Lito Legaspi

Lito Legaspi (born Ludovico A. Legaspi, September 10, 1941 – September 8, 2019) 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).

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

Early career
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. 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
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.

Personal life
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.

Health and death
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.