In his series "Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers" (1956), the story of the British Cavalry unit, Phil's lead character was made Canadian instead of British because the New Jersey-born actor had difficulty perfecting an English accent.
Was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2006.
Was offered the part of Asa Buchanan on "One Life to Live" (1968) on the strength of his unsuccessful audition for Palmer Cortlandt on the soap "All My Children" (1970).