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.
Phill Lewis | |
|---|---|
 Lewis in 2006 | |
| Born | Phillip David Lewis February 14, 1968 Arua, Uganda |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse | Megan Benton Lewis |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
Early life
editLewis 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.[2]
Career
editThis section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (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.[5] 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.
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
editLegal issues
editIn 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
editLewis is married to Megan Benton Lewis and has two daughters.[10]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Heathers | Dennis | |
| 1989 | How I Got Into College | Herman | |
| 1991 | City Slickers | Dr. Steven Jessup | |
| Brother Future | T.J. | ||
| 1992 | Aces: Iron Eagle III | 'Tee Vee' | Alternative title: Iron Eagle III |
| 1999 | Bowfinger | Actor At Audition | |
| 2000 | What Planet Are You From? | Other MD | |
| 2002 | I Spy | Jerry | |
| 2004 | Elvis Has Left the Building | Charlie | |
| Surviving Christmas | Levine, The Lawyer | ||
| 2005 | Kicking & Screaming | John Ryan | |
| 2008 | Pretty Ugly People | Raye | |
| 2009 | Dadnapped | Maurice | |
| 2011 | Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 | Mr. McKibble | Direct-to-video |
| 2011 | The Suite Life Movie | Mr. Moseby | |
| 2014 | Wish I Was Here | Nerd |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Hill Street Blues | Parker | Episode: "Amazing Grace" |
| 1986 | 227 | Ken | Episode: "Come Into Parlor" |
| 1987–1988 | The Bronx Zoo | Schuyler Tate | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | Starman | J.B. | Episode: "The Test" |
| Amen | Marvin | Episode: "Deacon on the Line" | |
| Frank's Place | Homer | 2 episodes | |
| 1988 | Sonny Spoon | Aaron Fortune | Episode: "Crimes Below the Waist" |
| 1988–1989 | A Different World | Sam Lee | 4 episodes |
| 1989 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Justin Cook | Episode: "My Past Is My Own" |
| 1989 | TV 101 | Noah Hawkins | Episode: "Kangaroo Gate" |
| 1990 | Charles in Charge | Bernie | Episode: "Buddy Flips a Disc" |
| 1991 | Teech | Teech Gibson | Lead role, 12 episodes |
| 1994 | Hardball | Arnold Nixon | Main role, 9 episodes |
| Living Single | J.T. | Episode: "U.N.I.T.Y." | |
| 1995 | Sister, Sister | Mr. Berry | Episode: "Field Trip" |
| 1995–1998 | The Wayans Bros. | T.C. | Recurring role, 20 episodes |
| 1996 | Married... with Children | George | Episode: "Enemies" |
| 1997–1998 | Sparks | Detective Floyd Pitts | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | The Drew Carey Show | Mike | Episode: "Drew vs. Mimi: Part 2" |
| Over the Top | William Brackett | Episode: "Simon, We Hardly Knew Ye" | |
| 1998 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Mr. Platt | Episode: "Beauty and the Beasts" |
| Boy Meets World | Clifton McNair | 2 episodes | |
| 1999 | Party of Five | Detective Danner | Episode: "Witness for the Persecution" |
| Chicago Hope | Detective Davis | 2 episodes | |
| 2000–2001 | Family Law | Lawyer | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | JAG | Petty Officer Scalline | Episode: "Drop Zone" |
| Ally McBeal | District Attorney Kessler | Episode: "I Will Survive" | |
| 2001–2002 | Lizzie McGuire | Principal Tweedy | 3 episodes |
| 2001 | Dharma & Greg | Mr. Walden | Episode: "With a Little Help from My Friend" |
| 2001–2006 | Yes, Dear | Roy Barr | Recurring role, 10 episodes |
| 2002 | American Bikers | Tyrell (voice) | Episode: "The Age of Bikers: Part 1" |
| 2003 | Friends | Steve | 3 episodes |
| Joan of Arcadia | Naval Officer God | Episode: "The Boat" | |
| 2004 | 8 Simple Rules | Cop | Episode: "Consequences" |
| 2005–2009 | Scrubs | 'Crazy' Hooch | 5 episodes |
| 2005–2008 | The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Marion Moseby | Main role, 87 episodes |
| 2005–2023 | American Dad! | Duper | 8 episodes |
| 2006 | That's So Raven | Marion Moseby | Episode: "Checkin' Out" |
| 2007 | Brothers & Sisters | Dr. Peter Edwards | Episode: "An American Family" |
| How I Met Your Mother | Loan Officer | Episode: "Dowisetrepla" | |
| 2008–2011 | The Suite Life on Deck | Marion Moseby | Main role, 73 episodes |
| 2009–2012 | Special Agent Oso | Special Agent Wolfie | Main voice role, 22 episodes |
| 2009 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Marion Moseby | Episode: "Cast Away (To Another Show)" |
| Hannah Montana | Episode: "Super(sticious) Girl" | ||
