Phill Lewis
{{Short description|American actor, comedian and director (born 1968)}}
{{distinguish|Phil Lewis (musician)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Phill Lewis
| image = Phill Lewis 2006.jpg
| caption = Lewis in 2006
| birth_name = Phillip David Lewis
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|02|14}}
| birth_place = Arua, Uganda
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actor
- comedian
- television director}}
| years_active = 1986–present
| spouse = Megan Benton Lewis
| children = 2
| mother = Gayle Carolyn Jones
| father = Delano Lewis
}}
Phillip David Lewis (born February 14, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, and director. He is best known for playing hotel manager Mr. Moseby on the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and its spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck. Lewis has also appeared in series such as Lizzie McGuire, Friends, The Wayans Bros., Yes, Dear, Scrubs, and How I Met Your Mother.
Early life
Lewis was born on February 14, 1968, in Uganda to American parents.[http://www.filmreference.com/film/26/Phill-Lewis.html Phill Lewis Biography (1968–)]. Accessed December 12, 2012.[http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/phill-lewis/170298 Photos, Bio and News for Phill Lewis]. TVGuide.com. Accessed December 12, 2012.{{cite tweet|last=Lewis|first=Phill|user=ThePhillLewis|number=1096078596383232000|date=February 14, 2019|title=[video]|access-date=March 22, 2021}} His father, Delano Lewis, served as the U.S. Peace Corps' associate director and country director for Nigeria and Uganda at the time and would later serve as the United States Ambassador to South Africa.[http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/3429.html Delano E. Lewis, country director for the Peace Corps in Nigeria and Uganda from 1966 to 1969.] Peace Corps Online. Accessed December 12, 2012.{{cite news |first=Michael E.|last=Hill |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1991/09/01/phill-lewis/77d2b04b-4272-44d0-9b22-000192fdc2bd/ |title=Phill Lewis; D.C. Actor Has the Lead In CBS's Teech |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 1, 1991 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009062455/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1082864.html |archive-date=October 9, 2012}}{{cite journal |last=Berg |first=Jeff |date=February 2007 |title=Ambassador at Large |url=http://www.desertexposure.com/200702/200702_delano_lewis.php |journal=Desert Exposure |location=Silver City, New Mexico |publisher=Continental Divide Publishing |access-date=April 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819065016/http://www.desertexposure.com/200702/200702_delano_lewis.php |archive-date=August 19, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Lewis has three brothers.
Career
{{BLP sources section|date=December 2017}}
Lewis made his film debut as Dennis in the 1988 dark comedy Heathers. In 1991, he was cast in the lead role of the short-lived CBS sitcom Teech. The series was cancelled after thirteen episodes. He has appeared in smaller roles in other films, including City Slickers (1991), Bowfinger (1999), I Spy (2002), Surviving Christmas (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005), and Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (2011). He also appeared in guest parts on various television series including Sister Sister, Pacific Blue, JAG, Ally McBeal, Joan of Arcadia, Brothers & Sisters, 8 Simple Rules, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends and How I Met Your Mother. Lewis has also had recurring roles on A Different World, The Wayans Bros., Lizzie McGuire, Yes, Dear, Scrubs, and Raising Hope.
Lewis co-starred in the Disney Channel original series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody as Mr. Moseby. In 2008, he had reprised the role on a spin-off The Suite Life on Deck, where he plays the manager of The S.S. Tipton. He has appeared as a guest star on Disney Channel's That's So Raven, Phineas and Ferb, and Jessie, and also in one of the channel's original films, Dadnapped. On the children's series Special Agent Oso, he has a recurring role as the voice of Agent Wolfie. Lewis guest appeared in “227” as “Ken” in season 2, episode 7.
As a television director, he directed eight episodes of The Suite Life on Deck, first making his directorial debut with The Suite Life of Zack & Cody episode "I Want My Mummy" (2007). He has since gone on to direct episodes of the Disney Channel sitcoms A.N.T. Farm, Austin & Ally, Good Luck Charlie, Kickin' It and Jessie. His other television directing credits include Malibu Country, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, The Soul Man, Sullivan & Son, Melissa & Joey, Young & Hungry, The Odd Couple, One Day at a Time, and Indebted. He also directed the live episode of Undateable in 2015 that secured a third season for the series.
From 2017 to 2019, Lewis directed fifteen episodes of Netflix sitcom One Day at a Time.
