# Tirso Cruz III

Tirso Silvano Cruz III (Tagalog pronunciation:; born April 1, 1952) is a Filipino actor, comedian, and singer. He was the Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines 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: Season 2. On November 21, 2018, his eldest son TJ died of cancer, at the age of 37.
Cruz was raised a Roman Catholic, but converted to Evangelical Christianity in 2009.

## Discography

* Tirso Cruz III
* By Special Request
* PIP
* Pip at the Top
* Hawaiian Souvenirs
* TCIII
* Afterglow
* Rock and Roll Music
* Butterfly
* The Sound of Pip
* Pip Dimension

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1952 | Ang Pagsilang ng Mesiyas | Baby Jesus |
| 1969 | D'Musical Teenage Idols! | |
| 1969 | The Mad Generation | |
| 1970 | For You, Mama | |
| 1971 | My Heart Belongs to Daddy | |
| 1971 | Guy and Pip | Pip |
| 1972 | Nora, Mahal Kita | Pepito |
| 1972 | And God Smiled at Me | Carding |
| 1976 | Magandang Gabi sa Inyong Lahat | Roy Valdez |
| 1977 | Roma-Amor | Mario |
| 1978 | Last Target | Pip |
| 1978 | Mahal Mo, Mahal Ko | Pipo |
| 1985 | Till We Meet Again | Cholo |
| 1985 | Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang | Roland |
| 1986 | I Can't Stop Loving You | Reynand / Kiko Dela Cruz |
| 1988 | Sana Mahalin Mo Ako | Ramon |
| 1989 | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Anselmo / Jun |
| 1989 | Greatest Performance | Briccio Ledesma |
| 1990 | Tingga ng Katarungan | |
| 1990 | Hanggang Kailan Ka Papatay | |
| 1991 | Madonna, Babaeng Ahas | Roberto |
| 1991 | Ganti ng Api | Bartolome |
| 1992 | Alyas Boy Kano | Marco |
| 1992 | Lt. Nicho-las Aguirre: Batas Ko ang Iiral | Federico Salvador Jr. |
| 1992 | Lucio Margallo | Sgt. Goyena |
| 1992 | Kailangan Kita | Atty. Gomez |
| 1992 | Kahit Buhay Ko | Melgar |
| 1992 | Amang Capulong - Anak ng Tondo II | |
| 1993 | Gascon... Bala ang Katapat Mo | |
| 1993 | Kapatid Ko si Hudas | |
| 1993 | Beloy Montemayor Jr.: Tirador ng Cebu | Lt. Gerry Delgado |
| 1993 | Lumohod Ka sa Lupa | |
| 1993 | Isa Lang ang Buhay Mo! Sgt. Bobby Aguilar | |
| 1993 | Deo Dador: Berdugo Ng Munti | Waway |
| 1993 | Inay | Teddy |
| 1994 | Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story | Roy Panganiban |
| 1994 | Epimaco Velasco, NBI | Mr. Cul |
| 1994 | Maestro Toribio: Sentensyador | |
| 1994 | Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling | Ariel Rivero |
| 1995 | Rollerboys | Moy |
| 1995 | Harvest Home | Peping |
| 1995 | Saan Ako Nagkamali | |
| 1995 | Kahit Harangan ng Bala | Amador Almonte |
| 1996 | Anak, Pagsubok Lamang | Warden |
| 1996 | Sana Naman | Zandro |
| 1996 | Isa, Dalawa, Takbo! | Totoy |
| 1996 | Pag-ibig Ko Sayo'y Totoo | Manny Diaz |
| 1996 | Hangga't May Hininga | Congressman Ramirez |
| 1996 | Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure | Diego |
| 1997 | Sino si Inday Lucing? | |
| 1997 | Ibulong Mo sa Diyos 2 | |
| 1997 | Daniel Eskultor: Hindi Umaatras sa Laban | Bengson |
| 1997 | Laban Ko Ito, Walang Dapat Madamay | |
| 1998 | Hiling | Oscar |
| 1999 | Abel Villarama: Armado | Romano |
| 2000 | The Debut | Roland Mercado |
| 2001 | Bahay ni Lola | Jimmy |
| 2002 | Diskarte | Colonel Montero |
| 2002 | Singsing ni Lola | Peping |
| 2002 | Dekada '70 | Evelyn's father |
| 2002 | Mano Po | Daniel Go |
| 2003 | Nympha | Father Domingo |
| 2003 | Chavit | Biboy Crisostomo |
| 2004 | Minsan Pa | Jeremiah Toledo Jr. |
| 2005 | Can This Be Love | Roger |
| 2006 | Pacquiao: The Movie | Rosalio |
| 2006 | Ang Pamana: The Inheritance | Mr. Reyes |
| 2006 | Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di | Williamson Co |
| 2007 | Happy Hearts | Nick Ricafrente |
| 2007 | M.O.N.A.Y. | |
| 2007 | Desperadas | Patrick's father |
| 2008 | Magkaibigan | Noni |
| 2009 | When I Met U | Kardo |
| 2009 | In My Life | Benito Salvacion |
| 2010 | Miss You like Crazy | Ramon Recto |
| 2010 | The Red Shoes | Domingo |
| 2010 | Sigwa | |
| 2011 | Subject: I Love You | Frankie |
| 2011 | Bisperas | |
| 2011 | No Other Woman | Fernando Zalderiaga |
| 2012 | D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Donald Trang |
| 2012 | Sisterakas | Simon Hermosa |
