Lito Legaspi (born Ludovico A. Legaspi, September 10, 1941 – September 8, 2019)[1] was a Filipino actor both in movies and television in the Philippines. He was the father of actors Zoren Legaspi, Kier Legaspi, and Brando Legaspi. He won Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor in Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping? (1977).

Lito Legaspi
Born
Ludovico A. Legaspi

(1941-09-10)September 10, 1941[1]
DiedSeptember 8, 2019(2019-09-08) (aged 77)[1]
Resting placeCaryana Monastery, Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActor
Years active1959–2019
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Children

Early life

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He was born in Marikina City (when it was still part of Rizal) to Augusto Legaspi and Florentino Angeles. He has 10 siblings.[2]

Early career

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He appeared in 1959 comedy film Ipinagbili Kami Ng Aming Tatay, starring Dolphy. In 1963, Sampaguita Pictures introduced Legaspi together with teenage stars such as Rosemarie Sonora, Gina Pareño, Dindo Fernando, Pepito Rodriguez, Romeo Rivera and Bert Leroy, Jr., among others. Legaspi made his debut in Sampaguita Pictures' Lab na Lab Kita alongside Susan Roces then appeared in Joey, Eddie & Lito, paired with Liberty Ilagan.[3] He became a matinee idol like Eddie Gutierrez, Jose Mari Gonzales, Romeo Vasquez, Greg Martin and Juancho Gutierrez.

After his contract with Sampaguita expired, he went freelancing in the 70s. He played an impotent husband in the movie Uhaw (1970) with Merle Fernandez and Tito Galla, directed by Ruben Abalos.

Later career

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He played Mayor Joaquin Montejo in Esperanza on ABS-CBN, starring Judy Ann Santos in 1997. He also played as Governor in Makapiling Kang Muli, GMA Network's primetime television series.

As a veteran actor, he appeared in more than 120 movies and television shows since 1959.

He was inducted to the Eastwood City Walk of Fame in December 2014 for his contribution in movie and TV acting.[4]

Personal life

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Legaspi had 3 children with Hershey, Zoren, Kier and Brando who are also prospective movie actors. His daughter-in-law (Zoren's wife), Carmina Villaroel-Legaspi is an actress and TV presenter. His grandchildren, fraternal twins Maverick and Cassandra (children of Zoren and Carmina) and Dani Barretto (daughter of Kier and actress Marjorie Barretto) are in show business as well. In 2019, Dani Barretto wed Xavi Panlilio with child Millie, born in 2019.[5][6]

Health and death

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On September 6, 2019, Legaspi was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center after having chest pains. He later died from cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at around 10:00 AM on September 8, 2019, two days before his 78th birthday. He was buried at Caryana Monastery in Magalang, Pampanga.[7]

Selected filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Producer
1959 Wedding Bells Lito
1961 Joey, Eddie, Lito Lito
1963 Ang Class Reunion Joselito Moran
1970 Marupok
1976 Escolta; Mayo 13; Biyernes ng Hapon!
1977 Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping?
Banta ng Kahapon
1990 Alyas Baby Face
Angel Cremenal
Alyas Baby Face Seiko Films
1991 Markang Bungo: The Bobby Ortega Story Col. Ordoñez Bonanza Films
Kung Patatawarin Ka ng Bala Ko! Roman Mega Films
1992 Kapatid Ko si Hudas Don Ramon Cordova
Mario Sandoval Mr. Retareno
1993 Tikboy Tikas at Mga Khroaks Boys Rafael Montejo
1994 Bawal Na Gamot
Iukit Mo sa Bala Congressman Valdez Star Cinema and RRJ Productions Inc.
1995 Judge Max Asuncion: Hukom Bitay Col. Orlando Aberilla Viva Films
Markang Bungo 2: Iligpit Si Bobby Ortega Col. Ordoñez
1996 SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter Col. Deogracias D'Bayan
1997 Paano ang Puso Ko? Cesar Star Cinema
Sambahin ang Puri Ko Kara Films
Kulang Ka Lang sa Lambing
1998 Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita Ryan's father Star Cinema
Init ng Dugo Don Conrado Leo Films and GMA Films
1999 Tigasin Col. Angeles Star Cinema
Esperanza: The Movie Mayor Joaquin Montejo
2005 Terrorist Hunter Gen. Cruz Double Impact Films
2011 Catch Me, I'm in Love Mr. Morales Star Cinema
2012 Every Breath U Take Leo's dad

Television

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Year Title Role Network
1987 Agila Recurring Role RPN
1997–1998 Esperanza Mayor Joaquin Montejo ABS-CBN
1998 Bayani José Abad Santos
1999 Tabing Ilog Francisco Ledesma
2004 Hiram Don Felipe Verdadero
2008 Komiks Presents: Dragonna Recurring Role
Eva Fonda Toshiro Fonda
2009 The Wedding Lawrence
2010 I Love Betty La Fea Virgilio Arellano
Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine Don Leon Fortalejo
2011 Mula sa Puso Luis Vergara
2012 The Good Daughter Miguel Guevarra GMA Network
Makapiling Kang Muli Governor
Isang Dakot na Luha Mr. Vergara TV5
2013 Genesis Manuel Macalintal GMA Network
Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin Melchor Antonio ABS-CBN
Jim Fernandez's Galema, Anak Ni Zuma Agustin Carriedo
2014 Niño Manuel Reyes GMA Network
Ilustrado Padre Amado
2015 Marimar Don Fernando Aldama
2016 Princess in the Palace Manuel Gonzaga
Ika-6 na Utos Allan
2017 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Jonathan Wu ABS-CBN
Haplos Eduardo "Lolo Doods" Dizon GMA Network
2018–2019 My Special Tatay Simon Villaroman (his last appearance)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Veteran actor Lito Legaspi passes away". GMA News Online. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Navarra, Lidinila C (August 1, 1960). "In Focus: Lito Legaspi". Literary Song - Movie Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Lo, Ricky. "'60s matinee idol Lito Legaspi dies, 77". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  4. ^ "Lani ready for concert debut at NYC's Town Hall on Nov. 22 | philstar.com". The Philippine STAR. Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  5. ^ Bueno, Leah (October 16, 2022). "Marjorie, Dani Barretto greet Kier Legaspi's mom a happy birthday". ABS-CBN Digital Media. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Acar, Aedrianne (October 18, 2022). "Dani Barretto writes love letter for her Lola Hershey Legaspi". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "Veteran actor Lito Legaspi passes away due to cardiac arrest". PEP. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
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