Joseph C. Phillips facts for kids

Joseph Connor Phillips (born January 17, 1962) is an American actor, writer, and commentator. He is most famous for playing Martin Kendall on the popular TV show The Cosby Show. He also played the character Justus Ward on the soap opera General Hospital.

Besides acting, Phillips writes and shares his opinions on news and politics. He is a conservative, which means he holds certain political views, and is a member of the Republican Party.

Early Life and Education

Joseph C. Phillips was born in Denver, Colorado. When he was young, his mother passed away. He then became very close with his cousin's mother.

For college, he first went to the University of the Pacific. He later moved to New York University to study acting. He graduated in 1983 with a degree in acting. While in college, he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a social organization for college students.

In 2022, Phillips became a professor at Clark Atlanta University, where he teaches theater and communications.

Acting Career

Starting on Stage and TV

After graduating, Phillips began his career in theater. He acted in plays in different cities across the United States. One of his first major roles was in the play Dreaming Emmett, written by the famous author Toni Morrison.

He soon started appearing in TV commercials. His first TV acting roles were on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow and an early episode of The Cosby Show.

Famous Roles

Four years after his first appearance, Phillips returned to The Cosby Show in a much bigger role. From 1989 to 1991, he played Lieutenant Martin Kendall, the husband of the character Denise Huxtable. This became the role he is best known for.

From 1994 to 1998, he had another major role on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. He played the lawyer Justus Ward. For this role, he was nominated three times for an NAACP Image Award.

Over the years, Phillips has appeared in many other TV shows, including:

• A Different World
• Martin
• Living Single
• The King of Queens
• Without a Trace
• Bones
• Castle
• 13 Reasons Why
• Criminal Minds

Writing and Charity Work

Commentator and Author

Phillips is a political commentator, which means he shares his conservative opinions on the radio and in writing. He has written a weekly column for newspapers and appeared on NPR radio.

In 2006, he wrote a book about his life called He Talk Like a White Boy. In the book, he discusses his experiences and his conservative beliefs.

Community Involvement

Phillips is an ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Sickle cell disease is a serious illness that affects red blood cells. He often speaks about the disease to raise awareness.

He has also been involved in many other groups. He was appointed to the board of the California African American Museum and was named a Lincoln Fellow by the Claremont Institute, a group that studies politics and government.

Personal Life

Phillips is from Colorado. He married his wife, Nicole, in 1994, and they have three sons named Connor, Ellis, and Samuel. The couple divorced in 2019.