Tirso Cruz III

Tirso Silvano Cruz III (; born April 1, 1952) is a Filipino actor, comedian, and singer. He was the Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, but resigned after one year and seven months for personal reasons. Regarded as a "matinee idol", Cruz is a FAMAS Award and Gawad Urian Award recipient.

Early life

Tirso Silvano Cruz III was born at 2:46 AM on April 1, 1952, at University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Sampaloc, Manila to Tirso Bailey Cruz Jr. and Elma Acosta Silvano. He is the grandson by paternal line of musician Tirso Muñoz Cruz Sr. and María Loreto Lagrosa Bailey, and by maternal line of Tomas Silvano and Petra Acosta. Loreto's father, Lewis Edwin Bailey, was an American soldier, from Stowe, Vermont, and was the son of French Canadian immigrants.

Politics

In 1986, Cruz campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election.

He ran for vice-mayor of Las Piñas in 2001, but lost.

On July 5, 2022, he was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as the chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines replacing Liza Diño.

Cruz III has resigned as FDCP chairperson effective March 1, 2024 citing personal reasons. Rica Arevalo is the appointed OIC and head-project development officer for Film Education Division and Film Festivals Division.

Personal life

Cruz married Erlinda "Lynn" Erillo Ynchausti (born 1959) in 1981. The couple have two sons and one daughter, TJ (October 22, 1981 – November 21, 2018), Bodie (born 1983) and Djanin (born 1988). Bodie Cruz was a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: '. On November 21, 2018, his eldest son TJ died of cancer, at the age of 37.

Gawad Urian Awards

• 2004 Golden Screen Award Best Supporting Actor-The Debut
• 2011 Golden Screen Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy)-Sigwa
• 2012 Golden Screen Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy)- Deadline: The Reign of Impunity (nom)
• 2013 Golden Screen Award Dekada Award

*Star Awards for Movies

• 1990 Actor of the Year-Bilangin ang bituin sa langit
• 2011 Movie Supporting Actor of the Year-Sigwa
• 2012 Movie Supporting Actor of the Year-Deadline: The Reign of Impunity (nom)
• 2016 Movie Supporting Actor of the Year-Deadline: Honor Thy Father

Metro Manila Film Festival

• 2015 Best Supporting Actor-Honor Thy Father
• 1997 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actor - Valiente

Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival

• 2010 - Best Actor-Sigwa

TV Awards