Ricky Davao dead at 63, daughter Ara Davao confirms
Ricky Davao. (Image from Instagram)
Updated 7:28 p.m.
Actor-director Ricky Davao died on Thursday, May 1, his daughter actress Ara Davao announced on Friday night. He was 63.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Ricky Davao. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children and loved ones, after bravely facing complications related to cancer,” she said on Instagram.
“For more than four decades, he dedicated his life to the craft of acting and directing. His remarkable body of work and award-winning performances have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire. Most of all he was a loving father, brother, son, and friend.
“We are deeply grateful for your prayers, love, and kind messages during this difficult time. Details about his memorial service will be shared soon,” the family statement further read.
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Reports of Davao’s passing have been swirling as early as morning of Friday, with several sources close to the family saying that the actor had been silently battling his cancer. The screen veteran reportedly passed on Thursday, May 1 at a hospital in Taguig.
Viva Entertainment also made the announcement through a Facebook post. “Pahinga kana, Sir Ricky. Ang aktor ay namayapa sa edad na 63,” Viva Entertainment said on its Facebook post.
Davao’s death came just weeks after the passing of Pilita Corrales, mother of his ex-wife Jackie Lou Blanco.
‘Actor’s actor’
Born Frederick Charles Davao, the screen veteran’s career in the entertainment industry started in the late 70’s, starring in several TV shows and films.
By the 80s, his career was already in full swing, and he remained active in show biz, until recently.
Dubbed an “actor’s actor,” Davao had proven his versatility in a wide range of entertainment genre, from hard drama, to action, to even comedy. He started making a mark as a stage actor and then as a dancer before transitioning to acting, and then later dabbling in directing.
He was behind a handful of TV series, with his most recent ones being “The Seed of Love” (2023), “Nagbabagang Luha” (2021) and “Dahil sa Pag-ibig” (2019). Among his last shows were that of the recent Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings-starrer “Sosyal Climbers (2025),” and the “Silver Linings Redux.”
He was also supposed to join the cast of GMA’s “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre”.
Davao also earned numerous acting awards including the 2020 FAMAS Best Supporting Actor award for “Fuccbois,” 2017 FAMAS Best Supporting Actor award for “Deliver Us,” 1990 WinnerAbot Hanggang Sukdulan,” 2000 Gawad Urian Best Actor award for “The Kite,” and the 2002Minsan May Isang Puso.”
Advocate of professionalism
Ricky Davao
Speaking about professionalism with regards his craft, Davao quoted the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka.
“‘If you want to become a great actor, first and foremost, you have to be a good person’—that has become my mantra ever since,” he said in a 2024 interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“Being a good person means being a good listener. It also means being a giving person. An artist should be really giving of his time, his knowledge and his whole self,” he added.
Personal life
Davao was formerly married to actress Jackie Lou Blanco, with whom he had three children, namely Ara, Rikki and Kenneth.
Davao had been in a relationship with a non-showbiz partner, Mayeth Malca Darocca, before his demise.
