Interview - Playbill April 2008

I'm still gathering copies of all magazine, newspaper conventions, and websites that Ethan has done interviews for. If you have paper or online copy of any interview (or know which magazines so I can look it up) please let me know through the contact form on this site. Thank you.

Larry Feldman is the name Phillips created for his character, known only as "Turkey Guy." Explains Phillips, "The genesis of the play was when David Mamet was flying first class, and on board the plane were guarded turkeys that were going to be pardoned [by the president at Thanksgiving time]."

Notes Phillips, "I replaced Nathan at Manhattan Theatre Club and at the Mark Taper [in Los Angeles] in Lips Together, Teeth Apart. Before rehearsals [for November], Nathan was talking to Victor Garber, saying, 'We can't find a guy to play the Turkey Guy.' Victor said, 'What about Ethan Phillips?' Nathan said, 'That's a great idea.' I owe Victor Garber."

On TV, Phillips has had several credits, including two stints on series: He was Pete Downey on 96 episodes (1980-84) of "Benson," and played Neelix on 171 episodes (1995-2001) of "Star Trek: Voyager." Notes Phillips, "Neelix was an alien, covered in rubber. At the end, I figured out with my makeup guy that I spent 2,300 hours on the makeup chair." There are usually Trekkies at the stage door. "It's fun to chat with them for a second."

Married since 1990 to Patricia Cresswell, the actor has five sisters. His grandfather started the Manhattan steak house, Frankie & Johnnie's "in 1921. My father took over and ran it until 1985. None of us [he and his siblings] wanted to be a restaurateur, so my father sold it."

Phillips praises Nathan Lane: "I've never met a more playful, braver, or funnier actor. He's just f--king extraordinary! Acting with him is like taking a thousand classes. We [Phillips, Laurie Metcalf, Dylan Baker, and Michael Nichols] root Nathan, who's like a cyclone. He never changes lines, but you never know which way he's going to go. It's very exciting out there."