| 2010 | I'm in the Band | 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" | |
| 2011 | The Suite Life Movie | Marion Moseby | Television movie |
| Raising Hope | Donovan | 2 episodes | |
| Good Luck Charlie | Johnny's Dad | Episode: "Bye Bye Video Diary" | |
| 2015 | Jessie | Marion Moseby | Episode: "Karate Kid-tastrophe" |
| Your Family or Mine | Award Presenter | Episode: "The Speech" | |
| Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn | The Mayor / Marion Moseby | 2 Episodes | |
| Undateable | Judge Lewis | Episode: "An Angry Judge Walks Into A Bar" | |
| 2016 | Angel from Hell | Walt | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | The Healing Powers of Dude | Reginald (voice) | Episode: "Second Step: Homeroom" |
| 2023 | The Really Loud House | Mr. Rickshaw | Episode: "The Manager with the Planager" |
Director
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Episode: "I Want My Mummy" |
| 2008–2011 | The Suite Life on Deck | 8 episodes |
| 2011–2014 | A.N.T. Farm | 5 episodes |
| 2011–2015 | Jessie | 9 episodes |
| 2011–2013 | Good Luck Charlie | 6 episodes |
| 2012–2014 | Mike & Molly | 27 episodes |
| 2013 | The Soul Man | 2 episodes |
| Melissa & Joey | Episode: "What Happens in Jersey...: Part 2" | |
| 2013–2014 | 2 Broke Girls | 11 episodes |
| Sullivan & Son | 4 episodes | |
| 2014 | Friends with Better Lives | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2016 | Undateable | 21 episodes |
| Young & Hungry | 6 episodes | |
| 2014 | The Millers | Episode: "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings, Man" |
| 2015 | The McCarthys | Episode: "Sister Act" |
| Hot in Cleveland | Episode: "Scandalous" | |
| K.C. Undercover | Episode: "The Get Along Vault" | |
| 2015–2017 | The Odd Couple | 12 episodes |
| 2016–2024 | Bunk'd | 14 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Dr. Ken | 10 episodes |
| 2017 | Man with a Plan | Episode: "The Three Amigos" |
| Fuller House | Episode: "Soul Sister" | |
| 2017–2020 | One Day at a Time | 19 episodes |
| 2017–2018 | Superior Donuts | 7 episodes |
| Marlon | 6 episodes | |
| 2018 | Alexa & Katie | Episode: "Support Group" |
| All About The Washingtons | Episode: "Follow the Leaker" | |
| Happy Together | 4 episodes | |
| 2018–2019 | The Cool Kids | 4 episodes |
| 2019 | Last Man Standing | 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 | |
| 2020 | Indebted | 7 episodes |
| The Big Show Show | 3 episodes | |
| Broke | 2 episodes | |
| 2021 | Pretty Smart | 3 episodes |
| B Positive | 5 episodes | |
| Head of the Class | 9 episodes; also executive producer and guest star | |
| 2021–2023 | iCarly | 12 episodes |
| 2022 | How We Roll | 2 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | Call Me Kat | 8 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | How I Met Your Father | 3 episodes |
| 2022–present | The Really Loud House | 2 episodes |
| Lopez vs Lopez | 7 episodes | |
| 2023 | American Auto | Episode: "Passion Project" |
| Frasier | Episode: "The Founders' Society" | |
| 2024 | Night Court | Episode: "Chips Ahoy!" |
| Extended Family | Episode: "The Consequences of Familial Obligations" |
References
edit- ^ Phill Lewis Biography (1968–). Accessed December 12, 2012.
- ^ a b Photos, Bio and News for Phill Lewis. TVGuide.com. Accessed December 12, 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Phill [@ThePhillLewis] (February 14, 2019). "[video]" (Tweet). Retrieved March 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Delano E. Lewis, country director for the Peace Corps in Nigeria and Uganda from 1966 to 1969. Peace Corps Online. Accessed December 12, 2012.
- ^ a b Hill, Michael E. (September 1, 1991). "Phill Lewis; D.C. Actor Has the Lead In CBS's Teech". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Berg, Jeff (February 2007). "Ambassador at Large". Desert Exposure. Silver City, New Mexico: Continental Divide Publishing. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
- ^ a b "Phill Lewis Sentenced in Fatal Crash". Jet Magazine. Johnson Publishing Company. February 8, 1993. p. 37. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ a b "'Teech' star convicted of vehicular manslaughter'". Variety. November 22, 1992. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Phill Lewis Gets Year In Jail For Drunken Driving Death". Orlando Sentinel. January 23, 1993. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ Smalls, Saavon (August 11, 2017). "Phill Lewis's Kid Got Her Driver's License And He Made The Best Disney Channel Joke". BuzzFeed. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
External links
edit- Phill Lewis at IMDb