Phill Lewis Explained

Phill Lewis should not be confused with Phil Lewis (musician).

Phill Lewis
Birth Name:Phillip David Lewis
Birth Date:14 February 1968
Birth Place:Arua, Uganda
Years Active:1986–present
Spouse:Megan Benton Lewis
Children:2

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.[1] [2] [3] 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.[4] [5] [6] Lewis has three brothers.

Career

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 and Phineas and Ferb 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.

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.[7] [8] His blood alcohol level at the time measured three times the limit for legal intoxication.[9] The court sentenced Lewis to five years in prison, but suspended four, citing Lewis's work after his arrest with a prison-based theater troupe that performed in jails, schools, and churches, to highlight the consequences of drug abuse. Lewis was also ordered to serve two years' probation after his release and to perform 350 hours of community service.[7] [8] [9]

Marriage and family

Lewis is married to Megan Benton Lewis and has two daughters.[10]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1988HeathersDennis
1989How I Got Into CollegeHerman
1991City SlickersDr. Steven Jessup
Brother FutureT.J.
1992'Tee Vee'Alternative title: Iron Eagle III
1999BowfingerActor At Audition
2000What Planet Are You From?Other MD
2002I SpyJerry
2004Elvis Has Left the BuildingCharlie
Surviving ChristmasLevine, The Lawyer
2005Kicking & ScreamingJohn Ryan
2008Pretty Ugly PeopleRaye
2009DadnappedMaurice
2011Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2Mr. McKibbleDirect-to-video
2011The Suite Life MovieMr. Moseby
2014Wish I Was HereNerd

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986Hill Street BluesParker Episode: "Amazing Grace"
1986227KenEpisode: "Come Into Parlor"
1987–1988The Bronx ZooSchuyler Tate2 episodes
1987StarmanJ.B.Episode: "The Test"
AmenMarvinEpisode: "Deacon on the Line"
Frank's PlaceHomer2 episodes
1988Sonny SpoonAaron FortuneEpisode: "Crimes Below the Waist"
1988–1989A Different WorldSam Lee4 episodes
1989TV 101Noah HawkinsEpisode: "Kangaroo Gate"
1990Charles in ChargeBernieEpisode: "Buddy Flips a Disc"
1991TeechTeech GibsonLead role, 12 episodes
1994HardballArnold NixonMain role, 9 episodes
Living SingleJ.T.Episode: "U.N.I.T.Y."
1995Sister, SisterMr. BerryEpisode: "Field Trip"
1995–1998The Wayans Bros.T.C.Recurring role, 20 episodes
1996Married... with ChildrenGeorgeEpisode: "Enemies"
1997–1998SparksDetective Floyd Pitts3 episodes
1997The Drew Carey ShowMikeEpisode: "Drew vs. Mimi: Part 2"
Over the TopWilliam BrackettEpisode: "Simon, We Hardly Knew Ye"
1998Buffy the Vampire SlayerMr. PlattEpisode: "Beauty and the Beasts"
Boy Meets WorldClifton McNair2 episodes
1999Party of FiveDetective DannerEpisode: "Witness for the Persecution"
Chicago HopeDetective Davis2 episodes
2000–2001Family LawLawyer3 episodes
2000JAGPetty Officer ScallineEpisode: "Drop Zone"
Ally McBealDistrict Attorney KesslerEpisode: "I Will Survive"
2001–2002Lizzie McGuirePrincipal Tweedy3 episodes
2001Dharma & GregMr. WaldenEpisode: "With a Little Help from My Friend"
2001–2006Yes, DearRoy BarrRecurring role, 10 episodes
2002American BikersTyrell (voice)Episode: "The Age of Bikers: Part 1"
2003FriendsSteve3 episodes
Joan of ArcadiaNaval Officer GodEpisode: "The Boat"
20048 Simple RulesCopEpisode: "Consequences"
2005–2009Scrubs'Crazy' Hooch5 episodes
2005–2008The Suite Life of Zack & CodyMarion MosebyMain role, 87 episodes
2005–2023American Dad!Duper8 episodes
2006That's So RavenMarion MosebyEpisode: "Checkin' Out"
2007Brothers & SistersDr. Peter EdwardsEpisode: "An American Family"
How I Met Your MotherLoan OfficerEpisode: "Dowisetrepla"
2008–2011The Suite Life on DeckMarion MosebyMain role, 73 episodes
2009–2012Special Agent OsoSpecial Agent WolfieMain voice role, 22 episodes
2009Wizards of Waverly PlaceMarion MosebyEpisode: "Cast Away (To Another Show)"
Hannah MontanaEpisode: "Super(sticious) Girl"
2010I'm in the BandEpisode: "Weasels On Deck"
The Big CPool Man2 episodes
Phineas and FerbHawaiian Hotel ManagerVoice role, episode: "Phineas and Ferb Hawaiian Vacation"
2011The Suite Life MovieMarion MosebyTelevision movie
Raising HopeDonovan2 episodes
Good Luck CharlieJohnny's DadEpisode: "Bye Bye Video Diary"
2015JessieMarion MosebyEpisode: "Karate Kid-tastrophe"
Your Family or MineAward PresenterEpisode: "The Speech"
Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & DawnThe MayorEpisode: "The Mighty Quad Squad"
UndateableJudge LewisEpisode: "An Angry Judge Walks Into A Bar"
2016Angel from HellWalt2 episodes
2020The Healing Powers of DudeReginald (voice)Episode: "Second Step: Homeroom"
2023The Really Loud HouseMr. RickshawEpisode: "The Manager with the Planager"

