# Luis Gonzales

Luis Franco Mercado (June 21, 1928 – March 15, 2012) also known as Luis Gonzales, was a Filipino actor who appeared in more than 100 films during his career, most of them by Sampaguita Pictures. He worked with various celebrities such as Lolita Rodriguez, Gloria Romero, Dolphy, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Eddie Garcia, and others during his career.

## Early Life

Born on June 21, 1928 in San Luis, Pampanga and raised in Tondo, Manila, Gonzales may be best known for his portrayals of former President Ferdinand Marcos in three films: Iginuhit ng Tadhana (1965), a political propaganda film; Pinagbuklod ng Langit (1969), a dramatic film; and Kumander Dante (1988), an action film. Actress Gloria Romero starred opposite him as Imelda Marcos for the former two films. Gonzales and Romero starred in numerous other films together as well.
They first worked together on the 1955 film, Despatsadora, and were paired together more than 30 films under Sampaguita Pictures. He also won 4 FAMAS Awards in his movies as Best Actor such as Iginuhit ng Tadhana, Talipandas, Alaala Kita, and Pinagbuklod ng Langit in the years 1959, 1966 and 1970.

## Later Life

His last movie was Xerex released in 2003 with co-star former actress Aubrey Miles and model turned actor, Jon Hall.
In December 2009, Gonzales received a star of the Eastwood City Walk of Fame, which marked his last public appearance.

## Death

Gonzales died of complications from pneumonia and heart problems at Makati Medical Center on the night of March 15, 2012, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife, Vina Concepcion, and their three children. His funeral (cremation was scheduled in Friday) and three-day-week burial were held at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati. The Interment is on Monday, 2 p.m. for his wake.

