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 long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, and as Justus Ward on the soap opera General Hospital.

Joseph C. Phillips
Born
Joseph Connor Phillips

(1962-01-17) January 17, 1962 (age 62)
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, commentator
Years active1985–present
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Nicole Phillips
(m. 1994)
Children3

Career edit

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 popular 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 1989-1991.

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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. In 2006, Phillips published an autobiography, He Talk Like A White Boy, which includes a foreword by Tavis Smiley.[7][8]

Filmography edit

n.b. for credit listings reference[9]
Film
Year Film Role Other notes
1991 Strictly Business Waymon Tinsdale III
1998 A Fare to Remember Supporting actor
Let's Talk About Sex Michael
2005 Getting Played Robert Mitchellson
2010 Church Melvin
Boogie Town Chief Salsbury
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Search for Tomorrow Cruiser McCulla
The Cosby Show Darryl Marchamp Episode: "Cliff in Love" (S 2:Ep 4)
1988 Hothouse Guest star Episode: "The Good Family" (S 1:Ep 1 Pilot)
1989–92 The Cosby Show Lt. Martin Kendall Main cast (Seasons 6–8)
1989 A Raisin in the Sun George Murchison TV-movie
A Man Called Hawk Matt Johnson Episode: "Poison" (S 1:Ep 8)
A Different World Lt. Martin Kendall Episode: "Forever Hold Your Peace" (S 3:Ep 5)
1993 Basic Values: Sex, Shock & Censorship in the '90s Supporting actor
1994–98 General Hospital Justus Ward Main cast
1995 Martin Derrick Episode: "The Ex-Files" (S 3:Ep 17)
1996 Soul Train Host Episode: "Brian McKnight/ Goodie Mob/ Barrio Boyzz" (S 25:Ep 14)
Living Single Jeremy Mills IV Episode: "Not So Silent Partner" (S 4:Ep 4)
1997 The Larry Sanders Show James Episode: "The Book" (S 5:Ep 10)
1999 Any Day Now Mark Sanborn Episode: "Family Is Family" (S 2:Ep 8)
2000 Midnight Blue Luke Jordan TV-movie
Perfect Murder, Perfect Town Det. McKinley
  • TV-movie
  • Alternative title: Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder
City of Angels Martin Episode: "To Have or Halve Not" (S 1:Ep 12)
Popular Harrison's Doctor Episode: "Ur-ine Trouble" (S 2:Ep 7)
2001 The Parkers Rev. Reggie Wright Episode: "Mama, I Want to Sing" (S 2Ep 12)
The King of Queens Bill Episode: "Separation Anxiety" (S 3:Ep 20)
Judging Amy Lowry's Attorney Episode: "Look Closer" S 3:Ep 5)
V.I.P. Geiger Episode: 'Kayus Ex Machina" (S 4:Ep 9)
2002 Family Law Abram Hatch Episode: "Children of a Lesser Dad" (S 3:Ep 15)
2002–03 The District Mayor Morgan Douglas Recurring
2004 E!'s 101 Interviewee Episode: "Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment 60 - 41" (S 2:Ep 8)
2004–05 Las Vegas Langley Episodes:
2005 Jack & Bobby Coach Braxton Episode: "Friends with Benefits" (S 1:Ep 18)
2005–06 Without a Trace Marcus Johnson Recurring
2006 Vanished J.T. Morse Recurring
2007 Ghost Whisperer Richard Vahn Episode: "No Safe Place" (S 3:Ep 4)
2008 The Young and the Restless Agent Jed Paulson 3 episodes
Bones Col. Ryan Wolchuck Episode: "The Con Man in the Meth Lab" (S 4:Ep 9)
2009 Castle Mayor Episodes:
2010 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Donnie Episode: "Loved and Lost" (S 2:Ep 15)
The Mentalist Alan Knee Episode: "Blood In, Blood Out" (S 2:Ep 14)
The Event Security Guard Episodes:
  • "I Haven't Told You Everything" (S 1:Ep 1–Pilot)
  • "To Keep Us Safe" (S 1:Ep 2)
2016 Dispatch Detective Arnold
2017-2020 13 Reasons Why Greg Davis Recurring
2020 The Resident Talk Show Host "Last Shot" (S 3:Ep 15)
2020 Criminal Minds Deputy Director James Barbour Recurring; 3 episodes

Awards and nominations edit

Year Nominated work Association Category Result ref
1997 General Hospital NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Nominated [10]
1998 Nominated [11]
1999 Nominated [12]

See also edit

References edit

  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.

External links edit