Director

YearTitleNotes
2008–2011The Suite Life on Deck8 episodes
2011–2014A.N.T. Farm5 episodes
2011–2015Jessie9 episodes
2011–2013Good Luck Charlie6 episodes
2012–2014Mike & Molly27 episodes
2013The Soul Man2 episodes
Melissa & JoeyEpisode: "What Happens in Jersey...: Part 2"
2013–20142 Broke Girls11 episodes
Sullivan & Son4 episodes
2014Friends with Better Lives2 episodes
2014–2016Undateable21 episodes
Young & Hungry6 episodes
2014The MillersEpisode: "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings, Man"
2015The McCarthysEpisode: "Sister Act"
Hot in ClevelandEpisode: "Scandalous"
K.C. UndercoverEpisode: "The Get Along Vault"
2015–2017The Odd Couple12 episodes
2016–2024Bunk'd9 episodes
2016–2017Dr. Ken10 episodes
2017Man with a PlanEpisode: "The Three Amigos"
Fuller HouseEpisode: "Soul Sister"
2017–2020One Day at a Time19 episodes
2017–2018Superior Donuts7 episodes
Marlon6 episodes
2018Alexa & KatieEpisode: "Support Group"
All About The WashingtonsEpisode: "Follow the Leaker"
Happy Together4 episodes
2018–2019The Cool Kids4 episodes
2019Last Man StandingEpisode: "Common Ground"
Abby's2 episodes
Mr. Iglesias2 episodes
No Good Nick4 episodes
Carol's Second ActEpisode: "The Zebra"
The Neighborhood2 episodes
Merry Happy Whatever2 episodes
2020Indebted7 episodes
The Big Show Show3 episodes
Broke2 episodes
2021Pretty Smart3 episodes
B Positive5 episodes
Head of the Class9 episodes; also executive producer and guest star
2021–2023iCarly12 episodes
2022How We Roll2 episodes
2022–2023Call Me Kat8 episodes
2022–2023How I Met Your Father3 episodes
2022–presentThe Really Loud House2 episodes
Lopez vs Lopez7 episodes
2023American AutoEpisode: "Passion Project"
FrasierEpisode: "The Founders' Society"
2024Night CourtEpisode: "Chips Ahoy!"
Extended FamilyEpisode: "The Consequences of Familial Obligations"

References

  1. http://www.filmreference.com/film/26/Phill-Lewis.html Phill Lewis Biography (1968–)
  2. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/phill-lewis/170298 Photos, Bio and News for Phill Lewis
  3. Lewis. Phill. ThePhillLewis. 1096078596383232000. February 14, 2019. [video]. March 22, 2021.
  4. 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.
  5. News: Michael E.. Hill . Phill Lewis; D.C. Actor Has the Lead In CBS's Teech . . September 1, 1991 . December 19, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121009062455/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1082864.html . October 9, 2012.
  6. Berg . Jeff . February 2007 . Ambassador at Large . Desert Exposure . Silver City, New Mexico . Continental Divide Publishing . April 28, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170819065016/http://www.desertexposure.com/200702/200702_delano_lewis.php . August 19, 2017 . dead .
  7. Web site: Phill Lewis Sentenced in Fatal Crash . . February 8, 1993 . 37 . Johnson Publishing Company . January 29, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050915/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13402415.html . December 22, 2017.
  8. Web site: . 'Teech' star convicted of vehicular manslaughter' . Variety . November 22, 1992 . December 19, 2017 . February 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180223050659/https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/teech-star-convicted-of-vehicular-manslughter-101502/ . dead .
  9. Web site: Phill Lewis Gets Year In Jail For Drunken Driving Death . . January 23, 1993 . January 29, 2014.
  10. Web site: Phill Lewis's Kid Got Her Driver's License And He Made The Best Disney Channel Joke. Smalls. Saavon. BuzzFeed. August 11, 2017 . en. November 5, 2019.