit Award (for "Stand and Deliver"), Golden Globe Nomination (for "Stand and Deliver")
Marital Status	Married to Yvonne Boismier Phillips (m. 2007)
Children	4 (from previous marriages)
Website	Official Website

While "La Bamba" undoubtedly remains a pivotal moment, it's only a single thread in a rich tapestry of work. Phillips leveraged the film's success to explore a variety of roles, showcasing a range that defied easy categorization. He wasn't content to be typecast as simply the young rock star; he sought challenging parts that allowed him to stretch his acting muscles.

The late 1980s and early 1990s saw Phillips cement his status as a versatile actor. He starred as Jose Chavez y Chavez in both "Young Guns" I and II, bringing a complex blend of charisma and intensity to the legendary outlaw. These films, with their ensemble casts and action-packed narratives, further broadened his appeal. Then came "Stand and Deliver" (1988), where he portrayed Angel Guzman, a troubled East Los Angeles high school student inspired by his math teacher, Jaime Escalante. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a testament to his ability to portray nuanced characters with depth and empathy. For stand and deliver (1988), phillips was nominated for a golden globe award and won an independent spirit award.

It's important to remember that accolades don't always translate to immediate box-office success, but they do signify recognition within the industry. Lou Diamond Phillips's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top lou diamond phillips movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated lou diamond phillips movies will be at the top of the list.

Beyond film, Phillips has consistently sought opportunities in television and on the stage. He made his broadway debut with the 1996 revival of the. Lou diamond phillips is an american film, television, and stage actor as well as director and writer. His versatility shines through in his ability to transition seamlessly between different mediums. He hasn't limited himself to just acting, either; he has also ventured into writing and directing, showcasing a desire to contribute to the creative process on multiple levels.

But his journey wasn't without its hurdles. As is often the case in Hollywood, maintaining momentum can be a constant battle. His talent and exotic looks grabbed attention in the late 1980s, but lou diamond phillips was unable to capitalize on his early career momentum. Soaring to success as the star of the popular ritchie valens biopic la bamba (1987), phillips won an independent spirit award and a golden globe nomination for his role as a teen gang member in the.

There are times when even the most talented actors face periods of transition and re-evaluation. It turns out that lou diamond phillips altered his career path and stepped away from mainstream hollywood fare. However, it wasn't entirely by choice. In a 2021 interview with. It's a reminder that the entertainment industry can be unpredictable, and even those with established careers must navigate shifting landscapes and evolving opportunities.

However, Phillips has consistently found ways to stay relevant and engaged. He continued to work steadily in film and television throughout the 2000s and 2010s, appearing in a diverse range of projects. He's also made appearances at the new york women in film and television 44th annual muse awards held at cipriani 42nd street on march 27, 2024 in new yorklou diamond phillips attends cirque du soleil's luzia new york premiere at randall's island on march 06, 2025 in new york city. Ali afshar’s esx entertainment has added lou diamond phillips to casa grande: The movie which is the feature to the original amazon prime video 2023 series. Find where to watch lou diamond phillips's latest movies and tv shows.

From action to drama, comedy to thriller, we've compiled a list of some of his most memorable films, bringing you closer to the world of lou diamond phillips movies. Lou diamond phillips is an american actor best known for his his work in films such as 'la bamba,' 'stand and deliver' and 'young guns.' He got his breakthrough role as ‘ritchie valens’ in the biographical drama film 'la bamba' (1987). The film received a thumbs up from critics and went on to become a commercial success. List of all lou diamond phillips movies & tv shows including most successful and worst tv shows & movies. See lou diamond phillips full list of movies and tv shows from their career.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Phillips's personal life has also been subject to public scrutiny. Lou diamond then wed kelly preston in 1994. Together, they had twins, isabella and grace, and lili, their younger daughter. However, the pair formally divorced in 2007, even though they had already split up in 2004, by which time phillips had started dating yvonne boismier. Phillips and lou began dating following lou's divorce from his second wife. Hollywood actor and filmmaker lou diamond phillips has four children from his last two marriages. Lou diamond phillips with his wife yvonne and daughter indigo sanara phillips. Lou diamond phillips and yvonne later married on 16 august 2007. Lou and his partner exchanged their wedding vows in an intimate ceremony.

Despite the challenges, he has maintained a sense of groundedness. The talented actor, known for his roles in la bamba, young guns, and stand and deliver, has shared his experiences of fatherhood and the joy of adopting his children. Even after the arrest and the call to the police, the couple stayed together! It speaks to his resilience and commitment to his family.

Born Louis Diamond Phillips (né Upchurch) on February 17, 1962, at the Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines, he has a diverse heritage. His mother, Lucita Aranas, is of Filipino descent, while his father, Gerald Upchurch, was an American naval officer with Scottish and Irish ancestry. His father was a crew chief in the u.s. After his father’s death, lou was adopted by his mother’s second husband and he took his surname, phillips.

His upbringing undoubtedly shaped his perspective and contributed to his ability to connect with diverse audiences. His breakthrough came when he starred as ritchie valens in the biographical drama film la bamba (1987). Louis diamond phillips is an american actor and film director. Louis diamond phillips is an actor, writer and director who rose to prominence when he played the lead role in the biopic film la bamba. In 1987, lou diamond phillips starred as ritchie valens in la bamba, a biographical film about the young rock and roll singer’s rise to fame and untimely death.phillips’s portrayal of valens was met with critical acclaim, and the film became a cultural phenomenon, introducing audiences worldwide to valens’s music and legacy. He went on to receive a golden globe award nomination for best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for his performance in stand and deliver. Phillips made his broadway debut with the 1996 revival of the Known for his versatile acting skills and magnetic screen presence, phillips has appeared in a variety of movies that showcase his range as an artist. His other best known film roles are as jose chavez y chavez in young guns i and ii, angel guzman in stand and deliver for which he earned a supporting actor golden globe award nomination, hank storm in renegades.

But his connections run even deeper. Louisville's best engagement rings, wedding rings & jewelry. 4600 shelbyville road, suite 106. Direct diamond import prices for nearly two decades genesis diamonds' owner, boaz ramon, was the supplier, advisor and authority to more than 700 jewelry stores in the united states. Read more bb locations ; Lou's jewelry is family owned and operated and has been since 1975. Through three generations we have dedicated this store to you.

And then there's the quirky side, the roles that defy expectations. A hostile swarm of genetically mutated bats terrorizes a local texas town, and it is up to zoologist sheila casper, who teams up with town sheriff emmett kimsey, to exterminate the creatures before they take more lives. The film stars lou diamond phillips, dina meyer, bob gunton and leon. It was the first film released by destination films.

From the biographical drama of "La Bamba" to the action-packed "Young Guns" and the heartwarming "Stand and Deliver," Lou Diamond Phillips has crafted a career marked by versatility and a willingness to take risks. His journey is a testament to his enduring talent and his ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing world of entertainment. His breakthrough came when he starred as ritchie valens in the biographical drama film la bamba (1987). For stand and deliver (1988), phillips was nominated for a golden globe award and won an independent spirit award. Louis diamond phillips (n upchurch; He fought in france during world war i, served in china during the interwar period, and fought in the guadalcanal campaign as a master gunnery sergeant during world war ii in the 1st marine division, before retiring in 1945.