Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Rice.
Hi Phil, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Rochester, New York and raised in the Detroit, Michigan area. I was fortunate to have the love and support of my parents and older brother who always encouraged me to follow my dreams. From a young age, I was comfortable being out front and was drawn to the big stage. I began acting in school plays and local theatre then set my goal to acting on the big screen. I knew if I put my mind to it, I could achieve anything. With hard work and perseverance, I was blessed to be accepted into the University of Michigan, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting. One of the earliest, most memorable roles I played was Anthony, in a play titled “Spirit of Detroit,” about the 1967 uprisings in Detroit. This production caused many to sit up and take note of my talents. The overwhelmingly-positive response of this play led to me receiving an invitation to perform it at The National Arts Club in New York City. Through grit and sheer will, I landed my first-ever TV role on police drama Chicago P.D. It was then that I decided to accept the rare opportunity to join SAG-AFTRA, the union for screen actors.
After experiencing success at the University of Michigan and in Detroit, New York, and Chicago, I was ready to make the big move to the City of Angels – Los Angeles. I finally got a big break by landing a role on Empire, alongside popular Hollywood names, such as Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. This role opened up a lot of doors for me, and it served as a catalyst for me getting signed as an accomplished actor in LA. So, I made the big move to Los Angeles in 2017. After a year of making my mark in Hollywood, Chicago called me back and I booked my biggest role to date, on the show where it all started, Chicago P.D. I was flown out to Chicago from LA for filming, and I smiled the whole way there thinking to myself…”My dream was finally coming true… and I am in the mix with top stars and talent!” Pre-COVID, I began visiting schools and telling my story through a coloring book, of my own creation, which can be found on dudelifestyle.com. “The Lord Drippington Coloring Book” is based on my journey from Detroit to Chicago to LA. During every school visit, the students share their dreams and color a page from the book. While the student’s zone in on “how” they are going to make their dreams a reality, the page from “The Lord Drippington Coloring Book” slowly fills with color and life, demonstrating “how” all it takes is a little hard work and focus to flood your life with vibrant blessings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to success is always paved with obstacles and potential barriers. Getting my foot in the door of professional acting was extremely difficult and every step that I took was a risk. I often drove back and forth between Chicago and Detroit in one day for auditions, totaling ten hours of driving per day. It took a lot of hard work and persistence to land an agent and a manager in LA. And to keep it real, my passion for acting led to me investing a lot of money in traveling to and from LA in hopes of landing acting gigs, with no guarantee that it would pay off. Yet, I knew I was doing the right thing because every time I came to this great City of Angels, it felt like heaven was smiling down on me. Juggling roles has become a part of my life and despite occasional exhaustion, I always remember to be eternally grateful for all that God has blessed me with.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to my acting career, I am a hip hop recording artist. My single “Slide” debuted on Chicago hip hop radio station Power 92 Radio, this year which was very exciting. I am also the CEO of my own fashion brand, Dude Lifestyle. And I love being creative with technology too, which has led me to develop mobile apps for clients all over the world. I am most proud of the fact that I never gave up on my dream. When things get tough, I don’t run. Thats how I operate in all aspects of my life whether it be my career, art, or friendships. Anybody can keep faith when things are going as planned, but it’s the moments of uncertainty that truly test our character. I could have given up and got a regular job. But, I chose to stick with my passion and I’m very glad that I did. What makes me unique is that I am comfortable taking risks. I understand that you will have to do something different and sometimes “scary” to get what you’ve never gotten before. Iron sharpens iron, and I hope to inspire the next generation and have a positive impact on the lives of others.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I have always kept my feet planted firmly on the ground and I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to do so. I always remember where I came from and I want nothing more than to give back to the world and inspire future generations, which is why I visited schools Pre-COVID. And this is the reason why I continue to collaborate with schools on a remote basis to inspire students to follow their dreams. I know that love endures all and that is why I encourage children and adults to do what they love. My story is a Masterclass on remaining true to yourself and your goals. Never giving up on your dreams and believing in yourself is the key to a happy and successful life. If I can do it, so can you!
Contact Info:
- Email: philricetv@gmail.com
- Website: dudelifestyle.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/flomein
- Facebook: facebook.com/flomein
