---
name: "Ethan Phillips"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ethan-phillips"
fi1m_id: "ethan-phillips"
imdb_id: "nm0680392"
tmdb_id: 29445
wikidata_id: "Q435475"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 February 1955"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-23T23:00:58.056001+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ethan Phillips

## Identity

Ethan Phillips

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ethan-phillips
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ethan-phillips
- **IMDb ID:** nm0680392
- **TMDB ID:** 29445
- **Wikidata ID:** Q435475
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Phillips, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q435475, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680392/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/29445

Actor. Born 8 February 1955 in Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 February 1955, Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1988–2013
- **Also known as:** Ethan 'Johnnie' Phillips, Ethan Philips
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (2), 1990s 77 (2), 2000s 76 (2), 2010s 87 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 77 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Crime 3, Comedy 1, History 1, Music 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $60m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Phillips, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q435475, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680392/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/29445

## Biography

Ethan Phillips is an American actor. Born on 8 February 1955 in Garden City, New York, he graduated with a degree in English literature from Boston University and received an MFA from Cornell University.

He began his career in theatre in New York before moving into television and film. Phillips is known for playing Pete Downey in the sitcom *Benson* (1979–1986) and Neelix in *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995–2001). His film credits include *The Island* (2005), *Inside Llewyn Davis* (2013) as Mitch Gorfein, *Irrational Man* (2015), *Bad Santa* (2003) and *The Purge: Election Year* (2016).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *Inside Llewyn Davis* (2013), Fi1m 87, as Mitch Gorfein — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-llewyn-davis.md)
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), Fi1m 82, as Daniel Hill — [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *Bones* (2005), Fi1m 70, as Jerry Lincoln — [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), Fi1m 72, as Mark Hauser — [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Glory* (1989), Fi1m 82, as Hospital Steward — [page](https://film.one/film/glory.md)
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), Fi1m 77, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996), Fi1m 82, as Holodock Nightclub Maitre d' (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-first-contact.md)

## Complete filmography (106)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Home* (2025), as Ethan
- *Star Trek: very Short Treks* (2023), series, as Neelix (voice)
- *1* (2020), as Boss
- *Avenue 5* (2020), series, as Spike Martin
- *The Circuit* (2019), Actor
- *The Price for Silence* (2018), as Mayor Winston
- *New Amsterdam* (2018), series, as Dan Marken
- *Most Likely to Murder* (2018), as Billy's Dad
- *Future '38* (2017), as Dr. Elcourt
- *Miles* (2017), as Mr. Wilson
- *The Purge: Election Year* (2016), as Chief Couper
- *All the Way* (2016), as Joe Alsop
- *Cozmo's* (2016), as Cozmo
- *The Murder Pact* (2015), as Professor
- *Irrational Man* (2015), as Jill's Father
- *Younger* (2015), series, as Paul
- *Better Call Saul* (2015), series, as Judge Benedict Munninger — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md)
- *The Adventures of RoboRex* (2014), as Randy Jenkins / Professor Apocalypse
- *Audrey* (2014), as Donny
- *Inside Llewyn Davis* (2013), as Mitch Gorfein — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-llewyn-davis.md)
- *Coffin Baby* (2013), as Coroner B. Jones
- *Arachnoquake* (2012), as Roy
- *Veep* (2012), series, as Mr. Wallace — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md)
- *Shadow Witness* (2012), as Frank
- *A Night at the Silent Movie Theater* (2012), as Carlos
- *Rizzoli & Isles* (2010), series, as John J. Murray
- *The Good Guys* (2010), series, as Alfonse LaViolette
- *Dahmer vs. Gacy* (2010), as X-13
- *The Middle* (2009), series, as Chairman
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Dr. Morris Weiner — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Mental* (2009), series, Actor
- *Castle* (2009), series, as James Farnham — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *The Eastmans* (2009), as Dr. Donal Ennis
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Newsome Kirk — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Keith* (2008), as Mr. Miles
- *Big Game* (2008), as Mr. Foxx
- *The Babysitters* (2008), as Mark Wessler
- *Eli Stone* (2008), series, as Principal Ackerman
- *Hallowed Ground* (2007), as Preacher
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), series, as Daniel Hill — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *Cavemen* (2007), series, Actor
- *Chuck* (2007), series, as Woodley — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *Plugged* (2007), as Murdered Man
- *Super Sweet 16: The Movie* (2007), as Craig
- *Law Dogs* (2007), as Judge Coleman Gen
- *Have Dreams, Will Travel* (2007), as Businessman
- *California Dreaming* (2007), as Wayne Porter
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Doyle — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Love, Inc.* (2005), series, as Dr. Elliot Schmallenberg
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Jerry Lincoln — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *The War at Home* (2005), series, as Bob Cooper
- *The Island* (2005), as Jones Three Echo
- *Cerebral Print: The Secret Files* (2005), as Agent Larry Cornbloom
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Leonard Philbrick
- *Chestnut: Hero of Central Park* (2004), as Marty
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Michael Schiller — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Bad Santa* (2003), as Roger Merman
- *Arrested Development* (2003), series, as Military Officer — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as Gabe Labrador
- *Rock Me Baby* (2003), series, as The Doctor
- *Rugrats Go Wild* (2003), as Toa (voice)
- *Oliver Beene* (2003), series, as Mr. Stitt
- *Family Tree* (2003), as Dad / Troll
- *Half & Half* (2002), series, as Dr. Adelman
- *8 Simple Rules* (2002), series, as Dave
- *The Jamie Kennedy Experiment* (2002), series, Actor
- *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Ulis
- *Endsville* (2000), as Terry Festinger
- *Star Trek: Voyager - Scorpion* (2000), as Neelix
- *Star Trek: Voyager - Future's End* (2000), as Neelix
- *Star Trek: Voyager - Dark Frontier* (1999), as Neelix
- *Providence* (1999), series, as Finch
- *The Lost World* (1998), as Copy boy
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Stanley Craig
- *For Richer or Poorer* (1997), as Jerry
- *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996), as Holodock Nightclub Maitre d' (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-first-contact.md)
- *Star Trek: Voyager - Basics* (1996), as Neelix
- *Jeffrey* (1995), as Dave
- *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as Neelix
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Wally Kniver
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Bob Stewart
- *Wagons East!* (1994), as Smedly
- *The Shadow* (1994), as Nelson
- *Natural Selection* (1994), as Henry
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Dwight — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *The Man Without a Face* (1993), as Todd Lansing
- *Rain Without Thunder* (1993), as Gynecologist
- *Condition: Critical* (1992), as Randy
- *Critters 3* (1991), as Deputy (archive footage)
- *Green Card* (1990), as Mr. Gorsky
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Mark Hauser — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Glory* (1989), as Hospital Steward — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/glory.md)
- *Bloodhounds of Broadway* (1989), as Basil Valentine
- *Lean On Me* (1989), as Mr. Rosenberg
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), series, Actor — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Dr. Farek — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Werewolf* (1987), series, as Eddie Armondo
- *Burglar* (1987), as Bartender at Parker's on Fifth
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Sam Waibel, Marvin Pick
- *Critters* (1986), as Jeff Barnes
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as (segment "Devil's Alphabet")
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as State Department Man
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Basil Valentine
- *Ragtime* (1981), as Guard at Family House
- *Hart to Hart* (1979), series, Actor
- *Benson* (1979), series, as Pete Downey

