Keeshawn

Keith Johnson

Detective Darren 'Daz' Phillips

Philip Arthur Jordan Smithey V, or "AJ" to his friends and family, is an American actor and writer born in Dallas, Texas. He is the second born of 4 children to Philip Smithey IV, an internal medicine physician, and Chantell Desiree Smithey (née Day), a real estate agent.

Smithey found acting as his passion when he was only 6 years old, performing in school and local theatre throughout childhood. He received his BA in theater from Morehouse College and his MFA in acting from the University of Connecticut. Upon graduation, he booked his first paying role performing in the Utah Shakespeare Theatre in Cedar City before moving to Los Angeles.

In his early professional career, Smithey found his footing in commercials and performing monthly live sketch comedy shows with his group, Secondhand Smog, in Burbank. His earliest television roles were Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, and the recurring character of Keeshawn, a college student activist, on Freeform's Switched At Birth. These dramatic roles explored his natural sensitivity, and were often characters in deadly or dire situations.

Smithey can be seen playing the smooth and silly Detective Darren "Daz" Phillips on the Netflix comedy, Murderville, and the awkward and lovable Keith Johnson in the Bounce and Hulu 4 season ensemble dramedy, Johnson.

Smithey also teaches acting at Hollywood Casting Studio and works for the nonprofit organization The Collaborative, based in Sherman Oaks. This 100 member organization is dedicated to production, education, networking, and the community development of actors through classes and special events. Smithey served as president from 2022-2025.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

#	Name	Score	Year	Known	★	Votes
1	Switched at Birth	5.00	2011	•	7.7	27125
2	Johnson	3.25	2021	•	7.0	524
3	Murderville	3.25	2022	•	6.9	16623

Philip Smithey

Director

Actor

Producer

Production Department

Self

Credit Score: Philip Smithey