MovieChat Forums > Lou Diamond Phillips Discussion > Underrated, should've been a bigger star

Underrated, should've been a bigger star

posted 5 years ago by PrimeMinisterX (8331)
18 replies | jump to latest

I wonder why he never made it bigger than he did. He's had a successful career, to be sure, but he should've been more successful and landed bigger roles.

I mostly know him from Longmire, Courage Under Fire, The Big Hit, Young Guns and La Bamba. He was excellent in them all.

While he's occasionally broken through to big roles, most of his career has been made up of guest starring appearances on TV shows and roles in small movies that no one's heard of.

It's a shame that Longmire's been cancelled, as that was a great character for him. I hope that he gets at least a few more big opportunities before he calls it a career.

[–] Galilguy (2332) 5 years ago

I agree, he's a good likeable actor. The Big Hit was hilarious thanks for reminding me of that one..

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 5 years ago

Cool, glad to see someone else out there appreciates him.

The Big Hit is great and it shows LDP's range as an actor. He's goofy as hell in that movie and handled the comedy really well.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

He was huge during the late 80's and early 90's. He just got overshadowed by a lot of talent.

[–] sslssg (28386) 5 years ago

I saw a commercial for Prodigal Son and was thinking the same thing. I always liked him and thought he should have been a bigger star. Glad to see I'm not alone.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 5 years ago

If you're a Lou Diamond fan, and haven't already watched it, you really should check out Longmire on Netflix. It's great and he has a major role.

I'm glad that he landed a role in what looks like it could be a big show with Prodigal Son. I certainly hope it's a success for LDP's sake. I just wish the trailers interested me more.

[–] sslssg (28386) 5 years ago

I did watch Longmire, but it wasn't as popular as it should have been. :)

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 5 years ago

Loved it. A&E was going to cancel it after 3 seasons, so I'm thankful that Netflix stepped in and gave us 3 more.

I still wish we could've gotten more, though. With the structure of the show being largely that of an episodic procedural, it could've run for several more years in my view.

[–] snepts (11123) 5 years ago

Maybe similar to Graham Greene or Edward James Olmos, LDP was stuck in a type where he had to be that guy "of color" and it hampered him as a leading man. I'm very interested in the Sheen Brothers, and they didn't have Rocket Careers to Stardom, so I figure LDP landed where he deserved to be. You ether make it work or you get left behind. I think Lou made it work.

[–] NotoriousRio (12927) 3 years ago

For a few years he was massive, I'd love to see him in a show like Breaking Bad.

[–] Oblivioid (1249) 3 years ago

He certainly had his time in the 80's and 90's, it does seem odd that not much more became of him outside of guest appearances on TV series. He still has dashing good looks, so he's definitely still in the running for a comeback of sorts.

[–] liscarkat (16652) 3 years ago

I like Phillips but he always seems the same--depressed and angry. Tried watching "Longmire" but found the constant whinging by bitter Indians tiresome.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 2 years ago

Longmire's a great show. I very rarely watch a show twice but I am on my second go-around on that one.

I would recommend trying again.

[–] redban (5276) 2 years ago

I believe the DUI conviction hindered his career?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 2 years ago

It seems that DUI convictions in Hollywood are a dime a dozen.