Veteran Filipino actor Ricky Davao has passed away at the age of 63, as confirmed by Viva Entertainment on Friday, May 2. The announcement was made through a heartfelt Facebook post that simply read, “Pahinga ka na, Sir Ricky.” However, the cause of his death was not disclosed.
Davao began his career in showbiz as a dancer under Vicor Music before transitioning into acting in the late 1970s. One of his earliest film roles was in Patayin si… Mediavillo (1978), which starred the legendary Fernando Poe Jr.
He later gained prominence in theater, particularly with his award-winning portrayal of a fictionalized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 1987 stage play Bongbong at Kris. His performance earned him the Best Stage Actor award at the 1988 Aliw Awards, cementing his status as a serious thespian.
Davao went on to star in a wide variety of film and television projects across genres. His film credits include Misis Mo, Misis Ko, Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay, and Natutulog Pa ang Diyos. On television, he became a household name through his work in the long-running anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, where his standout performance in the episode Regalo alongside Vilma Santos and Maja Salvador left a lasting impression on viewers.
One of his most recent film appearances is in the upcoming 2025 romantic comedy Sosyal Climbers, starring Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings. He is also set to appear posthumously in the fantasy series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
Outside the entertainment industry, Davao briefly ventured into politics, filing a candidacy for Quezon City councilor in 2010 under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. However, he later withdrew from the race due to an ongoing film project.
Davao was previously married to actress Jackie Lou Blanco in 1989, with whom he had three children. Although they separated in 2011, the former couple maintained a friendly relationship and even reunited onscreen in 2021 in I Can See You: AlterNate.
His death comes shortly after the passing of singer and actress Pilita Corrales, his former mother-in-law.
Ricky Davao’s decades-long career, marked by versatility and commitment to the craft, leaves behind a legacy cherished by fans and fellow artists alike.