## Gallery

- ![From left to right: Dominic Keating, Michael Dorn, Ethan Phillips, DragonCon 2008](https://film.one/media/person/120550/gallery-9fabcd230b83.jpg) From left to right: Dominic Keating, Michael Dorn, Ethan Phillips, DragonCon 2008 — Hillary from Atlanta, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/DragonCon_2008%2C_Keating%2C_Dorn%2C_Phillips.jpg/1280px-DragonCon_2008%2C_Keating%2C_Dorn%2C_Phillips.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![American actor Ethan Phillips at FedCon XI in Bonn, Germany, 2003.](https://film.one/media/person/120550/gallery-5fa8d9f13d4e.jpg) American actor Ethan Phillips at FedCon XI in Bonn, Germany, 2003. — Diane Krauss (DianeAnna), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Ethan_Phillips.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ethan Phillips at the Paradise City Comic Con in 2016](https://film.one/media/person/120550/gallery-d57523420cda.jpg) Ethan Phillips at the Paradise City Comic Con in 2016 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Ethan_Phillips_%2831582537976%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ethan Phillips at the Paradise City Comic Con in 2016](https://film.one/media/person/120550/gallery-efac9ce1498f.jpg) Ethan Phillips at the Paradise City Comic Con in 2016 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Ethan_Phillips_%2832382306053%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ethan Phillips at Fan Expo 2011 in Toronto](https://film.one/media/person/120550/gallery-c69888bb334d.jpg) Ethan Phillips at Fan Expo 2011 in Toronto — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Ethan_Phillips_%287560076284%29.jpg/1280px-Ethan_Phillips_%287560076284%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![FedCon 22, 9. Mai bis 12. Mai 2013, Maritim-Hotel Düsseldorf](https://film.one/media/person/120550/gallery-e2c93d257562.jpg) FedCon 22, 9. Mai bis 12. Mai 2013, Maritim-Hotel Düsseldorf — Crosa from Nuernberg, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Ethan_Phillips_%288734859343%29.jpg/1280px-Ethan_Phillips_%288734859343%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ethan-phillips