Phill Lewis

Not to be confused with Phil Lewis (musician).

Phill Lewis
Lewis in 2006
Born
Phillip David Lewis

(1968-02-14) February 14, 1968 (age 56)
Arua, Uganda
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • television director
Years active1986–present
SpouseMegan Benton Lewis
Children2
Parents

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.

Early life

Lewis 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

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. Lewis guest appeared in “227” as “Ken” in season 2, episode 7.

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

In 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

Lewis is married to Megan Benton Lewis and has two daughters. He is Catholic[10]

Filmography

Film

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

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

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 2 episodes
Extended Family Episode: "The Consequences of Familial Obligations"
Poppa's House Episode: "Disciplinarian"

References

  1. ^ Phill Lewis Biography (1968–). Accessed December 12, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Photos, Bio and News for Phill Lewis. TVGuide.com. Accessed December 12, 2012.
  3. ^ Lewis, Phill [@ThePhillLewis] (February 14, 2019). "[video]" (Tweet). Retrieved March 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Delano E. Lewis, country director for the Peace Corps in Nigeria and Uganda from 1966 to 1969. Peace Corps Online. Accessed December 12, 2012.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "'Teech' star convicted of vehicular manslaughter'". Variety. November 22, 1992. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Phill Lewis Gets Year In Jail For Drunken Driving Death". Orlando Sentinel. January 23, 1993. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  10. ^ 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.