What’s Lou Diamond Phillips doing at UT Arlington? Here’s what we know
Texas-raised actor Lou Diamond Phillips returned to his alma mater last week.
The “Young Guns” actor was born at a naval station in the Philippines, but his family moved to Texas shortly after his birth. Phillips grew up in Flour Bluff, a small neighborhood of Corpus Christi, and later graduated from UT Arlington in 1985.
Phillips was back at UTA last week for a teaching residency at the College of Liberal Arts.
“As an actor, writer and director, it’s in me to pass the torch to the next generation and ignite their passion for their craft,” Phillips said in a press release. “I’m thrilled — very thrilled. UTA has made amazing advancements over the years, not only in academics, but for me more importantly in diversity.”
UTA president Jennifer Cowley invited Phillips for the weeklong residency to help mentor and prepare the next generation of actors and filmmakers.
Phillips will work and collaborate with students in the Departments of Art and Art History, Theatre Arts and Dance. The UTA alumnus will teach on a variety of subjects from acting fundamentals, to directing and film analysis.
Phillips will also work with students from across the university in an all-day film shoot.
Not long after Phillips arrived at UTA’s Theatre Arts department as a student, he was cast in stage productions of “Dracula” and “The Physician in Spite of Himself.” Along with his collegiate productions, Phillips sought out professional roles in the North Texas area, even making his way to Fort Worth’s Stage West Theater.
Since graduating in 1985, Phillips has had a nearly four-decade career in movies and television. Some of his most notable roles have come in films such as “La Bamba,” “Stand and Deliver” and “Courage Under Fire”.
Phillips returned to a Fort Worth stage just a few months ago when he appeared in “Miss Saigon” at Casa Mañana in early June.
As Phillips settles into his weeklong residency, he’s ready to share his passion with the next generation.
“Anytime I teach, it reinvigorates my passion for what I do, and that passion is what I want to convey to the students,” Phillips said. “One of the wonderful things about the industry is that you can never stop learning. You should never stop learning things that will help you in your craft, and you can never stop learning about yourself.”
This story was originally published October 16, 2023 at 4:38 PM.
