Philip Sterling made his Broadway debut in 1955 in the Cole Porter musical 'Silk Stockings'. This marked the beginning of his successful career on the Great White Way, where he would go on to appear in numerous productions. His most prominent role on Broadway was that of the adulterous father in Neil Simon's 1986 comedy 'Broadway Bound'. Sterling's impressive stage presence and versatility as an actor allowed him to take on a wide range of roles, from Ron Cowen's 'Summertree' to Gore Vidal's 'An Evening With Richard Nixon and...' where he played Dwight D. Eisenhower to George S. Irving's Richard Nixon.
In addition to his Broadway credits, Sterling also appeared in various Off-Broadway productions, including 'Brecht on Brecht', 'In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer', 'The Trojan Women', and 'Victim of Duty'. His most recent stage appearance was in 'Out of Purgatory' at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.
Sterling's passion for music extended beyond his acting career. He was a serious student of music and served as the narrator for several concert works, including Schoenberg's 'Survivor from Warsaw' with the New York Philharmonic under Pierre Boulez at Lincoln Center.
In addition to his stage and concert work, Sterling also had a successful career in film. His notable film credits include 'Backfire', 'The Competition', 'The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight', and 'Me, Natalie'.
Sterling's work in television was equally impressive, with appearances on classic shows such as 'Studio One' and 'Kraft Television Theater'. He also had recurring roles on 'Sisters', 'L.A. Law', and 'St. Elsewhere', and made numerous guest appearances on shows including 'NYPD Blue', "Barney Miller", "Golden Girls", and 'M*A*S*H'.
Born to a Philadelphia lawyer, Sterling was the first president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business, and began his career as a jazz pianist before turning to acting.
Sterling is survived by his wife, Rhona, and daughter, Mila.
