Biografia
Philip John Amelio II was born on November 3, 1977, in Sharon, Connecticut, as the eldest of four children of Diana and John Amelio. After relocating to Pine Plains, New York, he began his acting journey at age four with a Pepperidge Farm commercial. This marked the start of a childhood acting career that included roles in numerous advertisements, such as national campaigns for Ford Motors, All Laundry Detergent, and Shake 'N Bake Bread Crumbs. A significant milestone in his advertising career came in 1987 when, at just nine years old, he became the first spokesman for Jell-O pudding snacks.
Philip also made a name for himself in film and television, appearing in projects like A Place to Call Home (1987), All My Children (1970), and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). The pinnacle of his child acting career was his starring role as Kevin, Lucy's grandson, in Lucille Ball’s final sitcom, Life with Lucy (1986).
By age thirteen, Philip chose to leave acting and pursue his passion for sports. He excelled academically in high school while also succeeding in baseball and winter track. He continued his education at the University at Albany, studying English and Social Studies, before earning a Master’s Degree in Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York.
After becoming a certified teacher, Philip taught English and History at Duanesburg High School in Delanson, New York. Maintaining his love for baseball, he served as pitching coach for the Pine Plains Little League, head coach for the Pine Plains Junior League, and modified baseball coach at Duanesburg High School. Alongside his father, he also coached and mentored many players in the Pine Plains School District through clinics and summer leagues, including coaching members of the 2002 New York State Championship Baseball Team.
In March 2005, Philip experienced back pain initially misdiagnosed as a herniated disc or sciatica. In reality, he had a bacterial infection of the heart valve that worsened due to the misdiagnosis. His condition rapidly declined, and he passed away on April 1, 2005, at the young age of twenty-seven. 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 continuing their education.
