Who Am I???

I’m Phil Buckman — an actor, voiceover artist, photographer, and musician based in Los Angeles.

I left college to play music, which landed me in L.A. clubs, on DIY tours, and eventually on bigger stages around the world. For years, I chased the work wherever it showed up.

I’d started acting in high school before taking a break for college. When I moved back to L.A., I called my agent and told her I was back — but I looked different. Long hair, earrings (it was 1990), and trying to make it in music. I wasn’t changing the look. But if there were roles for a guy who looked like I looked, I was in.

Apparently, that worked. I spent the ’90s and early 2000s guest-starring on shows like Wings, Frasier, Roseanne, and Married… with Children, and landed series regular roles on Drexell’s Class, Daddy’s Girls, City of Angels, Bob Patterson, and Boston Public.

Acting became my livelihood — and the through-line.

Voiceover followed. What started as “sure, I’ll try it” turned into hundreds of commercials and promos, including 16 years as the brand voice of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, campaigns for World of Warcraft, countless network promos, and currently, the brand voice for Cologuard. Not a bad detour.

Music never fully left. In 2010, I stepped away from touring to focus on acting and voiceover — which is when I got the call to join the rock band Filter. After three and a half years, I stepped away again… and two years later agreed to “fill in for a week” with Fuel. That week turned into six and a half years. So much for retirement.

In 2021, after filling in on a tour with Steel Panther, I realized I was missing too much of my twin daughters growing up. I stepped off the road for good.

These days, I still play bass with Petty Cash — a Tom Petty/Johnny Cash cover band featuring members of The Offspring, Chevelle, Juliette & The Licks, and Fuel — but without the full-time road life.

Photography entered the picture in 2019 as a creative outlet. When I left tour life, I converted the live room of my music studio into a photo studio. Turns out amps and tripods can coexist — just not at the same time.

These days, I’m focused on acting, voiceover, and photography. Different tools, same instinct: show up prepared, stay collaborative, and tell the story.

During the pandemic, I became obsessed with Neapolitan pizza. I now make what I’m told is the best pie this side of NYC — and spending time around me may very well earn you an invitation to the pizza kitchen.