Monday, May 19, 2004 3 p.m. ET

On May 27, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release a 3-pack DVD collection of films featuring Lou Diamond Phillips including his motion picture debut in La Bamba, The Big Hit and the recent horror thriller Bats. Chat with the actor about the collection and his newer projects.

Missed the chat? Read the transcript below:

Washington, DC: What has been your greatest role that you have played? And what did you get out of that role?

Lou Diamond Phillips: I don't have a particular favorite, but a few stand out because they challenged me as an actor, like when I was in theater. Ritchie in La Bamba, Angel in Stand and Deliver, and Courage Under Fire and The King and I. The role in The Big Hit was a blast, since it was so broad.

Germantown, MD: If you were have a career other than acting, what would it be and why?

Lou Diamond Phillips: I've always wanted to be an actor in films, so I'm living my dream. If I weren't doing this I would have been a writer,which I dabble in from time to time. I've written for stage and screen too. Or I would have been an acting teacher. I still lecture and guest direct today. Springfield, VA: How did growing up Asian American affect to the success you have today? Lou Diamond Phillips: It was never an issue for me being Asian American and ethnic. I was raised a Navy brat, and I've always considered myself to be just an American. My whole career has been an attempt not to be pigeonholed. If I only went for roles I was genetically appropriate for I'd never work!

Twentynine Palms, Calif.: What was it like working with Ron Shelton in your latest film?

Lou Diamond Phillips: I love Ron Shelton. I'm a huge fan of his, and working with Harrison Ford was a jolt as well! It's a small but effective role. I hope it leads to another opportunity to work with Ron. We've known each other for years. I used to play poker with him. It was nice to rekindle an old friendship.

Atlanta, GA: How is the music side of your career going..still performing? Also, since one of my favorite movies of your's is Courage Under Fire (1996), how was it like working with an ansemble cast? I thought you dominated the screen in this film, even with Denzel Washington's presence in a lot of your sceens!

Lou Diamond Phillips: I haven't been able to perform a lot lately. It's limited to getting up after a couple of beers in blues bars. I truly enjoy it, and I write music on occasion. I believe on the Bats DVD is a song I wrote they used for the outtakes (I don't perform it).

The pressure was on to bring our A-game on in Courage Under Fire, as you'd expect when working with Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington. It was one of the most comfortable situations Ive ever been in.

Kansas City, MO: Did you meet Richie Valen's family while filming to get insight and what are they doing now?

Lou Diamond Phillips: I got very close to his family during the filming. There was a family representative every day on the set. When I got the role, I had to fly back to Texas to pack a bag, and Bob Morales, Ritchie's brother, picked me up at the airport. On the first day of filming, Ritchie's mom (who's no longer with us) was banging on the door to get me to work! Unfortunately I havn't seen them for a while, but I hope they're doing well.

Long Beach, CA: Great 3-pack that covers quite a range. It's also great that all the titles have so many extras. What was your favorite project in the set to go back to and revisit?

Lou Diamond Phillips: I truly love every one of the films in there. It's been a great trip down memory lane, since La Bamba was 17 years ago (which makes me feel old!). I'm really glad that The Big Hit and Bats will be getting a wider audience, especially TBH, since that's one of the few opportunities people will get to see me playing comedy.

Dallas, TX: It's great to see an actor of your talent in a cool & fun movie like Bats. What was your experience working on a movie with CGI?

Lou Diamond Phillips: It's amazing, since there was only one real bat in the movie! There was one night when we were shooting in Magda, Utah, and about 500 people came to watch. I had to flail around and shoot a gun pretending I was being attacked. I felt like Martin Landau in Ed Wood! I thought I'm a 38-year old man, and this is what I do for a living!

Costa Mesa, CA: What projects are coming up for you?

Lou Diamond Phillips: I can be seen in Hollywood Homicide on June 13, and I just finished a film for TBS called Red Water that is an action thriller shark movie with Coolio and Kristie Swanson. I think it's very good. That'll air on August 10th

Newport Beach, CA: Big fan of the Big Hit. I read your credits, and you're going to be in Hollywood Homicide. What's your role?

Lou Diamond Phillips: It's a very funny role! I play a vice cop who's a friend of Harrison's. I'm in drag through most of my performance.

Seattle, WA: Do you have plans to direct any time soon? BTW, very cool to see you in 24 last season.

Lou Diamond Phillips: I would hope to direct soon, but unfortunately it takes more time and pays less than acting. Recently I directed episodes of the Twilight Zone and Resurrection Boulevard.

Neptune, New Jersey: Your 3-pack definitely shows you can handle any genre and even raise it up to new levels. What inspired you to become an actor?

Lou Diamond Phillips: A genetic defect! I did my 31st play in the sixth grade, and the bug just bit me. I performed a lot in high school plays and majored in drama in college. It has been my passion for most of my life. I would say to anyone that has a dream that it certainly can be done.

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