Personal life
=Legal issues=
In late December 1991, Lewis was arrested after he fatally struck Isabel Duarte, a resident of Bethesda, Maryland, in a car crash. He was charged with manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1boDAAAAMBAJ&q=Phill+Lewis&pg=PA37 |title=Phill Lewis Sentenced in Fatal Crash |work=Jet Magazine |date=February 8, 1993 |page=37 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |access-date=January 29, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050915/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13402415.html |archive-date=December 22, 2017}}{{cite web |author= |url=https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/teech-star-convicted-of-vehicular-manslughter-101502/ |title='Teech' star convicted of vehicular manslaughter' |work=Variety |date=November 22, 1992 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223050659/https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/teech-star-convicted-of-vehicular-manslughter-101502/ |url-status=dead }} His blood alcohol level at the time measured three times the limit for legal intoxication.{{cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/01/23/phill-lewis-gets-year-in-jail-for-drunken-driving-death/ |title=Phill Lewis Gets Year In Jail For Drunken Driving Death |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 23, 1993 |access-date=January 29, 2014}} The court sentenced Lewis to five years in prison, but suspended four, citing Lewis' work after his arrest with a prison-based theater troupe that performed in jails, schools, and churches, to highlight the consequences of drug use. Lewis was also ordered to serve two years' probation after his release and to perform 350 hours of community service.
=Marriage and family=
Lewis is married to Megan Benton Lewis and has two daughters. He is Catholic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/saavonsmalls/i-know-what-a-prndl-is|title=Phill Lewis's Kid Got Her Driver's License And He Made The Best Disney Channel Joke|last=Smalls|first=Saavon|website=BuzzFeed|date=August 11, 2017 |language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1988
| Heathers | Dennis | |
| 1989
| Herman | |
| rowspan="2" | 1991
| Dr. Steven Jessup | |
| Brother Future
| T.J. | |
| 1992
| 'Tee Vee' | Alternative title: Iron Eagle III |
| 1999
| Actor At Audition | |
| 2000
| Other MD | |
| 2002
| I Spy | Jerry | |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| Charlie | |
| Surviving Christmas
| Levine, The Lawyer | |
| 2005
| John Ryan | |
| 2008
| Raye | |
| 2009
| Maurice | |
| 2011
| Mr. McKibble | Direct-to-video |
| 2011
| Mr. Moseby | |
| 2014
| Nerd | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1986
| Parker | Episode: "Amazing Grace" |
| 1986
| 227 | Ken | Episode: "Come Into Parlor" |
| 1987–1988
| Schuyler Tate | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3" | 1987
| Starman | J.B. | Episode: "The Test" |
| Amen
| Marvin | Episode: "Deacon on the Line" |
| Frank's Place
| Homer | 2 episodes |
| 1988
| Aaron Fortune | Episode: "Crimes Below the Waist" |
| 1988–1989
| Sam Lee | 4 episodes |
| 1989
| Justin Cook | Episode: "My Past Is My Own" |
| 1989
| TV 101 | Noah Hawkins | Episode: "Kangaroo Gate" |
| 1990
| Bernie | Episode: "Buddy Flips a Disc" |
| 1991
| Teech | Teech Gibson | Lead role, 12 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 1994
| Hardball | Arnold Nixon | Main role, 9 episodes |
| Living Single
| J.T. | Episode: "U.N.I.T.Y." |
| 1995, 1998
| Mr. Berry, Clifton McNair | 3 Episodes |
| 1995–1998
| T.C. | Recurring role, 20 episodes |
| 1996
| George | Episode: "Enemies" |
| 1997–1998
| Sparks | Detective Floyd Pitts | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 1997
| Mike | Episode: "Drew vs. Mimi: Part 2" |
| Over the Top
| William Brackett | Episode: "Simon, We Hardly Knew Ye" |
| 1998
| Mr. Platt | Episode: "Beauty and the Beasts" |
| rowspan="2" | 1999
| Detective Danner | Episode: "Witness for the Persecution" |
| Chicago Hope
| Detective Davis | 2 episodes |
| 2000–2001
| Lawyer | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2000
| JAG | Petty Officer Scalline | Episode: "Drop Zone" |
| Ally McBeal
| District Attorney Kessler | Episode: "I Will Survive" |
| 2001–2002
| Principal Tweedy | 3 episodes |
| 2001
| Mr. Walden | Episode: "With a Little Help from My Friend" |
| 2001–2006
| Roy Barr | Recurring role, 10 episodes |
| 2002
| American Bikers | Tyrell (voice) | Episode: "The Age of Bikers: Part 1" |
| rowspan="2" | 2003
| Friends | Steve | 3 episodes |
| Joan of Arcadia
| Naval Officer God | Episode: "The Boat" |
| 2004
| Cop | Episode: "Consequences" |
| 2005–2009
