Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Phil was an apprentice and member of Theatre West founded by Caroll O'Connor. Other members of the company included Chazz Palmentari , Leslie Caveny and Pat Crawford Brown. Phil produced his first indie feature film, "4 A.M." at age 25. He later produced the play, "Surprise, Surprise" starring Dawn Wells which was later made into a feature film that starred Deborah Shelton.