Birthplace: Subic Bay Naval Air Station, Philippines
biography
A handsome, multi-ethnic leading player, Phillips made his film debut as both actor and co-screenwriter with "Trespasses" (filmed in 1983, released in 1987), a crime melodrama set in Texas. He rose to prominence as doomed 1950s rock-and-roll star Ritchie Valens in "La Bamba" (1987). A charismatic and conscientious performer, he subsequently distinguished himself as gang member Angel in Ramon Menendez's high school drama, "Stand and Deliver" and was one of the titular "Young Guns" (both 1988). He has played cops ("Renegades" 1989), Latinos ("A Show of Force" 1990) and Native Americans ("The
