LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS: Biggest Shock with La Bamba, Returning to Young Guns & Most Humbling Moment

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

Lou Diamond Phillips had just one week to learn all of Richie Valens' songs and guitar sync for La Bamba, terrified every day.

Host Michael Rosenbaum welcomes actor Lou Diamond Phillips to the podcast. Phillips begins by discussing his experience on the convention circuit, comparing it to meeting fans after theater performances. He shares his background, including being named after a Marine gunnery sergeant and his upbringing with a Navy stepfather in Texas. Phillips recalls his father's initial skepticism about his acting career and the pivotal moment his father acknowledged his talent after seeing his first film. He talks about his acting idols, citing De Niro, Pacino, and Hoffman as inspirations. The core of the interview focuses on Phillips' breakthrough role in La Bamba. He describes the random audition in Dallas, the extended screen test process in California, and the moment director Luis Valdez offered him the part. Phillips reveals he was paid scale for the film and had to learn all the songs and guitar parts in one week. He explains how booking a Miami Vice episode led to Edward James Olmos recommending him for Stand and Deliver. Phillips discusses getting the role in Young Guns as an offer without an audition. He reflects on the ensemble dynamic on set, with no major egos among the cast. Phillips confirms he said yes to a potential Young Guns 3 script written by Emilio Estevez, though production is stalled. The conversation shifts to mental health, with Phillips sharing his experiences with therapy, insecurities, and relying on family as a north star. He talks about dealing with difficult people on set, emphasizing respect for crew members. Phillips mentions his diverse creative pursuits, including writing a novel with his wife and directing. He answers fan questions about La Bamba, his favorite memories from Young Guns, and working with Patrick Swayze on The Beast while Swayze was undergoing chemotherapy. Phillips also shares a story about Bill Paxton trying to help him win back an ex-girlfriend. The episode concludes with Phillips discussing items he kept from films, including the green guitar from La Bamba.

As heard by us

A candid look at how La Bamba helped open a wider film career.

Lou Diamond Phillips revisits the run around La Bamba, when a Miami Vice meeting helped lead him toward Stand and Deliver and an offer for Young Guns.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get the career domino story: an unknown kid from Texas, La Bamba still unreleased, Miami Vice putting him in the room for Stand and Deliver.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum