Joseph C. Phillips

Last updated

Joseph C. Phillips
Born
Joseph Connor Phillips

(1962-01-17) January 17, 1962 (age 63)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • commentator
Years active1985–present
Political party Republican
Spouse
Nicole Phillips
(m. 1994)
Children3

Joseph Connor Phillips (born January 17, 1962) is an American actor, writer, and conservative Christian commentator. He is best known for his role as Martin Kendall on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show , and as Justus Ward on the soap opera General Hospital .

Contents

Career

After graduating from the Professional Theatre Training Program at New York University, Phillips appeared on stage in theatre productions at the Manhattan Bridge Company, Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and a starring role in the world premiere of Toni Morrison's Dreaming Emmett at Capital Repertory Theatre in 1986. [1]

Amid radio and television commercials, Phillips landed a guest role on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow and a second-season appearance on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show . Four years later, he returned to The Cosby Show in his most notable role, that of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Martin Kendall, which he portrayed from 1989 to 1991.

He portrayed attorney Justus Ward on the ABC soap opera General Hospital from 1994 to 1998. Phillips was also a guest political commentator on News & Notes on most NPR radio stations between 2004 and 2009.

Education and associations

Phillips is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He attended the University of the Pacific as a communications major, but later transferred to the acting conservatory at New York University where he graduated with a BFA in acting in 1983.

Phillips is an ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. [2] He has spoken extensively about the disease and its effect on the family. [3] He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actors Equity Association, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, was National Co-Chair of the African American Steering committee for Bush Cheney '04, was named a member of the Republican National Committee's African American Advisory Board, was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the state board of directors of the California African American Museum and was named a 2005 Claremont Institute Lincoln Fellow.

In 2022, Phillips joined the faculty of Clark Atlanta University as a professor in the theatre and communications department. [4]

Conservative activism

Phillips, a Republican, is a television and radio commentator and has written a weekly syndicated column that promotes conservative views. He has been a critic of affirmative action and same-sex marriage in the United States. [5] His book, He Talk Like a White Boy, reflects his thoughts in this regard. [6]

Personal life

Joseph Phillips' mother died when he was young. After this, he became close to the mother of Duane Evans, his cousin. Phillips is from Colorado. He and his wife Nicole have three sons, Connor, Ellis, and Samuel. Phillips and Nicole divorced in January of 2019. In 2006, Phillips published an autobiography, He Talk Like A White Boy, which includes a foreword by Tavis Smiley. [7] [8]

