Charming character actor who, after spending a career as an accountant and raising four children as a single mother, retired at age 65 and returned to school at the University of Washington to study acting. Previously experienced in community theater, Phillips secured herself an agent and very soon thereafter appeared in the TV-movie "Chase" (1985). She acted in several other projects including the feature film "Waiting for the Light" (1990) and received her big break when cast for a one-time appearance on the series premiere of the Alaska-set CBS comedy-drama "Northern Exposure" that same year. Phillips was subsequently hired to reprise her role as crusty, no-nonsense but sensible and compassionate store owner Ruth-Anne in a recurring slot, and her likably weathered features and relaxed warmth soon proved to be such an indelible part of the ensemble that she was made a series regular. As fiesty in real life as she was on screen, Phillips often penned her own dialogue, such as in one episode in which her character was criticized for smoking: "I've been smoking since I was 13 years old, and during the Eisenhower administration I peaked at three packs a day. I'm not about to stop now." She also bucked convention at the Emmys when she arrived as a best supporting actress nominee in 1993 in blue jeans, a red and white checked blouse, blue suspenders and brown sandals. After "Northern Exposure" folded in 1995, Phillips continued to appear frequently on network television in guest spots on such series as "Touched by an Angel," "ER," "Suddenly Susan" and "Boston Common." In 1997 she made her first appearence as Mrs. Hinkle on the WB's family-friendly series "Seventh Heaven" and would reprise the role again on several subsequent episodes. At age 81 the actress was struck by a car and suffered a broken hip and wrist, but bounced back admirably. An unrepentant smoker, Phillips died in 2002 of lung disease at age 84.
Profession(s):
Actor, accountant
Sometimes Credited As:
Education
The Juilliard School New York, New York
University of Washington Seattle, Washington theater
1997 Began recurring role as Mrs. Hinkle on "Seventh Heaven"
1996 Guest-starred on "Suddenly Susan" and "Boston Common"
1994 Appeared as Natty in telepic "How the West Was Fun"
1994 Guest-starred on "Touched by an Angel" and "ER"
1990 Cast as Ruth-Anne Miller, the crusty storeowner on "Northern Exposure"
1990 Made feature film debut in small supporting role in "Waiting for the Light", starring Shirley MacLaine and Teri Garr
1985 First TV-movie, "Chase"
1984 Returned to school to study acting at age 65; got an agent her freshman year (date approximate)
Was raised in Washington State
Later lived in Southern California and Hawaii; was residing in Honolulu when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941
Lived in New York City for a time while she was studying piano at Juilliard
Worked as an accountant while raising four children in the Bay area of San Francisco; acted on the side in community theater
