Biography
Philip David Charles Collins (born 30 January 1951) is an English singer, drummer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He was the drummer and later became the lead singer of the rock band Genesis and had a successful solo career, achieving three UK number-one singles and seven US number-one singles as a solo artist. In total, his work with Genesis, other artists and solo resulted in more US top-40 singles than any other artist throughout the 1980s. His most successful singles from the period include "In the Air Tonight", "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)", "One More Night", "Sussudio", "Another Day in Paradise", "Two Hearts" and "I Wish It Would Rain Down". Born and raised in West London, Collins began playing drums at the age of five. During the same period he attended drama school, which helped secure various roles as a child actor. His first major role was the Artful Dodger in the West End production of the musical Oliver!. As an accomplished professional actor by his early teens, he pivoted to pursue a music career, becoming the drummer for Genesis in 1970. He took over the role of lead singer in 1975 following the departure of Peter Gabriel. During the second half of the 1970s, in between Genesis albums and tours, Collins was the drummer of jazz rock band Brand X. While continuing to perform and record with Genesis, Collins began a successful solo career in the 1980s, initially inspired by his marital breakdown and love of soul music, releasing the albums Face Value (1981), Hello, I Must Be Going (1982), No Jacket Required (1985) and ...But Seriously (1989). Collins became, in the words of AllMusic, "one of the most successful pop and adult contemporary singers of the '80s and beyond". He became known for a distinctive gated reverb drum sound on many of his recordings. He played drums on the 1984 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and, in July 1985, he was the only artist to perform at both Live Aid concerts. He resumed his acting career, appearing in Miami Vice and subsequently starring in the film Buster (1988). Collins left Genesis in 1996 to focus on solo work; this included writing songs for Disney's animated film Tarzan (1999), for which he wrote and performed the songs "Two Worlds", "Son of Man", "Strangers Like Me" and "You'll Be in My Heart", the last of which earned him the Academy Award for Best Original Song. He rejoined Genesis for their Turn It On Again Tour in 2007. Following a five-year retirement to focus on his family life, Collins released his memoir in 2016 and conducted the Not Dead Yet Tour from 2017 to 2019. He then rejoined Genesis in 2020 for a second and final reunion tour, which ran from 2021 to 2022. ... Source: Article "Phil Collins" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Acted in 22
2020s
- 2026
Phil Collins: Face Value
Vocals, Keyboards, Drums
ABC Minors Song
Actor · 1 episode
- 2025
Phil Collins: No Jacket Required
Vocals, Keyboards, Drums
2000s
- 2007
Genesis Raindrops Over Hamburg
Movie
- 2005
The Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live
Uncle Ernie
- 2003
1990s
- 1995
- 1994
Calliope
Jackson Dover
- 1993
Frauds
Roland Copping
- 1991
1980s
- 1989
The Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy
Uncle Ernie
- 1988
Buster
Buster Edwards
- 1987
The Return of Bruno
Phil Collins
- 1984
1970s
- 1970
I Start Counting
Ice Cream Vendor (uncredited)
1960s
- 1968
- 1967
Calamity the Cow
Mike Lucas
- 1965
- 1964
Sound 21
2020s
- 2026
The 80s: A Motion Picture Special
Songs
- 2024
- 2023
Steve Hackett – Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton
Music
2010s
- 2017
It's Coming
Music
2000s
- 2005
- 2003
Sing Along Songs: Brother Bear - On My Way
Songs
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1997
Phil Collins: Live and Loose in Paris
Music
- 1990
1980s
- 1988
Buster
Theme Song Performance, Songs
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984
Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper
Songs
Journeys through the Darkzone
Music Director
1970s
- 1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Songs
No release date
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Illustrated
Music
Directed 4
2000s
- 2006
Phil Collins - Best Video Collection 1981-2004
Director
- 2000
Genesis - Six Hours Live 1972-1980
Director
1990s
- 1990
Phil Collins: The Singles Collection
Director
1970s
- 1973
Genesis - Live at Bataclan, Paris
Director
Produced 3
2020s
- 2026
Phil Collins: Face Value
Producer
- 2025
Phil Collins: No Jacket Required
Producer
1990s
- 1990
Phil Collins - Serious Hits Live
Producer
Wrote 2
1990s
- 1999
- 1990
Phil Collins: The Singles Collection
Writer
Camera 1
1980s
- 1984
The Making of the MAMA Album
Camera Operator
Appearances148
2020s
- 2025
Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)
self
- 2024
Phil Collins: Drummer First
Self
The Making of Do They Know It's Christmas?
Self
- 2023
Eric Clapton: The Definitive 24 Nights - Rock
Self - Special Guest
Eric Clapton: Across 24 Nights
Self (archive footage)
Motown Master: Lamont Dozier at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
- 2022
Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
- 2021
Genesis | The Last Domino?