| Scrubs | 'Crazy' Hooch | 5 episodes |
| 2005–2008
| The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Main role, 87 episodes |
| 2005–2023
| Duper (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 2006
| Marion Moseby | Episode: "Checkin' Out" |
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| Dr. Peter Edwards | Episode: "An American Family" |
| How I Met Your Mother
| Loan Officer | Episode: "Dowisetrepla" |
| 2008–2011
| Marion Moseby | Main role, 55 episodes |
| 2009–2012
| Special Agent Wolfie | Main voice role, 22 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| rowspan="3" | Marion Moseby | Episode: "Cast Away (To Another Show)" |
| Hannah Montana
| Episode: "Super(sticious) Girl" |
| rowspan="3" | 2010
| Episode: "Weasels On Deck" |
| The Big C
| Pool Man | 2 episodes |
| Phineas and Ferb
| Hawaiian Hotel Manager | Voice role, episode: "Phineas and Ferb Hawaiian Vacation" |
| rowspan="3" | 2011
| Marion Moseby | Television movie |
| Raising Hope
| Donovan | 2 episodes |
| Good Luck Charlie
| Johnny's Dad | Episode: "Bye Bye Video Diary" |
| rowspan="4" | 2015
| Jessie | Marion Moseby | Episode: "Karate Kid-tastrophe" |
| Your Family or Mine
| Award Presenter | Episode: "The Speech" |
| Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn
| The Mayor | Episode: "The Mighty Quad Squad" |
| Undateable
| Judge Lewis | Episode: "An Angry Judge Walks Into A Bar" |
| 2016
| Walt | 2 episodes |
| 2020
| Reginald (voice) | Episode: "Second Step: Homeroom" |
| 2023
| Mr. Rickshaw | Episode: "The Manager with the Planager" |
= Director =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 2007
| The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Episode: "I Want My Mummy" |
| 2008–2011
| 8 episodes |
| 2011–2014
| 5 episodes |
| 2011–2015
| Jessie | 9 episodes |
| 2011–2013
| 6 episodes |
| 2012–2014
| 27 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2013
| 2 episodes |
| Melissa & Joey
| Episode: "What Happens in Jersey...: Part 2" |
| rowspan="2"| 2013–2014
| 11 episodes |
| Sullivan & Son
| 4 episodes |
| 2014
| 2 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2014–2016
| 21 episodes |
| Young & Hungry
| 6 episodes |
| 2014
| Episode: "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings, Man" |
| rowspan="3"| 2015
| Episode: "Sister Act" |
| Hot in Cleveland
| Episode: "Scandalous" |
| K.C. Undercover
| Episode: "The Get Along Vault" |
| 2015–2017
| 12 episodes |
| 2016–2024
| Bunk'd | 14 episodes |
| 2016–2017
| Dr. Ken | 10 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2017
| Episode: "The Three Amigos" |
| Fuller House
| Episode: "Soul Sister" |
| 2017–2020
| 19 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2017–2018
| 7 episodes |
| Marlon
| 6 episodes |
| rowspan="3"| 2018
| Episode: "Support Group" |
| All About The Washingtons
| Episode: "Follow the Leaker" |
| Happy Together
| 4 episodes |
| 2018–2019
| 4 episodes |
| rowspan="7"| 2019
| Episode: "Common Ground" |
| Abby's
| 2 episodes |
| Mr. Iglesias
| 2 episodes |
| No Good Nick
| 4 episodes |
| Carol's Second Act
| Episode: "The Zebra" |
| The Neighborhood
| 2 episodes |
| Merry Happy Whatever
| 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3"| 2020
| Indebted | 7 episodes |
| The Big Show Show
| 3 episodes |
| Broke
| 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3"| 2021
| 3 episodes |
| B Positive
| 5 episodes |
| Head of the Class
| 9 episodes; also executive producer and guest star |
| 2021–2023
| iCarly | 12 episodes |
| 2022
| 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3"| 2022–2023
| 8 episodes |
| How I Met Your Father
| 3 episodes |
| The Really Loud House
| 2 episodes |
| 2022–present
| 7 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2023
| Episode: "Passion Project" |
| Frasier
| Episode: "The Founders' Society" |
| rowspan="2"| 2024
| 2 episodes |
| Extended Family
| Episode: "The Consequences of Familial Obligations" |
| 2024–present
| 2 episodes |
| 2025
| 2 episodes |
References
External links
- {{IMDb name|507629}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Phill}}
Category:African-American male comedians
Category:African-American comedians
Category:African-American television directors
Category:American television directors
Category:American male comedians
Category:American male film actors
Category:American people convicted of manslaughter
Category:American male television actors
Category:20th-century African-American male actors
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:21st-century African-American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:20th-century American comedians
Category:21st-century American comedians