Veteran actor Dick Israel (real name: Ricardo Michaca) passed away on Tue night, Oct 11, actress Vivian Velez confirmed. He was 68.
“Velez, in an interview with dzMM, said that Israel’s son told her that the actor started vomiting blood before he died inside their house,” reports ABS-CBN News Online.
It may be recalled that Israel suffered a stroke in 2010 that left half of his body paralyzed and affected his speech.
In July this year, a fire hit Israel’s Caloocan City home, destroying practically everything he had worked for in his long showbiz career.
The report pointed out: “Velez is part of Damay Kamay, an organization founded by artists to provide assistance to their needy colleagues in the entertainment industry. She also helped Israel and his family relocate to their new residence.”
While dzMM was able to contact Israel’s family, his relatives requested that they be given privacy.
Israel was one of the most recognized character actors in Philippine showbiz. He specialized in playing villains. This was far from his real-life persona, as he was described as “a gentle soul” by his peers.