Self
Phil Collins at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
2010s
- 2015
808
Self
- 2014
Genesis: Together and Apart
Self
- 2012
Genesis: Behind the Music and in Their Own Words
Self
Becoming the Beatles
Self
- 2011
Genesis | Live... Tonight
Self
- 2010
Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC
Self - Lead Vocals
The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth
Self
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
Self
2000s
- 2009
Prog Rock Britannia
Self
Prog Rock at the BBC
Self
- 2008
The Naked Brothers Band: Polar Bears
Self
Genesis: When in Rome 2007
Self
Genesis | Come Rain or Shine
Self
Genesis | Members Only DVD
Self
- 2007
Genesis | Live in Düsseldorf
Self
The Long Goodnight: A Film About Phil Collins
Self
Seven Ages of Rock
Self · 7 episodes
Genesis: Turning It on Again
Self (archive footage)
- 2006
Phil Collins - Best Video Collection 1981-2004
self
Eric Clapton - Live at Montreux 1986
Self
Genesis: Total Rock Review
Self (archive footage)
The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests
Self
- 2005
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
Self
Genesis: The Video Show
Self (archive footage)
Live Aid Against All Odds
Self
Inside Genesis: The Gabriel Years 1970-1975
Self (archive footage)
Genesis Encore Cascais 75
Self
- 2004
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self
Live Aid
Self
Phil Collins: Live at Montreux 2004
Self - Lead Vocals, Drums
Phil Collins: Finally... The First Farewell Tour
Self - Drums and Lead Vocals
Essential Music Videos: Album Rock
Self
John Martyn: Johnny Too Bad
Self
Inside Genesis: 1975-1980
Self (archive footage)
- 2003
- 2002
Phil Collins: A Life Less Ordinary
Self (archive footage)
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
Self - Performer
- 2001
Genesis | Songbook
Self
- 2000
Genesis - Six Hours Live 1972-1980
self
1990s
- 1999
VH1 Behind the Music: Genesis
Self (archive footage)
Classic Albums: Phil Collins - Face Value
Self
Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton
Self
Tarzan in Concert with Phil Collins
Self
Walt Disney World Summer Jam Concert 1999
Self
TV total
Self · 1 episode
- 1998
Phil Collins - Live by Request
Self
- 1997
Phil Collins: Live and Loose in Paris
Self
Music for Montserrat
Self
Phil Collins: VH1 Storytellers
Self
- 1996
The Phil Collins Big Band - Live at Montreux 1996
Self
- 1995
You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night'
Self - Host
- 1994
Phil Collins: A Closer Look
Self
Phil Collins: MTV Unplugged 1994
Self
- 1993
Genesis - The Way We Walk: Live in Concert
Self
- 1992
Genesis | No Admittance
Self
Genesis - Live from Knebworth
Self
The Beatles: The Making of Sgt. Pepper
Self
Genesis | Opening Night
Self
- 1991
Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Self - Guest
Genesis: A History
Self
Eric Clapton: 24 Nights
Self - Tambourine
- 1990
Silver Clef Award Winners Show, Knebworth Park
Self
Seriously... Phil Collins
Self
Phil Collins - Serious Hits Live
Self - Vocals, Piano, Drums
Phil Collins: The Singles Collection
Self
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala
Self (archive footage)
The Cream of Eric Clapton
Self
The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert
Self
1980s
- 1989
Genesis - Live at Wembley Stadium
Self
- 1988
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Self
Genesis: Invisible Touch Tour
Self
Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 3
Self
- 1987
Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 2
Self
Genesis | Live at Montreux 1987
Self
B.B. King & Friends
Self
- 1986
Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 1
Self
Eric Clapton and Friends: Live 1986
Self
- 1985
Phil Collins: No Ticket Required
Self
Live Aid
Self
Led Zeppelin: Live Aid 1985
Self
Video AID
Self
- 1984
'Do They Know It's Christmas?' - The Story Of The Official Band Aid Video
Self
Genesis | Live: The MAMA Tour - National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
Self
The Making of the MAMA Album
Self
- 1983
Genesis | MAMA Tour Rehearsal
Self
- 1982
Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace
Self
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self
- 1981
Genesis - Three Sides Live
Self - Vocals, Drums
- 1980
Genesis in Liverpool
Self
Genesis - Live in London: The Lyceum Tapes May 7, 1980
Self
Genesis - Live in London: The Lyceum Tapes May 6, 1980
Self
1970s
- 1978
Three Dates with Genesis
Self
Genesis | ... And Then There Were Three ...
Self
- 1977
Genesis: In Concert
Self
- 1976
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self · 15 episodes
- 1974
Genesis - Melody 74
Self
- 1973
Genesis - Live on Midnight Special
Self
Genesis: Live at Shepperton Studios
Self
Genesis: Selling England by the Pound
Self
Genesis - Live
Self
Genesis - Live at Bataclan, Paris
Self
- 1972
Genesis - Live at Belgium TV Studio, PopShop'72
Self
1960s
- 1964
1950s
- 1953
Thanked in the credits1
2020s
- 2026
