Jeff Phillips was born on June 11, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. He started skateboarding at the age of 10 when his grandmother gifted him a "Shark" skateboard with steel wheels. Inspired by this humble present, Jeff and his father, Charles, started crafting skateboards at home using birch and plywood scraps.

Phillips quickly made a name for himself in the skateboarding scene of the early 80s. In July 1982, he won his first contest as a sponsored amateur at the Kona/Variflex Summer Nationals. His talent and determination led to a third-place finish at the opening NSA Pro-Am event in Houston in March 1986. Later that year, he won the NSA Pro-Am Final in Anaheim, defeating the formidable Tony Hawk. Jeff even graced the cover of Thrasher Magazine’s March 1987 issue.

Jeff Phillips popularized a unique skateboarding trick known as the “Phillips 66.” This difficult move was adapted from the Fakie 360 invert, which he credited to fellow skater Shawn Peddie. The Phillips 66 became synonymous with his style and creativity on the ramp.

Throughout his career, Phillips featured in magazine adverts for several iconic brands, including Sims Skateboards, G&S Skateboards, and Tracker Trucks. His powerful vertical skateboarding style made him a force to be reckoned with in competitions. Notable events include the Kona/Variflex Summer Nationals and the NSA Pro-Am series.

As his competitive skateboarding career wound down, Jeff purchased an indoor skateboard park, aptly named the Jeff Phillips Skateboard Park. Together with fellow Zorlac skater Billy Smith, he ran the skatepark, but unfortunately, financial difficulties plagued the park, leading Jeff to consider selling it.

On Christmas Day in 1993, Jeff Phillips’ life took a heartbreaking turn. His family grew concerned when he didn’t show up at his parents’ house as planned. Later that day, a friend discovered him with a self-inflicted injury. Jeff was laid to rest at Restland Memorial Park.

After his tragic passing, the Jeff Phillips Skatepark reopened as Rapid Revolutions in April 1994, preserving legacy of skateboard legend Jeff Phillips.

Jeff Phillips Skateboard Videos

Grosso's Loveletters - Jeff Phillips Video

"If you grew up skating in the 80's, you already know the legend of Jeff Phillips. If you missed him, here's a little background. Phillips 66, Boosters, and Ally-oop lein airs are just a few of the tricks he had in his bag." offthewalltv

"How nice of YT to recommend a Phillips video which led to this Love Letter. I reckon he and Grosso are skating together these days :-) RIP hard!"

"A dude that's gone, talking about a dude that's gone. So sad. Brings a tear to my eye. I miss everybody that's gone. I grew up watching these guys back in the early 80's. At least they are immortalized on youtube. One day we will all go skate together. RIP brothers."

"When I heard that Jeff died, I was 21 yrs old and shed tears. Another wonderful person who left us too soon."

"I met Jeff Phillips back in 83. I was so impressed with him I bought one of his boards. I was never much for vertical but one evening at the blue ramp I saw him do a rail slide on a 2x12 that was attached to a 1x1x12 wood trestle. I was blown away and determined to learn that trick. It so happened we had a large beam lke that at home (my dad was an engineer and kept strange shit like that, lol) So I picked up a 2x12 plank, mounted it to the beam and started practicing at home. It took a good 4 months but I learned to ollie onto that 2x12 at speed and slide it out perfectly. Some time after learning the trick I was back at the blue ramp and Jeff showed up. I'll never forget doing the rail slide in front of him and seeing him jump up to give me a high five. He was a true champion, always making others feel great about themselves. I had nothing but that one trick in my bag but he made me feel like a million for performing it."

"Met Jeff at the Clown Ramp in 84. He drove all the way out to Euless just to show up at my 18th Birthday party. He treated all of us groms like bros. He was a great friend and I miss him every day. RIP in peace !!"

"thank you for this episode, we used to skate in Oaxaca Mexico, and that is far from California, or Texas. I remember the vision ramp contest, and me and my friends where thinking how Hosoi, or the Powell Peralta guys were the best, favorite to win... And then Jeff Phillips came, no Mctwists, just radical, technical, smooth. until this day I think how he totally killed it that day. if tony was technical, Hosoi was style, Jeff was just gnarly, like watching Pollock painting, he was a true master in his domain."

The Jeff Phillips Story + Director’s Commentary

 "Jeff Phillips is one of the most sad and tragic stories in the history of skateboarding. Viewer warning: This video discusses the fact that at just 30 years of age he ended his own life. Jeff had a glorious skateboarding career which he established himself as one of the best of all time. I filmed this interview and part in one day in Dallas, Texas at his skatepark. I could have never imagined how one of the greatest stories in skateboarding would end so abruptly. He is so dearly missed and his legacy will live on forever. video by @tonyrobertsphoto" Real Skate Stories

"You should be asked to be on The Nine Club or Hawk vs Wolf. You'd be a super interesting because you watched it all happen."

"Sad he was amazing I meet him at a Demo was really nice I never knew how he died it’s so sad RIP he was so positive a lot of the pros back then didn’t have a lot of time for you, but he did Rob And Kendall where very cool and talked to me my uncle knew them he skated down hill and Half Pipe I still skate at age 46 and ride BMX dirt and street because of my uncle and people Like Jeff plus we share the same name Glad I could meet Team Santa Cruz and Jeff back in the Day I got wheels and decks from them a few times Thanks for the Video"

"Thanks so much for helping keep Jeff's memory alive and educating the younger generation of skaters on what natural ability is. He is so missed. He should be here skating the new combi and winning without even trying and shaking a 20' vert ramp without even trying. You want to see effortless ability?. The kids gotta know. Thank you, from the bottom of my filthy, skate rat heart, man."

Jeff Phillips - 'Brotherhood' Tracker Skate Video

"When I was 13 in 1986 I was at the Eastern Assault contest that Phillips won at Mt, Trashmore in VB Va. He wasn't even doing mctwists and he beat everybody back when supposedly you couldn't win a contest without doing a mctwist. Jeff had his own set of tricks such as the amazing Phillips 66 that only he could do. Hawk took 2nd Hosoi 3rd. The whole bones brigade and all the other who's who in 80's skateboarding were there, Phillips dominated them all. RIP my brother you will always be missed. "

Jeff Phillips - LEGEND Skater Going Off! Skate Vid

"Here's a video part from my favorite vert skater, the late Jeff Phillips. He had such a unique style...one of a kind. His inverts were some of the best inverts off all time! All the different variations he would do were so awesome. He had the best style in my opinion and overall he was just an amazing skater. One of the best skaters of all time. This is the only footage of this session and this is the first time I've ever shared this footage.

Copyright Glenn Reeves"

"One of my all time favorite skaters"

"Great footage. I skated with him in Killeen TX at the HOT ramp and skated at his skatepark in Dallas TX. Great memories"