Michelle Phillips facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michelle Phillips
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Michelle Phillips in 1977
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| Born |
Holly Michelle Gilliam
June 4, 1944 Long Beach, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1965–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Robert Burch
(m. 1978; div. 1979) |
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| Children | 3, including Chynna Phillips |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | A&M |
| Signature | |
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Michelle Phillips (born Holly Michelle Gilliam on June 4, 1944) is an American singer and actress. She became famous in the mid-1960s as one of the two female singers in the popular group The Mamas & the Papas. Her voice was known for being very clear and pure. After her music career, she became a successful actress in movies and on television starting in the 1970s.
Michelle Phillips was born in Long Beach, California. She grew up in Los Angeles and Mexico City, raised by her father after her mother passed away. While working as a model in San Francisco, she met John Phillips. They married in 1962 and later helped start The Mamas & the Papas in 1965. The band became very popular with songs like "California Dreamin'" and "Creeque Alley", which she helped write. They released five albums before the group broke up in 1970. Michelle Phillips is the last original member of the band who is still alive.
After The Mamas & the Papas disbanded, Michelle Phillips started acting. She appeared in the movie The Last Movie (1971). Then, she played Billie Frechette in the crime movie Dillinger (1973). For this role, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award as a promising new actress. In 1974, she starred in two TV movies, The Death Squad and The California Kid. She continued to act in many films throughout the 1970s, including Valentino (1977) and Bloodline (1979). She also released her only solo music album, Victim of Romance, in 1977.
In the 1980s, Phillips appeared in films like The Man with Bogart's Face (1980) and the horror movie Savage Harvest (1981). In 1987, she joined the TV series Knots Landing. She played Anne Matheson until the show ended in 1993. In 1998, she was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Mamas & the Papas. In the 2000s, she continued to act in independent films and had guest roles on TV shows like That's Life and 7th Heaven.
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Early Life and Family
Michelle Phillips was born Holly Michelle Gilliam on June 4, 1944, in Long Beach, California. Her mother, Joyce Leone, was an accountant from Canada. Her father, Gardner Burnett Gilliam, was a merchant mariner. Michelle had an older sister named Russell Ann. When Michelle was five years old, her mother passed away due to heart problems.
After her mother's death, Michelle's father moved the family to Buffalo, New York, for a short time. They then returned to California, settling in Pasadena. In 1951, when Michelle was seven, her family moved to Mexico City. Her father studied sociology there using the GI Bill, a program for war veterans. Michelle lived in Mexico for six years, went to public schools, and learned to speak Spanish fluently. Spanish was her main written language during her childhood. She later learned to write in English. Michelle felt that living in a different culture helped her and her sister become strong and independent after their mother's death.
At age 13, Michelle returned to the United States with her family and settled in Los Angeles. She attended several high schools, including Alexander Hamilton High School and Marshall High School. She played sports and studied piano, guitar, and cello. During her sophomore year, she was transferred to Eagle Rock High School after some issues at Marshall High.
In 1961, at age 17, Michelle moved to San Francisco. She lived with a friend and started working as a model, appearing in ads for bathing suits. She quickly became part of San Francisco's music scene. In July 1961, she met John Phillips at a club. He was touring with his band, The Journeymen. They quickly fell in love. John divorced his first wife, and he and Michelle married on December 31, 1962, when she was 18.
Music Career
The Mamas & the Papas (1965–1969)
After marrying, Michelle and John Phillips moved to New York City. There, they started writing songs together. In 1965, they formed the group The Mamas & the Papas. Michelle helped write some of the band's biggest hits. This included "California Dreamin'", which was on their first album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966).
The band went on a short tour on the East Coast. They played shows in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and New York City.
After returning to California, the group recorded their third album, The Mamas & The Papas Deliver (1967). In June 1967, Michelle performed with the group at the Monterey Pop Festival in California. This big music event was organized by John Phillips and Lou Adler. Other famous musicians like Jefferson Airplane and Jimi Hendrix also performed. Michelle described the festival as a wonderful experience.
In August 1967, the band played their last live show at the Hollywood Bowl. Michelle then recorded a fourth album with the band, The Papas & The Mamas (1968). In February 1968, she gave birth to her daughter, Chynna Phillips. Chynna later became a singer in the 1990s group Wilson Phillips. Michelle and John's marriage ended in 1969. The Mamas & the Papas officially broke up in 1971. Their final album, People Like Us, was released to complete their record contract.