| 2013 | Alfredo S. Lim (The Untold Story) | Zosing |
| 2013 | Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki | Gorio |
| 2014 | Bride for Rent | Roderico "Rod" Espiritu, Sr. |
| 2015 | Etiquette for Mistresses | Ambrosio "Ambet" Villoria |
| 2015 | Ex with Benefits | Jimmy |
| 2015 | Honor Thy Father | Tony |
| 2015 | The Last Pinoy Action King | Himself |
| 2016 | Always Be My Maybe | Jake's father |
| 2016 | Diyos-Diyosan | |
| 2017 | Northern Lights: A Journey to Love | Ricardo |
| 2018 | Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles | Arturo Punongbayan |
| 2018 | Rainbow's Sunset | Emmanuel "Emman" Estrella |
| 2019 | Unforgettable | Lola Olive's doctor |
| 2019 | Miracle in Cell No. 7 | Secretary P/Lt. Gen. Manuel Yulo |
| 2019 | 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon! | Gen. Damian Calupitan |
| 2021 | The Fabulous Filipino Brothers | |
| 2022 | An Inconvenient Love | Wilfredo Siena |
| 2023 | Keys to the Heart | Roldan Labayen |
| 2023 | When I Met You in Tokyo | Edwin |
| 2024 | Uninvited | Colonel Red Zaldarriaga |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1970 | Catch Up With Tirso | himself | MBC 11 |
| 1987–1988 | Pubhouse | | IBC |
| 1990–1993 | Palibhasa Lalake | Elmer, Momoy | ABS-CBN |
| 1992–1997 | The Maricel Drama Special | Various Roles | ABS-CBN |
| 1992–1995 1995–1997 | Valiente | Theo Braganza | ABS-CBN GMA Network |
| 1993 | Star Drama Theater Presents: Lorna: Si Thea at si Thea | Elis | ABS-CBN |
| 1994 | Star Drama Theater Presents: Carmina: Salarin | Unknown | ABS-CBN |
| 1997 | Star Drama Theater Presents: Rica: Pilat | Unknown | ABS-CBN |
| 1998–1999 | Halik sa Apoy | Benjamin Rosales | GMA Network |
| 2002–2003 | Sana ay Ikaw na Nga | Juancho Fulgencio | GMA Network |
| 2003–2004 | It Might Be You | Ernest Lord Trinidad | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin | Roden Ynares | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Magpakailanman | Various | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Daisy Siete | Various | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia | Barkus | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas | Barkus | GMA Network |
| 2006 | I Luv NY | Edward Young | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Lupin | Fundador "Duroy" de Dios | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan | Ramiro, Kuuma Le-ar (voice) | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Sine Novela: Kaputol ng Isang Awit | Arsenio Rivera | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Obra | Guest Role | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Sine Novela: Paano Ba ang Mangarap? | Don Mateo Valderama | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Komiks Presents: Mars Ravelo's Nasaan Ka Maruja? | Joselito L. Ocampo Jr. | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Only You | Theodore "Teddy" Javier Sr. | ABS-CBN |
| 2009–2010 | Ikaw Sana | Gener Montemayor | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Carlo J. Caparas' Panday Kids | Augusto Luna | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Endless Love | Robert Dizon | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Jillian: Namamasko Po | Chief R | GMA Network |
| 2011 | I Heart You, Pare! | Cesar "Sarsi" Estrella | GMA Network |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Rene Mosqueda† | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2012 | Budoy | Antonio "Anton" Maniego (anti-hero) | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Valiente | Don Luis Regalado | TV5 |
| 2012 | Lorenzo's Time | Manuel Montereal† (protagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw | Rodrigo Manrique† | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala | Romulos Diomedes (main antagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | The Ryzza Mae Show | Guest | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym: The Christmas Visitor | Big J / Mr. Jacinto | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Ikaw Lamang | Eduardo Hidalgo† (protagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Pinoy Big Brother: All In | Guest Judge | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Hawak Kamay | Philip Agustin | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Wansapanataym: I Heart Kuryente Kid | Barry Gonzales | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Gregorio "Lolo Greggy" Noble (protagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (season 2) | Judge Arturo "Art" M. Padua (antagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | A Love to Last | Antonio "Tony" Noble III (anti-hero) | ABS-CBN |
