Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

If you lived in the Philippines in the 60’s and like going to the movies, you can’t help but get a distinct sense of déjà vu when watching matinee idol Richard Gutierrez on TV and films today. For Richard looks so much like his 60’s matinee idol dad, Eddie Gutierrez.

Like father, like son. Gifted with the same unbelievably handsome features, great sex and mass appeal, and outstanding acting talents, the father and son team of Eddie and Richard Gutierrez is a rarity indeed!

While many are amazed at the way fate has destined that father and son would become look-alikes and both become matinee idols of their generations, none could be more pleasantly surprised than Eddie Gutierrez himself.

That’s because although he was one of the most popular actors in the 1960s, by the late 1970’s Eddie thought that his career as an actor was over. So much so that Eddie packed up all his belongings and immigrated to the US to start a new life in California with hiswife Annabelle Rama and their children. Eddie embarked on a different career, selling pots and pans in the US and made good money from it. It was in California that Richard and his twin brother Raymond were born.

While Eddie thought showbiz was already in his past, little did he imagine that the best was still to come. After more than a decade in the US, Eddie decided he missed his homeland, and his acting career. So back he came, now with Annabelle and their six children: Ruffa, Elvis, Rocky, twins Richard and Raymond, and Richie Paul.

Upon his return, Eddie Gutierrez was able to revive his acting career. He undertook new roles which he hadn’t tackled before—as the vile haciendero, the crooked politician, the top villain. Among the many movies where he appeared in were Katawang Lupa (1975), Ursula (1976), Beerhouse (1977), Bontoc (1977), Balatkayo (1978), Bomba Star (1980), Sari-saring Ibong Kulasisi (1978), Lagi na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? (1978), and Lumakad Ka, Gabi (1979).

In 1991, Eddie was nominated Best Supporting Actor by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) for Uubusin Ko Ang Lahi Mo (1991). He received the FAP award for Best Actor and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts & Sciences (FAMAS) for Best Supporting Actor for Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal (1992).

But it wasn’t just Eddie’s career that blossomed, his wife and children too began to carve out their own identities in the Philippine showbiz industry. Wife Annabelle started a career as a successful talent manager and together with Eddie formed the Royal ERA production company. Only daughter Ruffa Gutierrez became a Miss World runner-up, actress and TV host. Raymond, Rocky and Richie also entered showbiz. Eddie’s other sons, Tonton Gutierrez (by Liza Lorena) and Ramon Christopher (by Pilita Corrales) also became notable actors themselves. And of course, Richard - who started his showbiz career as a child actor together with his twin brother Raymond.