Ricky Davao, Veteran Actor and Film Director, Dies at Age 63

Known for taking on countless roles as an actor and director, Davao leaves behind a legacy of powerful performances and a deep imprint on Philippine cinema and television

Davao leaves behind an indominable legacy. Photo from IMDb

On May 1, veteran Filipino actor and television director Ricky Davao passed away at the age of 63.

Born on May 30, 1961, Davao came from a family of actors: His father was the celebrated actor Charlie Davao (Blind Rage, Batas ng .45, and Palengke Queen) and his younger brother, Bing, starred in a number of action movies. Davao, for his part, first entered the national spotlight as a member of the dancing group Vicor Dancers.

While he may have started in the world of entertainment as a dancer, Davao leaves behind one of the most diverse filmographies in Philippine cinema, contributing significantly as both an actor and director. He’s known for roles in acclaimed films such as Ipaglaban Mo, Saranggola, Smaller and Smaller Circles as well as progressive and genre-bending independent films like Fisting: Never Tear Us Apart.  Davao also brought the hit horror series !Oka Takat to life, terrorizing audiences with horror stories of Filipino folklore from 1997 to 2001. One of his more recent projects, the Netflix series Sosyal Climbers starring Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings, has received praise from both national and international audiences.

Davao also made national waves as an actor, winning the Gawad Urian as Best Supporting Actor in 1995 for his role in the legal drama Ipaglaban Mo. In 2001, the Film Academy of the Philippines awarded Davao with the title of Best Actor for his performance in Minsan May Isang Puso. He has also received awards for his roles in the romance drama Endo and the queer drama F#*@bois.

In 2010, Davao entered the world of politics, briefly running as councilor in Quezon City’s 4th District. However, he later withdrew his bid in order to avoid a conflicting schedule with a film release.

Davao was diagnosed with a terminal sickness in 2024, but he and his family chose to keep his health issues and details of the diagnosis private. He is survived by his three children Rikki Mae, Kenneth, and Arabella, whom he had with former wife Jackie Lou Blanco, an acclaimed actress herself.