Phil Morris
Encyclopedia
Phillip Morris is an American television and movie actor most famous for his portrayal of Jackie Chiles
in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld
and John Jones in The CW sci-fi series Smallville
.
and Leona Morris (née Keyes), was born on April 4, 1959 (Charleston South Carolina). He is also the younger brother of actress Iona Morris
. Morris is also a practitioner of Wing Chun kung fu under Sifu Hawkins Cheung.
episode "Miri
". Star Trek was, at the time, shot at the same studio that produced Mission: Impossible, where his father was working. He made his feature film debut in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
in a small role and later guest-starred on Babylon 5
, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
, and Star Trek: Voyager
.
In the mid-1980s, he portrayed law student (later attorney) Tyrone Jackson
on the CBS
daytime drama The Young and the Restless
. During a major storyline, his character used heavy theatrical make-up to appear Caucasian
, in order to go undercover to expose an organized crime organization.
In the 1990s, Morris played a recurring character, the Johnnie Cochran
-inspired defense attorney Jackie Chiles
, on the hit comedy Seinfeld
.
Also in the 1990s, Morris co-starred in the remake of Mission: Impossible
as tech wizard Grant Collier (son of Barney Collier, who was played in the original series
by Morris' real-life father Greg Morris).
Morris voiced the supporting role of Dr. Sweet in Disney's 2001 film Atlantis: The Lost Empire
as well as its 2003 sequel, Atlantis: Milo's Return
.
Morris played one of Will Smith
's college professors on the NBC
show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
and played Dr. Clay Spencer on the then-UPN
television show Girlfriends
.
In the January 25, 2007, episode of the The CW television series Smallville
, Morris also portrayed the DC Comics
superhero
The Martian Manhunter/John Jones
, which is a recurring but small character in the series so far. He reprised that role on the show's sixth season finale on May 17, 2007, as well as the episodes "Bizarro" and "Cure" in the seventh season and the episodes "Odyssey", "Prey" and "Bulletproof" in the eighth season. He reprised this role in the ninth season episodes "Absolute Justice", "Checkmate" and "Salvation".
As a voice actor, he portrayed the villains Imperiex
on Legion of Superheroes, and as the Immortal Caveman Vandal Savage
on Justice League
and Justice League Unlimited
. He appeared on one episode each of the series CSI: Miami
and Seven Days. Though largely unnoticed, Morris also was the voice of Paul the Apostle in Zondervan's The Bible Experience. Morris also made a cameo appearance as the late Miles Dyson in photographs in the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. He played the voice of the character 'Doc Saturday' in the animated show The Secret Saturdays
. He also played a major supporting role in the PlayStation 2
game Ratchet: Deadlocked
, Merc, one of the combat bots that accompany Ratchet during his journey. He also voiced the character of "Thurgood Stubbs" on the animated show The PJs
, after Eddie Murphy's departure. He did several voices in the animated film Dead Space: Downfall (2008)
as Hansen and Glenn.
Jackie Chiles
Jackie Chiles is a fictional character portrayed by American actor Phil Morris in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. He appears in the series' seventh through ninth seasons as Cosmo Kramer's lawyer.-Character:...
in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
and John Jones in The CW sci-fi series Smallville
Smallville (TV series)
Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network , premiering on October...
.
Personal life
Morris, the son of Greg MorrisGreg Morris
Francis Gregory Alan "Greg" Morris was an American television and movie actor.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Morris began his acting career in the 1960s making guest appearances on many TV shows such as The Twilight Zone and Ben Casey...
and Leona Morris (née Keyes), was born on April 4, 1959 (Charleston South Carolina). He is also the younger brother of actress Iona Morris
Iona Morris
Iona Marie Morris is daughter to actor Greg Morris and older sister to actor Phil Morris. She is primarily an American voice actress but has also performed numerous times on television in speaking roles. She was the original voice of Storm in the X-Men and Spider-Man animated series...
. Morris is also a practitioner of Wing Chun kung fu under Sifu Hawkins Cheung.
Career
Morris' first acting role was as a child when he appeared in the 1966 Star TrekStar Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
episode "Miri
Miri (TOS episode)
"Miri" is the eighth episode of the first season of Star Trek: The Original Series, that was first broadcast October 27, 1966, and repeated June 29, 1967...
". Star Trek was, at the time, shot at the same studio that produced Mission: Impossible, where his father was working. He made his feature film debut in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a 1984 motion picture released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the third feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the center of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and concludes with Star Trek IV:...
in a small role and later guest-starred on Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, and Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
.
