Lee Philips was born as Leon Friedman on January 10. 1927 in New York City, New York. His parents were Abraham & Frances Friedman from Poland and Russia, respectively. After attending public schools in Brooklyn he went to study (Bachelor of Arts) at the Adelphi College, Garden City, Long Island in New York with Harold Clurman (theatre director and drama critic). Whilst in college he started performing with an off-Broadway group Interplayers at The Circle Theatre, ....

Philips' original intention was to be a writer, but he changed to acting on the advice of veteran showman, John Golden, who saw him in a school production.

Philips majored in creative writing and after graduation (Class of 1950) he married another Adelphi graduate and actress Jean Allison on November 16. 1951.

He worked in the toy department of a New York store and in the Christmas season, in the post office. At the same time they were studying acting with Sanford Meisner.

After a first appearance in The Big Story (NBC, Oct 31. 1952) he appeared in two classic 1950s television productions: an episode of The Philco Television Playhouse: "Marty" (Goodyear/NBC, May 24. 1953) and Studio One's "12 Angry Men" (CBS, Sep 20. 1954) where, credited as Lee Phillips, he was Juror Number 5.  Surely one of the high points in the history of television. The script was re-written for the stage in 1955 and made into a movie in 1957.

As sober, good-looking dramatic actor, this Navy veteran's acting career started on Broadway where in January 1954 he made his debut with an understudy role with Mademoiselle Colombe which was short-lived. (Longacre Theatre, Jan 4. 1954 - Feb 27. 1954). In Wedding Breakfast he replaced Anthony Franciosa (48th Street Theatre, from Jan 11. 1955 until closing in Feb 26. 1955).

Jean Allison and Lee Philips, scored personal triumphs in the John Van Druten comedy The Moon is Blue, which broke box office records at the Theatre-Go-Round in Virginia Beach. His first major break came when he was cast as the artist in Time of the Cuckoo for a national touring company. First opposite Shirley Booth (one month), later with Mary Astor and then with Edna Best. His wife Jean Allison also joined the company. His marriage however didn't last they were divorced amicably. He had some success whilst performing as "the husband" in Broadway's Middle of the Night (Anta Theatre, Feb 8. 1956 - May 25. 1957).

Philips met his wife Barbara Schrader when she was a production assistant on the TV's Appointment with Adventure (Episode "Devil Beast", CBS, Mar 25. 1956) on which he was appearing. He appeared in a Off-Broadway play on December 18. called U.S.A. (Lucille Lortel Theatre) and married a few days later on December 23. 1956. On October 9. 1957 their first daughter Caitlin Meg was born. Both Philips and his wife were devoted to the poetry of Dylan Thomas and chose Thomas' wife name for their daughter.

His popularity really peaked when he played Dr. Michael Rossi in Lana Turner's film version of Peyton Place (20th Century Fox, Dec 11. 1957).  No with any difficulty. Turner's lover at the time, the notorious Johnny Stompanato, would stand behind the camera and intently watch the actress during her scenes with Lee Philips. 

Past the halfway point of The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen series (NBC, 1958), he took over as Ellery Queen from George Nader. Apparently ABC TV's Mike Wallace turned down the title role in NBC-TV's Ellery Queen - At some point (Jan 29. 1959) Gig Young was considered the lead contender for the part. Nader only knew that Lee was on of a half dozen being considered. "I know they're thinking about Alfred Drake." he said "but I think he comes too high." He also named Steve Forrest and Ron Randall among the aspirants. But when the series switched to production in New York, Lee Philips took over the EQ role and the Inspector was completely dropped. Philips played Ellery as a man of awareness and compassion, substantially closer to the original concepts. Using only original scripts the show was produced on videotape rather than live and the title was shortened to Ellery Queen.