Phil Morris (actor)
A character actor with a lawyer's precision, he stole scenes as the flamboyant Jackie Chiles and gave voice to animated heroes.
Born 1959 (age 67)·American actor·Birthday: April 4·Baby Boomers
Biography
Phil Morris carved out a unique niche in Hollywood, often playing characters of sharp intellect and formidable presence. The son of actor Greg Morris of 'Mission: Impossible' fame, he grew up around sets but forged his own path. While he built a solid resume with guest spots on major 80s shows, it was his creation of the hilariously bombastic lawyer Jackie Chiles on 'Seinfeld' that etched him into pop culture. With his courtroom theatrics and Kramer-esque client, Morris delivered a perfect parody of legal grandstanding. This opened doors to a wider range of work, from playing the stoic Martian Manhunter in 'Smallville' to lending his rich baritone to Disney's 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire.' His career demonstrates a fascinating range, bouncing between live-action comedy, superhero drama, and voice acting, always with a signature authority and wit.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Phil was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Phil Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Phil's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Created the iconic character of lawyer Jackie Chiles on the seminal sitcom 'Seinfeld.'
- Portrayed J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, across multiple seasons of the series 'Smallville.'
- Voiced Dr. Joshua Sweet, the linguist and medic, in Disney's animated feature 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire.'
- Played Silas Stone, Cyborg's father, in the DC Universe series 'Doom Patrol.'
Did You Know?
He is the son of Greg Morris, who played Barney Collier on the original 'Mission: Impossible' series.
He appeared in two different 'Star Trek' series, playing different characters in 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' and 'Star Trek: Voyager.'
He provided the voice for the superhero Vanguard in the animated series 'The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.'
“My father was a spy on television, and I became a lawyer on Mars.”
