Lou Diamond Phillips is an American film, television, and stage actor, as well as a director and screenwriter. His breakthrough role was as Ritchie Valens in the film "La Bamba." Among his other best-known film roles are Jose Chavez y Chavez in the films "Young Guns" and "Young Guns II," Angel Guzman in "Stand and Deliver," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor, Hank Storm in "The Departed," Jesse Rainfeather Goldman in "Sioux City," which he also directed, Staff Sergeant John Monfriez in "Courage Under Fire," Roy Knox in "Broken Palace," and Wanda in "Hollywood Homicide." He has also appeared in many television films.

His best-known television roles are Lieutenant Gil Arroyo in "Prodigal Son," Henry Standing Bear in "Longmire," Colonel David Telford in "Stargate Universe," Agent Ian Edgerton in "Numb3rs," and John Kanin in "Wolf Lake." He voices animated series: Chief Bill Bayani in "Firehouse Tales," Victor Delgado in "Elena of Avalor," and Surak in "The Lion Guard."

He has had recurring roles in television series including "Trese," "Blindspot," "Blue Bloods," "Goliath," "NCIS: New Orleans," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "The Ranch," "Southland," "George Lopez," and "24." He played himself in the series "Cougar Town" and "You're the Worst." He has also appeared as a guest in a number of series, including "Bull," "The Cleaning Lady," "Search Party," "Criminal Minds," "Graves," "Training Day," "Ironside," "Chuck," "Psych," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Bondsman," "The Twilight Zone" (2002), "Spin City," "The Outer Limits," "Tales from the Crypt," "Miami Vice," and "Dallas" (1985).

He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in the musical "The King and I." In addition to acting, he became known for finishing 186th at the 2009 World Series of Poker in the No Limit Texas hold 'em Main Event.