Harold Phillips has worked professionally in theatre, film and television for over 25 years. In that time, he's built a reputation for his commitment to the characters he plays and his efforts to strengthen the film and theatre industries in the cities he's worked in.

Harold's life began on December 28th, 1970 in Frankfurt, Germany. Born into a military family, his childhood was spent in places around the U.S., including El Paso, Texas; Chaparral, New Mexico; White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Anchorage, Alaska. He also spent a signicant period of his early life in Europe, living in Kaiserslautern, Germany and traveling with his family extensively.

His love for acting began on one of these European trips. When Harold was 11 his family visited London, where they saw a production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew in Regent's Park. He was enthralled by the non-traditional production, and decided to try his own hand at acting.

School and Community Theatre productions followed, as well as individual lessons and classes. By the time he started high school in Anchorage, Alaska, Harold had already appeared in many productions and had technical experience running lights, sound, and backstage crew.

Harold was fortunate enough to attend East Anchorage High School, a school noted for its commitment to theatrical excellence. East High's drama teacher, Jacqueline Lynne, encouraged her students to take a hands-on approach in creating theatre; as a result, Harold spent his high school years acting, directing and, as Thespian president, producing the school's plays.

During this time, Harold continued to perform in community theatre productions, and secured his first professional role at 16 with Anchorage's now defunct Synergy Dinner Theatre. He also signed with a local agent and appeared in television commercials and a public service film (shown at schools throughout Alaska) about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

By his high school graduation Harold had decided to make acting his life's work. He enrolled at the University of Alaska at Anchorage in 1989 and quickly found a place in the college's Department of Theatre and Dance. While at UAA he began his training in stage combat, and became a certified member of the Society of American Fight Directors. This work has continued over the years, with Harold performing and choreographing many on-stage and on-film fights.

After three years at UAA Harold transferred to Western Washington University, reasoning that he would have more professional success if he finished school near an area with a theatre and film industry.

His plans to finish college at Western and work in the Seattle area went awry, however, when he met his future wife Trish Egan while performing in the college's summer stock program. After a year's long-distance courtship, Trish convinced Harold to join her in Portland, OR and finish his academic career at the University of Portland, her alma mater.

In the years since college, Harold secured representation through Arthouse Talent and Literary and has appeared in a number of film, commercial, and industrial projects shot in and around the Portland area. He has also worked in a variety of Portland-area theatres, including the Miracle Theatre Co., Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre Company, CoHo Productions, Northwest Children's Theatre, and many others.

Harold has worked hard to strengthen Portland's theatre community and broaden its visibility. In 1995 he and his wife Trish Egan served for eight months as co-presidents of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance. Harold currently administers two listservs dedicated to supporting Portland-area theatre: the PDXOnstage and PDXBackstage yahoogroup listservs.

He continues to live and work in Portland and to promote the strengths of the city's artistic community to anyone who will listen.

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