In the mid-1980s, he portrayed law student (later attorney) Tyrone Jackson
Tyrone Jackson
Tyrone Jackson is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role was portrayed by Phil Morris, son of actor Greg Morris from the 1966-1973 espionage television series Mission: Impossible. Phil Morris appeared as Tyrone from 1984 to 1986.-Fictional character...
on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
daytime drama The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
. During a major storyline, his character used heavy theatrical make-up to appear Caucasian
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
, in order to go undercover to expose an organized crime organization.
In the 1990s, Morris played a recurring character, the Johnnie Cochran
Johnnie Cochran
Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. was an American lawyer best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J...
-inspired defense attorney Jackie Chiles
Jackie Chiles
Jackie Chiles is a fictional character portrayed by American actor Phil Morris in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. He appears in the series' seventh through ninth seasons as Cosmo Kramer's lawyer.-Character:...
, on the hit comedy Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
.
Also in the 1990s, Morris co-starred in the remake of Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible (1988 TV series)
Mission: Impossible is an American television series that chronicles the missions of a team of secret American government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force . The show is a revival of the 1966 TV series of the same name...
as tech wizard Grant Collier (son of Barney Collier, who was played in the original series
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is an American television series which was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicled the missions of a team of secret American government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force . The leader of the team was Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, except in...
by Morris' real-life father Greg Morris).
Morris voiced the supporting role of Dr. Sweet in Disney's 2001 film Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Written by Tab Murphy, directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, and produced by Don Hahn, it is the first science fiction film in the Disney animated features canon and the 41st overall. The film...
as well as its 2003 sequel, Atlantis: Milo's Return
Atlantis: Milo's Return
Atlantis: Milo's Return, released in 2003, is Disney's twentieth animated direct-to-video sequel. It is a sequel to the film Atlantis: The Lost Empire....
.
Morris played one of Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
's college professors on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
and played Dr. Clay Spencer on the then-UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
television show Girlfriends
Girlfriends
Girlfriends is an American comedy-drama sitcom that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008...
.
In the January 25, 2007, episode of the The CW television series Smallville
Smallville (TV series)
Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network , premiering on October...
, Morris also portrayed the DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
The Martian Manhunter/John Jones
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
, which is a recurring but small character in the series so far. He reprised that role on the show's sixth season finale on May 17, 2007, as well as the episodes "Bizarro" and "Cure" in the seventh season and the episodes "Odyssey", "Prey" and "Bulletproof" in the eighth season. He reprised this role in the ninth season episodes "Absolute Justice", "Checkmate" and "Salvation".
As a voice actor, he portrayed the villains Imperiex
Imperiex
Imperiex is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Superman #153 , and was created by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill...
on Legion of Superheroes, and as the Immortal Caveman Vandal Savage
Vandal Savage
Vandal Savage is a fictional character, a supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 1 #10 , and was created by Alfred Bester and Martin Nodell....
on Justice League
Justice League (TV series)
Justice League is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Cartoon Network. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics...
and Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
. He appeared on one episode each of the series CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
and Seven Days. Though largely unnoticed, Morris also was the voice of Paul the Apostle in Zondervan's The Bible Experience. Morris also made a cameo appearance as the late Miles Dyson in photographs in the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. He played the voice of the character 'Doc Saturday' in the animated show The Secret Saturdays
The Secret Saturdays
The Secret Saturdays is an American animated television series created by Canadian cartoonist Jay Stephens for Cartoon Network. It debuted on October 3, 2008, in the United States...
. He also played a major supporting role in the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game Ratchet: Deadlocked
Ratchet: Deadlocked
Ratchet: Deadlocked is a platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony. Released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005...
, Merc, one of the combat bots that accompany Ratchet during his journey. He also voiced the character of "Thurgood Stubbs" on the animated show The PJs
The PJs
The PJs is an American stop-motion animated television series created by Eddie Murphy, Larry Wilmore, and Steve Tompkins. It portrayed life in an urban public housing project, modeled after the Brewster-Douglass housing projects in Detroit that once housed Diana Ross & Lilly Tomlin...
, after Eddie Murphy's departure. He did several voices in the animated film Dead Space: Downfall (2008)
Dead Space: Downfall
Dead Space: Downfall is an animated film, a prequel to the game Dead Space and takes place during the events of Dead Space: Extraction, while the Necromorphs invade the USG Ishimura after it receives the Red Marker...
as Hansen and Glenn.
External links
- Phil Morris at the Internet Movie Database
- Phil Morris Interview at Abnormal Use