NAMES IN THE NEWS : Actor Phillips Really Gets Cast

Actor Lou Diamond Phillips, who suffered a broken arm and gashed knee in a riding accident last week while filming a movie in New Mexico, was returning home today to Los Angeles, his publicist said.

Eddie Michaels said Phillips had a cast on his right arm as a result of a compound fracture to his elbow, but was in good condition.

The actor was released Monday night from University Hospital in Albuquerque.

Hospital spokeswoman Gail Sutton said Phillips received dozens of floral arrangements, cards and telephone calls from fans during the weekend.

The 28-year-old actor was thrown and dragged by a horse Friday night on the movie set of “Young Guns 2” near Galisteo, 20 miles south of Santa Fe, after a gunshot startled the animal. Phillips was airlifted to University Hospital by a lifeguard helicopter.

His fractured right arm required 2 1/2 hours of surgery late Friday and early Saturday.

The Philippine-born Phillips is best known for his roles as singer Ritchie Valens in “La Bamba” and as a defiant math student in “Stand and Deliver.” He is playing Jose Chavez y Chavez, a friend of Billy the Kid, in the “Young Guns” movies. Emilio Estevez plays the Kid.