| 2017–2018 | Wildflower | Julio Ardiente (primary antagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | The General's Daughter | Santiago "Tiago" Guerrero (primary antagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | Starla | Robert Salazar (antagonist) | ABS-CBN |
| 2019–2022 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (seasons 7-9) | Sec. Arturo "Art" M. Padua† (primary antagonist) | ABS-CBN / Kapamilya Channel |
| 2022–2023 | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Padre Damaso Verdolagas (antagonist) | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Royal Blood | Don Gustavo Royales (antagonist/anti-hero) | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Pamilya Sagrado | Jaime Sagrado (primary antagonist) | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2024 | The Bagman | | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| 1970 | Awit Awards | Best New Male Singer | — | Won |
| 1990 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Won |
| 1990 | FAP Awards | Best Actor | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Won |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actor | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Nominated |
| 1993 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kahit Buhay Ko | Nominated |
| 1993 | FAP Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kahit Buhay Ko | Won |
| 1993 | Gawad Urian | Best Supporting Actor | Kahit Buhay Ko | Nominated |
| 1994 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa | Nominated |
| 1996 | FAP Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin | Nominated |
| 1997 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Hangga't May Hininga | Nominated |
| 2003 | FAP Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Diskarte | Nominated |
| 2004 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Chavit | Nominated |
| 2011 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Sigwa | Nominated |
| 2012 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | No Other Woman | Nominated |
Gawad Urian Awards
* 1996 Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor - Inagaw Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin (nom.)
* 2003 Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor - Mano Po (nom.)
* 2011 Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor - Sigwa (nom.)
* 2012 Gawad Urian Best Actor - Bisperas (nom.)
* 2016 Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor - Honor Thy Father (nom.)
Golden Screen 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
* 2013 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series-Budoy (nom)
* 2014 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series-Huwag ka lang mawawala (nom)
* 1997 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actor - Valiente
* 1973 Box Office King

### Nominated

| Year | Organization | Category/Nominated work | Work | Remarks |
| | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actor | Bilangin Mo Ang Bituin Sa Langit | Nominated |
| | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Mano Po | Nominated |
| | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Inagaw Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin | Nominated |
| 2008 | 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Actor | Kaputol ng Isang Awit | Nominated |
| 2013 | 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Supporting Actor | Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala | Nominated |
| 2014 | 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Supporting Actor | Ikaw Lamang | Nominated |
| 2015 | 41st Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Honor Thy Father | Won |