Lou Diamond Phillips is an American actor and director. He was born on February 17, 1962, in Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippines. Phillips gained fame with his breakthrough role as Ritchie Valens in the 1987 film “La Bamba”. He has since appeared in numerous films and television shows, including “Young Guns”, “Courage Under Fire”, and “Longmire”. Phillips has been acclaimed by critics for his performances and has been nominated for a Tony Award and won a World World Award. He is known for his versatility and ability to portray diverse characters from different backgrounds. In addition to his acting career, Phillips is also involved in directing and has directed episodes of popular television shows.