09/01/2026
OSF is saddened to share that long-time former performing company member J.P. Phillips passed away this August.
In the words of Artistic Director Tim Bond:
J.P. was a beloved and prolific acting company member who performed in over 50 shows here at OSF during his 22 seasons. He had a booming bass/baritone voice that filled any theatre he was in with dulcet tones of sweet poetry. Because truth came out every time he opened his mouth onstage, some of us lovingly referred to him as "Buddha" or "Truth."
His roles were diverse, acting in plays from a number of playwrights ranging from Shakespeare to Kaufman & Hart, Lorraine Hansberry to Athol Fugard, Eugene O’Neill to August Wilson. I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to direct J.P. in five different productions during the years we overlapped here.
J.P was always a consummate professional, generous to his fellow collaborators, always full of smiles and lots of easy humor, and an absolute joy to work with. He was known for his incredible generosity to his fellow actors and audience members alike, his wonderful sense of humor, and notably that unforgettable, large, bellowed laugh. We always knew he was “in the audience (house)” and appreciated his support. He was a quintessential OSF acting company member: great with language, open-hearted, and always left an indelible memory with an audience.
He will be deeply missed.
Longtime Oregon Shakespeare Festival stalwart J.P. Phillips has died at 86
Story here: https://ashland.news/longtime-oregon-shakespeare-festival-stalwart-j-p-phillips-has-died-at-86/
