Jesus Velez Cruz (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈkɾus]; December 24, 1947 – October 3, 2001), better known by his stage name Ricky Belmonte, was a Filipino actor, popular during the 1960s as one of Sampaguita Pictures' talents.

Ricky Belmonte
Born
Jesus Velez Cruz

(1947-12-24)December 24, 1947
DiedOctober 3, 2001(2001-10-03) (aged 53)
Resting placeLa Loma Cemetery
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActor
Years active1966–2001
Spouse
(m. 1970; sep. 1986)
Children3 (including Sheryl)
RelativesRodjun Cruz (nephew)
Rayver Cruz (nephew)
Donna Cruz (niece)
Sunshine Cruz (niece)
Geneva Cruz (niece)
Tirso Cruz III (cousin)
Woody Cruz (cousin)
Danny Cruz (brother)
Elizabeth Cruz (sister)

Personal life

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Belmonte was born as Jesus Velez Cruz on December 24, 1947 in Tondo, Manila to Cesar Cruz, Sr. and Milagros Velez. His screen surname was taken from the Belmontes, STAR magazine publishers who, in the 1960s, used to publish several movie magazines like Movie World, Movie Land, Movie Star, among others.

Family

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He was survived by his three children - Renzo, Sheryl, and Patrick - by his marriage to actress Rosemarie Sonora from 1970 to 1986.

Filmography

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Movies

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Year Movie Title Role
1966 Viva Ranchera
Si Siyanang at ang 7 Tsikiting
1967 Dedicated to You
Let's Dance the Soul!
Bus Stop
Way Out in the Country
Cinderella A-Go-Go
1968 Sandwich Shindig
May Tampuhan Paminsan Minsan
Junior Castillo
Let's Go Hippie
Juanita Banana
Ikaw Ay Akin, Ako Ay sa Iyo
Doon Pa sa Amin
Magic Guitar
1969 Young Girl
YeYe Generation
Oh, Delilah!
Jinkee
Bittersweet David
9 Teeners
1970 Ricky Na, Tirso Pa!
Love Is for the Two of Us
Tayo'y Mag-Up, Up and Away
Gintong Alaala
First Kiss
The Young at Heart
1971 My Prayer
Life Everlasting Dante
1972 Just Married, Do Not Disturb
1974 La Paloma: Ang Kalapating Ligaw Don Lorenzo
Bawal: Asawa Mo, Asawa Ko
1975 Prrt! Huli Ka!
Mag-Ingat Kapag Biyuda ang Umibig
At Lumaganap ang Lagim
Ang Madugong Daigdig ni Salvacion
1976 Tatlong Kasalanan
Daluyong at Habagat Habagat
Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador
1977 Babae!
Nananabik
1978 Buhay: Ako sa Itaas, Ikaw sa Ibaba
Isang Kahig, Isang Tuka
1979 Kuwatog
1980 Bomba Star Joey
Nympha
Temptation Island Ricardo
Waikiki: Sa Lupa ng Ating Mga Pangarap Chito
Tembong
1981 Tropang Bulilit
Wild
1982 Puppy Love
Campus Beat
1987 Working Girls 2 Leo Cordova
Bata-Batuta
1988 Puso sa Puso
Natutulog Pa ang Diyos Mike Velasco
1989 Anak ng Demonyo
1990 Kunin Mo ang Ulo ni Ismael
Kung Tapos Na ang Kailanman
Island of Desire
1991 Ama, Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?
1994 The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us!
1997 Winasak Na Pangarap
Isinakdal Ko ang Aking Ina
Frats
1998 Hamog sa Magdamag
Kahit Saan, Kung Puwede
Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib
2002 Eskandalosa

Television

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Year Movie Title Role
1989–1994 Anna Luna Arnulfo Corpus
2001–2002 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Badong

Death

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He died on October 3, 2001, in a hospital at Medical Center Parañaque in Parañaque, four days after cerebral hemorrhage caused by a massive stroke, he was 53 and was buried at the La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan.

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