## Filmography
### Film

| Title | Role | Year |
| Pilya | | 1954 |
| Bakasyonista | | 1954 |
| Nagkita si Kerubin at si Tulisang Pugot | Luis | 1954 |
| Luha ng Birhen | | 1954 |
| Artista | | 1955 |
| Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig | Luis | 1955 |
| Despatsadora | Ernesto | 1955 |
| Contravida | | 1955 |
| Hootsy Kootsy | | 1955 |
| Teresa | Tony | 1956 |
| Pampangueña | | 1956 |
| Chabacano | | 1956 |
| Bakasyonista | | 1956 |
| Tumbando Caña | Ram | 1956 |
| Boksingera | Brando | 1956 |
| Pagdating ng Takip-Silim | Karlos | 1956 |
| Sino ang May Sala? | Luis | 1957 |
| Pasang Krus | | 1957 |
| Ismol Bat Teribol | Mauro | 1957 |
| Isang Milyong Kasalanan | | 1957 |
| Colegiala | Cornelio | 1957 |
| Taga sa Bato | | 1957 |
| Paruparong Bukid | | 1958 |
| Alaala Kita | | 1958 |
| Mga Reyna ng Vicks | Luis Villamor | 1958 |
| Tatlong Ilaw ng Dambana | | 1958 |
| Alaalang Banal | | 1958 |
| Talipandas | Bien | 1958 |
| Condenado | | 1958 |
| Ikaw ang Aking Buhay | Manuel | 1959 |
| Alipin ng Palad | | 1959 |
| Pitong Pagsisisi | | 1959 |
| Cicatriz | | 1959 |
| Palanca | | 1960 |
| Laura | | 1960 |
| Kuwintas ng Alaala | | 1960 |
| Ipagdarasal Kita | | 1960 |
| Lupa sa Lupa | Saldo | 1960 |
| Double Cross | Joey | 1960 |
| Ang Inyong Lingkod, Gloria Romero | | 1960 |
| Salamat Po, Doktor | Dr. Ramon Gonzales | 1960 |
| Ginang Hukom ("Pinatay Ko ang Aking Ina" segment) | | 1960 |
| 7 Amores ("Pampango Story" segment) | | 1960 |
| Wen Manang | | 1961 |
| Tatlong Panata | Pablo Montalban | 1961 |
| Makasalanang Daigdig | | 1961 |
| Apat na Yugto ng Buhay | | 1961 |
| Batas ng Lipunan | | 1961 |
| Dayukdok | | 1961 |
| Holiday in Bali | Angelo Reyes | 1962 |
| Bulung-Bulungan | Renato | 1962 |
| Amaliang Mali-Mali | | 1962 |
| The Big Broadcast | | 1962 |
| Sinisinta Kita | | 1963 |
| Dance-O-Rama | | 1963 |
| Apat ang Anak ni David | Danilo | 1963 |
| Trudis Liit | | 1963 |
| Show of Shows | | 1964 |
| Jukebox Jamboree | | 1964 |
| Fighting Warays sa Ilocos | | 1964 |
| Bumunot Ka't Lumaban | | 1964 |
| Ang Rosaryo at ang Taba | | 1964 |
| Mga Kanyon sa Corregidor | | 1964 |
| Paano Kita Lilimutin? | | 1965 |
| Hamon Sa Kampeon | | 1965 |
| Iginuhit ng Tadhana (The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story) | Ferdinand Marcos | 1965 |
| Kapag Langit ang Umuusig | | 1966 |
| Ang Tao Ay Makasalanan | | 1966 |
| Kaibigan Ko'ng Sto. Niño | Crispin | 1967 |
| Maruja | Rosanno Gabriel | 1967 |
| Sino ang Dapat Sisihin? | | 1967 |
| Walang Hari ang Batas | | 1968 |
| Triple | Arnel | 1968 |
| Siete Dolores | | 1968 |
| Liku-Likong Landas | | 1968 |
| Kamatayan Ko ang Ibigin Ka | | 1968 |
| Elizabeth | | 1968 |
| Pinagbuklod ng Langit | Ferdinand Marcos | 1969 |
| Adriana | Cornelio | 1969 |
| Haydee | | 1970 |
| Ganid sa Laman | | 1970 |
| For You Mama | | 1970 |
| Snooky | | 1970 |
| My Beloved | | 1970 |
| Tubog sa Ginto | Celso | 1971 |
| Robina | Danilo | 1971 |
| Sakim | | 1971 |
| Ito Ba ang Pag-Ibig? | | 1971 |
| Always in My Heart | | 1971 |
| My Blue Hawaii | | 1972 |
| A Gift of Love | | 1972 |
| Just Married 'Do Not Disturb' | | 1972 |
| Winter Holiday | | 1972 |
| Nardong Putik | | 1972 |
| And God Smiled at Me | | 1972 |
| Cofradia | | 1973 |
| Kapitan Eddie Set | | 1974 |
| Kahit ang Mundo'y Magunaw | Armando | 1975 |
| Lulubog Lilitaw sa Ilalim ng Tulay | Luis Samaniego | 1975 |
| May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi | | 1975 |
| Niño Valiente | | 1975 |
| Siya'y Umalis, Siya'y Dumating | | 1975 |
| Batu-Bato sa Langit | | 1975 |
| Hindi Tayo Talo | | 1975 |
| Roma-Amor | Frankie Baron | 1978 |
| Pieta | Rubio | 1983 |
| JR | | 1983 |
| Anak ni Waray vs Anak ni Biday | Eli | 1984 |
| Pahiram ng Ligaya | | 1985 |
| Anak ni Waray vs Anak ni Biday | Luis | 1986 |
| Clarizza | | 1986 |
| Family Tree | Fidel | 1987 |
| Sa Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas | | 1988 |
| Kumander Dante | Ferdinand Marcos | 1988 |
| Madonna, Babaeng Ahas | Zacarias | 1991 |
| Kidlat ng Maynila: Joe Pring 2 | Kabo dela Cruz | 1991 |
| Dinampot Ka Lang sa Putik | | 1991 |
| Adventures of 'Gary Leon at Kuting' | Governor | 1991 |
| Kamay ni Cain | | 1992 |
| Ang Katawan ni Sofia | | 1992 |
| Jaime Labrador: Sakristan Mayor | Father David | 1992 |
| Kadenang Bulaklak | Domeng Abolencia | 1993 |
| Humanda Ka Mayor!: Bahala Na ang Diyos | | 1993 |
| Aguinaldo | General | 1993 |
| Iukit Mo sa Bala | Mayor Roman Guerrero | 1994 |
| Iligpit si Victor Saraza | | 1994 |
| Seth Corteza | | 1996 |
| Where Is the Heart | Congressman | 1997 |
| Babae | Lolo Arman | 1997 |
| Kargado | | 1998 |
| Tatlong Makasalanan | | 1999 |
| The Debut | Tito Dante | 2000 |
| I Think I'm in Love | Ising | 2002 |
| Message Sent | | 2003 |
| Xerex | B.J. ("Kama" segment) | 2003 |