Phil Holthaus, my bodyguard and dear friend, passed away on November 5, 2026. I was crushed when I heard the news. My heart goes out to his family and everyone who loved him.
How I met Phil
I first met Phil in 2003 when I was on the road with Teri Weigel. Over the years, Phil and I worked together at clubs on and off. He was always a top professional, and he took the job of protecting people seriously.
Phil worked with Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses, along with Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas and others. He knew people from all kinds of backgrounds. Police officers knew and respected him, and so did patched bikers. Everyone who knew Phil seemed to like him. That says a lot about the man he was.
A remembrance from the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention describes the 14 years Phil spent on its security team. His friends there wrote about his laughter, his hugs and the barbecues he hosted at home. They mentioned his love of classic horror movies and Christopher Lee, too. Phil meant a lot to the people who knew him there.
The day at Chiller Theatre
At my first Chiller Theatre appearance in 2013, a couple of bikers came in during a signing. One of them flashed a huge knife at me. Phil moved so fast. He disarmed the man and took him outside. I’ll never forget how quickly he stepped in.
After that, Phil and I became friends. I had seen firsthand what he could do when a situation turned dangerous, and I knew I could count on him.
Others counted on him at Chiller, too. In a tribute to Phil, Gregg Woods described him as a reliable member of the event’s security team.
When I needed him again
A couple of years ago, I was dealing with a persistent stalker and called Phil. The next day, he was on a plane from the East Coast to Los Angeles. When he arrived, he went to work securing my home and my car, and he met with the LAPD’s stalker unit. He did everything he could to help keep me safe. That meant the world to me.
Phil was someone I trusted with my safety, but our friendship meant so much more. I’m grateful for the years I knew him, and I’m going to miss him.
For family and friends
To Phil’s family, I’m so sorry for your loss. He was loved and respected by so many people, and I hope my post helps share that fact.
To Phil’s nephews: You may not know who I am, but we spoke on the phone once. He talked about you all the time. He told me about getting bicycles with you and how much he loved going to your birthday parties. You meant everything to him, and he’ll be watching over you. Count on it.
I found out Phil had died when I woke up from surgery several days ago . When I spoke with his brother, we looked at the timing. It felt as though Phil had waited until I was safely out of danger before he passed away. Watching over me one last time. I’ll always carry that thought with me.
Phil should still be here with us. Losing him has reminded me that being young doesn’t guarantee any of us more time. We take for granted that the people we care about will be here tomorrow, but that isn’t always true. Please make the most of the time you have with them.
I’ll never forget you, Phil. Godspeed, my dear friend.