Acting Career
Starting in Film (1970–1976)
In 1969, while still with The Mamas & the Papas, Michelle Phillips acted in a science fiction film called Saturation 70. This film was never finished. After the band broke up, she started taking acting classes in Los Angeles. She wanted to begin her acting career properly. Royalties from the band's music helped her financially while she started in film.
Her first movie role was a small part in Dennis Hopper's film The Last Movie (1971). Two years later, she got a main role in the thriller Dillinger (1973). She played Billie Frechette, the girlfriend of John Dillinger. The movie was praised by critics. Variety magazine said she did very well in her first film role. Phillips was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance. She said she was lucky to work with many great actors in that movie.
In 1974, she starred in the TV movie The California Kid with Martin Sheen. She also had a small appearance in the movie Shampoo (1975). In 1975, Phillips signed a solo music contract with A&M Records. She released her first solo single, "No Love Today," in 1976. This song was on the soundtrack for the movie Mother, Jugs & Speed.
Solo Album and More Films (1977–1986)
In 1977, Michelle Phillips released her only solo album, Victim of Romance. She said she didn't release it earlier because she wasn't confident enough as a singer. She was involved in every part of making the album. Her first two solo songs from the album did not become big hits. Around the same time, she played Natacha Rambova in the film Valentino (1977).
In 1979, she appeared in the thriller film Bloodline with Audrey Hepburn. The movie received negative reviews. The same year, she sang the song "Forever" for the movie California Dreaming.
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Other films she appeared in during this time include the comedy The Man with Bogart's Face (1980) and the horror film Savage Harvest (1981). On television, Phillips played a mermaid princess in three episodes of Fantasy Island. She also appeared in TV mini-series like Aspen (1977).
In 1982, Michelle Phillips had a son named Austin Deveraux Hines. In 1983, she joined the cast of the TV series Hotel. She played the concierge, who was a spy for her father. Phillips stayed on the show until 1986. She also had a main role in the TV horror film The Covenant (1985).
In 1986, Phillips wrote her autobiography, California Dreamin': The True Story of the Mamas and the Papas. In the book, she shared stories about the band. She mentioned how her writing credit on "California Dreamin'" still earns her money, calling it "the best wake-up call" she ever had.
Knots Landing and Later Work (1987–Present)
Starting in 1987, Phillips starred in the TV show Knots Landing. She played Anne Matheson Sumner, the mother of Paige Matheson. She became a regular cast member in 1989 and stayed on the show until it ended in 1993.
In 1987, Phillips sang backup vocals on Belinda Carlisle's album Heaven on Earth. She also sang on her hit song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". In 1988, she appeared in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation as Jenice Manheim.
While on Knots Landing, Phillips continued to act in films. She had a supporting role in the gambling movie Let It Ride (1989). She also appeared in the thriller Scissors (1991) and the action thriller Joshua Tree (1993).
After Knots Landing ended in 1993, Phillips starred in the short-lived drama series Second Chances (1993–1994). She also had a main role in the 1993 TV thriller film Rubdown.
Phillips continued to appear in TV and film. She played Laura Collins in the TV movie No One Would Tell (1996). She also voiced a character on the animated series Spicy City (1997). From 1997, she played Abby Malone, the mother of Valerie Malone, on Beverly Hills, 90210. In the same year, she returned to her role as Anne Matheson in the TV film Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.
From 1999 to 2000, Phillips had a guest role on the TV series The Magnificent Seven. After 2000, she appeared in films like Jane White Is Sick & Twisted (2002) and Harry + Max (2004). She also had a recurring role on the TV drama 7th Heaven from 2001 to 2004.
In 2009, Phillips attended the TV Land Awards for the 30th anniversary of Knots Landing. She also had a small role in the Norwegian historical film Betrayal. In 2019, Phillips was interviewed for Echo in the Canyon, a documentary about the music scene in Laurel Canyon in the 1960s.
Singing Style
Michelle Phillips is known for her clear and high singing voice, called a soprano. Time magazine once called her "the purest soprano" in pop music. A 1977 Billboard review described her vocals as both "spirited and smooth." Even though she received praise, Phillips has said she was sometimes unsure about her voice. She recalled that Cass Elliot, another member of The Mamas & the Papas, encouraged her. Cass would tell her to "Just go for it!" when they had to sing very high notes.
Music Releases
The Mamas & the Papas
Solo Album
- Victim of Romance (1977)
Solo Songs
| Song | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| "Aloha Louie" | 1975 | |
| "No Love Today" | 1976 | |
| "Aching Kind" | 1977 | |
| "There She Goes" | 1978 |
Film and TV Roles
See also
In Spanish: Michelle Phillips para niños
