Philip Amelio

Philip Amelio was an American actor known for his roles in commercials and television shows. He gained fame as a child actor and is remembered for his work in Life with Lucy, A Place to Call Home, and Born on the Fourth of July.

Personal and Family Life

Philip was born on November 3, 1977, in Sharon, Connecticut, to Diana and Philip John Amelio. He was the eldest of four children and enjoyed acting from an early age. After moving to Pine Plains, New York, he appeared in various commercials, including being the first spokesman for Jell-O pudding snacks at just nine years old. Despite his success, Philip chose to leave acting by age thirteen to focus on sports and academics.

Education and Career

Philip studied English and Social Studies at the University of Albany and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. He worked as a teacher for English and History at Duanesburg High School and was involved in coaching youth baseball teams. Passionate about sports, he contributed significantly to local baseball programs, including coaching a championship team in 2002.

Death and Legacy

Sadly, Philip passed away on April 1, 2005, at the young age of twenty-seven due to a bacterial infection affecting his heart. His initial symptoms were misdiagnosed, leading to a rapid decline in his health. To honor his memory, his father established the ‘Philip J. Amelio, II. Scholarship Fund’ to support underprivileged students in the Pine Plains and Duanesburg Central School Districts in their educational pursuits.

Filmography