Filmography

n.b. for credit listings reference [9]
Film
YearFilmRoleOther notes
1991 Strictly Business Waymon Tinsdale III
1998A Fare to Remember Supporting actor
Let's Talk About Sex Michael
2005 Getting Played Robert Mitchellson
2010ChurchMelvin
Boogie TownChief Salsbury
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 Search for Tomorrow Cruiser McCulla
The Cosby Show Darryl MarchampEpisode: "Cliff in Love" (S 2:Ep 4)
1988 Hothouse Guest starEpisode: "The Good Family" (S 1:Ep 1 Pilot)
1989–92The Cosby Show Lt. Martin Kendall Main cast (Seasons 6–8)
1989A Raisin in the SunGeorge MurchisonTV-movie
A Man Called Hawk Matt JohnsonEpisode: "Poison" (S 1:Ep 8)
A Different World Lt. Martin KendallEpisode: "Forever Hold Your Peace" (S 3:Ep 5)
1993Basic Values: Sex, Shock & Censorship in the '90sSupporting actor
1994–98 General Hospital Justus Ward Main cast
1995 Martin DerrickEpisode: "The Ex-Files" (S 3:Ep 17)
1996 Soul Train HostEpisode: "Brian McKnight/ Goodie Mob/ Barrio Boyzz" (S 25:Ep 14)
Living Single Jeremy Mills IVEpisode: "Not So Silent Partner" (S 4:Ep 4)
1997 The Larry Sanders Show JamesEpisode: "The Book" (S 5:Ep 10)
1999 Any Day Now Mark SanbornEpisode: "Family Is Family" (S 2:Ep 8)
2000Midnight BlueLuke JordanTV-movie
Perfect Murder, Perfect Town Det. McKinley
  • TV-movie
  • Alternative title: Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder
City of Angels MartinEpisode: "To Have or Halve Not" (S 1:Ep 12)
Popular Harrison's DoctorEpisode: "Ur-ine Trouble" (S 2:Ep 7)
2001 The Parkers Rev. Reggie WrightEpisode: "Mama, I Want to Sing" (S 2Ep 12)
The King of Queens BillEpisode: "Separation Anxiety" (S 3:Ep 20)
Judging Amy Lowry's AttorneyEpisode: "Look Closer" S 3:Ep 5)
V.I.P. GeigerEpisode: 'Kayus Ex Machina" (S 4:Ep 9)
2002 Family Law Abram HatchEpisode: "Children of a Lesser Dad" (S 3:Ep 15)
2002–03 The District Mayor Morgan Douglas Recurring
2004E!'s 101IntervieweeEpisode: "Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment 60 - 41" (S 2:Ep 8)
2004–05 Las Vegas LangleyEpisodes:
2005 Jack & Bobby Coach BraxtonEpisode: "Friends with Benefits" (S 1:Ep 18)
2005–06 Without a Trace Marcus JohnsonRecurring
2006 Vanished J.T. MorseRecurring
2007 Ghost Whisperer Richard VahnEpisode: "No Safe Place" (S 3:Ep 4)
2008 The Young and the Restless Agent Jed Paulson3 episodes
Bones Col. Ryan WolchuckEpisode: "The Con Man in the Meth Lab" (S 4:Ep 9)
2009 Castle MayorEpisodes:
2010 The Secret Life of the American Teenager DonnieEpisode: "Loved and Lost" (S 2:Ep 15)
The Mentalist Alan KneeEpisode: "Blood In, Blood Out" (S 2:Ep 14)
The Event Security GuardEpisodes:
  • "I Haven't Told You Everything" (S 1:Ep 1–Pilot)
  • "To Keep Us Safe" (S 1:Ep 2)
2016DispatchDetective Arnold
2017-2020 13 Reasons Why Greg DavisRecurring
2018 The Rookie Lawyer Jephson Green"Homefront" (S 1:Ep 18)
2020 The Resident Talk Show Host"Last Shot" (S 3:Ep 15)
2020 Criminal Minds Deputy Director James BarbourRecurring; 3 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearNominated workAssociationCategoryResultref
1997General Hospital NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Nominated [10]
1998Nominated [11]
1999Nominated [12]

See also

References

  1. "Profiles: Joseph C. Phillips". Playbill 1985-1986. Capital Repertory Theatre. 1986.
  2. "BIOGRAPHY". josephcphillips.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  3. Effects Archived December 11, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Joseph C. Phillips Joins Clark Atlanta University's Faculty". Clark Atlanta University . October 7, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  5. "How Does Morality Affect Same-Sex Marriage Debate?". NPR . Archived from the original on October 13, 2022.
  6. He Talk Like a White Boy . Running Press. 2006. ISBN   0762423994. OCLC   762228725.
  7. "Book Discussion on He Talk Like a White Boy". C-SPAN . National Cable Satellite Corporation. May 19, 2006. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  8. "Joseph C. Phillips On 'He Talk Like A White Boy'". Christian Broadcasting Network . Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  9. "Joseph C. Phillips : Credit Listings". TV.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  10. "Event: NAACP Image Award (1997)". Internet Movie Database . Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  11. "Event: NAACP Image Award (1998)". Internet Movie Database . Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  12. "Event: NAACP Image Award (1999)". Internet Movie Database . Retrieved July 14, 2015.