LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS: Biggest Shock with La Bamba, Returning to Young Guns & Most Humbling Moment
Digest
Michael Rosenbaum welcomes Lou Diamond Phillips to the Inside of You podcast. They discuss Phillips's career, starting with his early days in Texas and his decision to pursue acting despite his family's initial reservations. Phillips shares the story of his audition for La Bamba, which was a long and arduous process, and how he landed the role of Richie Valens. He also talks about his experience on Young Guns, the camaraderie on set, and the rumors of a potential sequel. Phillips reflects on the challenges of the acting industry, including dealing with rejection and the importance of having a support system. He also discusses his passion for writing and directing, and his collaboration with his wife on their novel, The Tinder Box. The episode concludes with a shout-out to Phillips's top-tier patrons and a reminder to be good to yourself.
Outlines
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Introduction and Sponsor Message
This Chapter introduces the podcast and features a sponsor message for BlueNile.com, an online retailer for engagement rings.
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Inside of Lou Diamond Phillips
This Chapter delves into Lou Diamond Phillips's personal and professional journey. Michael Rosenbaum and Lou Diamond Phillips discuss Phillips's upbringing, his decision to pursue acting, and his early career experiences.
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La Bamba and Beyond
This Chapter focuses on Lou Diamond Phillips's breakout role in La Bamba. He shares the story of his audition, the challenges of learning the songs and guitar parts, and the impact the film had on his career.
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Outro and Sponsor Messages
This Chapter concludes the podcast with a thank you to the patrons, a final message from Michael Rosenbaum and Ryan Teyes, and sponsor messages for In the Red Clay podcast, Shopify, Rocket Money, and Rakuten.
Keywords
Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips is an American actor, singer, and director. He is known for his roles in films such as La Bamba, Young Guns, and Stand and Deliver. He has also appeared in numerous television series, including Miami Vice, Longmire, and The Stand.
La Bamba
La Bamba is a 1987 American biographical musical drama film about the life and career of Chicano rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens. The film stars Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens, and it was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $58 million worldwide.
Young Guns
Young Guns is a 1988 American Western action film about the real-life Regulators, a group of young gunslingers who fought for justice in the American West. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, and Lou Diamond Phillips, and it was a box office hit, grossing over $60 million worldwide.
Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver is a 1988 American biographical drama film about Jaime Escalante, a real-life math teacher who inspired his students at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles to take and pass advanced placement calculus exams. The film stars Edward James Olmos as Escalante, and Lou Diamond Phillips as Angel, one of his students. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Olmos.
Acting Industry
The acting industry encompasses all aspects of the profession of acting, including film, television, theater, and voice acting. It is a highly competitive industry, with actors facing constant rejection and the need to build a strong support system.
Mental Health
Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is important to prioritize mental health, and to seek help when needed. There are many resources available to support mental health, including therapy, medication, and support groups.
Writing and Directing
Writing and directing are two important aspects of filmmaking. Writers create the stories and scripts, while directors bring those stories to life on screen. Many actors also pursue writing and directing, as it allows them to have more creative control over their work.
The Tinder Box
The Tinder Box is a 2019 novel by Lou Diamond Phillips and his wife, Kelly Phillips. It is a historical fiction novel set in the 19th century, and it tells the story of a young woman who is forced to flee her home after her father is murdered.
Q&A
What was the most surprising thing Lou Diamond Phillips learned about Richie Valens while preparing for the role?
Phillips was surprised to learn that Valens was only 17 years old when he died. He also learned that Valens's career was only eight months long, which made him realize the immense talent and potential that Valens had.
What is one thing that brings Lou Diamond Phillips the most joy?
Phillips says that family brings him the most joy, followed by his work as an artist. He enjoys making movies, writing, reading, and watching films. He believes that art is essential in providing beauty, wisdom, and depth to our lives.
What is one of Lou Diamond Phillips's favorite memories from the set of Young Guns?
Phillips doesn't share a specific story, but he mentions that there are many ridiculous and hilarious stories from the set of Young Guns. He says that he and his co-stars still laugh about some of the things they got away with back in the days before social media and camera phones.
How did Lou Diamond Phillips deal with tough times in his career?
Phillips says that he has turned to therapy a few times to vent and work through his insecurities. He acknowledges that the acting industry can be challenging, and that it's important to have a support system and to prioritize self-care.
What is one thing that Lou Diamond Phillips does consistently to support his mental health?
Phillips says that family is his top priority. He enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and doing his own grocery shopping. He believes that having a strong family foundation helps him to stay grounded and to make responsible choices.
What is Lou Diamond Phillips's advice for dealing with difficult people in the industry?
Phillips says that he has been fortunate to have encountered relatively few difficult people in his career. He believes that most people are nice to him, and that he has not had to confront anyone about their behavior in a serious way. He also emphasizes the importance of respecting the crew and treating them well, as they are essential to the success of any project.
What songs are on Lou Diamond Phillips's playlist that he can't get enough of?
Phillips says that he enjoys listening to Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He also mentions that he sometimes plays online poker and that he enjoys listening to music while playing.
What is one item that Lou Diamond Phillips kept from his movies?
Phillips says that he still has the green Lubbock guitar from his first audition for the Silhouettes. He plans to donate it to the Academy Museum at some point.
Would Lou Diamond Phillips be interested in revisiting the Longmire series?
Phillips says that he would absolutely be interested in revisiting Longmire. He believes that the character of Walt Longmire is iconic and that there is a lot of potential for more stories based on the books.
What is Lou Diamond Phillips's perspective on the acting industry?
Phillips believes that the acting industry is a challenging but rewarding profession. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, preparation, and having a strong support system. He also believes that it's important to stay true to yourself and to never give up on your dreams.
Show Notes
Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba, Young Guns) joins us this week and shares his gratitude for being able to sustain a successful career in the arts for over 40 years, while highlighting the importance in open conversations about mental health along the peaks and valleys that come with it. Lou talks a lot about his experience in La Bamba - going from a day player to being Ritchie Valens, having just seven days to prepare the songs, and the biggest shock that came with his portrayal. We also talk about his pursuit for acting coming out of Texas, his hopes for a return to Young Guns, and the work ethic that propels him into so many different projects.
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