Phillip Spaulding

Phillip Spaulding
Grant Aleksander as Phillip Spaulding
Guiding Light character
Portrayed by	Jarrod Ross (1977–81) Grant Aleksander (1982–84, 1987–91, 1996–2004, 2009) John Bolger (1985–86)
Duration	1977–91, 1996–2004, 2009
First appearance	November 7, 1977
Last appearance	September 18, 2009
Created by	Bridget and Jerome Dobson
Introduced by	Allen M. Potter
Profile
Other names	Don Minyard
Occupation	Former Owner of Company (gave it to Lizzie) Former Owner of WSPR-TV Former President of Spaulding Enterprises Former President of Spaulding Foundation Formerly worked at The Mirror Author of Zanzibar
Residence	Spaulding Mansion Springfield, Illinois
Parents Justin Marler Jackie Scott Adoptive parents Alan Spaulding Elizabeth Granville Sisters Samantha Marler Half-brothers Gus Aitoro (adoptive) Alan-Michael Spaulding (adoptive) Half-sisters Peyton Spaulding (adoptive) Spouse Mindy Lewis (1984) India von Halkein (1985–86) Blake Marler (1989–90) Beth Raines (1990–96, 2009–) Harley Cooper (1998–2001) Olivia Spencer (2004) Sons Zach Spaulding James Spaulding Daughters Lizzie Spaulding Emma Spaulding Granddaughters Sarah Randall Grandfathers Brandon Spaulding (adoptive) Grandmothers Emily Marler Evelyn Scott Penelope Winthrop (adoptive) Uncles Ross Marler Aunts Alexandra Spaulding (adoptive) Victoria Tamberlain (adoptive) Amanda Spaulding (adoptive) Nephews Rafe Rivera First cousins Dinah Marler Jason Marler Kevin Marler Clarissa Marler Lujack Spaulding (adoptive) Nick McHenry Spaulding (adoptive) Vicky Spaulding (adoptive)

Phillip Granville Spaulding is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Guiding Light, portrayed by Grant Aleksander.

The character is the adopted son of business mogul, Alan Spaulding, and his first ex-wife, Elizabeth. Phillip has been portrayed by three different actors, with Aleksander the most notable. Aleksander joined the cast in 1982, leaving in 1984 but returning to the role in 1987. He enjoyed a five-year run before leaving again in 1991. Five years later, in 1996, he returned and played the role until November 2004, when he was presumably shot dead.

In July 2005, Phillip was revealed to be alive and well when he was visited by Alan. After nearly five years, Phillip finally returned to Springfield in February 2009, remaining until the series finale on September 18, 2009. Aleksander has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award four times throughout his tenure on the show. In 1998, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor and in 2003, 2004 and 2005, Aleksander was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor.

Seven-year-old Phillip Spaulding’s world would change forever in 1977 when his mother befriended Jackie Marler; only he wouldn't know it yet. The son of wealthy Alan Spaulding and Elizabeth Granville, Phillip had his every wish catered to and was exceptionally close to his mother. While his parents were going through a nasty divorce in 1978, Phillip was having chest pains and started receiving treatment from Dr. Justin Marler, Jackie's ex-husband. Phillip bonded with Justin and after his parents divorced, he encouraged his mother to marry Justin in 1979. At about the same time, Alan married Jackie. Phillip was content to have Justin and Jackie as stepparents and became close to both. However, in 1980, Justin and Jackie would divorce their prospective spouses and find love again with each other. In 1981, Elizabeth would unexpectedly leave Springfield for Switzerland and left Phillip in the care of the Marlers. Though confused as to why his mother left and why he was living with his "Aunt Jackie" and "Uncle Justin" instead of his father, Alan, Phillip accepted the situation and soon left Springfield to attend Lincoln Prep School. Late that year, while Phillip was on Christmas break from Lincoln Prep, he finally apologized to Mike Bauer about his treatment of Mike during the time Mike and Elizabeth were lovers.