Ronnie Ricketts

Film career

Ricketts was a ramp model before he entered the movie industry in the early 80's. He was first noticed by RVQ's (Dolphy) film production as a potential handsome action star. He was introduced in the Dolphy-Nida Blanca film, My Heart Belongs To Daddy (1982), where he was paired with Maricel Soriano. He was being billed as the other love interest of Soriano in the movie I Love You, I Hate You (1983), together with William Martinez, and The Graduates (1986) under Regal Films starring Snooky Serna and Gabby Concepcion. He was cast in several Dolphy-Alma Moreno movies such as Good Morning, Professor (1982) and Crazy Professor (1985) with Aga Muhlach and Janice de Belen.

His movies were a blend of drama, comedy and action. He worked with other action stars that were also at the peak of their careers, Lito Lapid, Dante Varona and Bong Revilla. His unforgettable portrayal was with Revilla in the Imus Production's Sparrow Unit, where he won an award as Best Supporting Actor. He was nominated as Best Supporting Actor FAMAS Award in the movie Sparrow Unit (1987), and FAMAS Best Actor in the movies Tatak Ng Isang Api (1989), and Isa-Isahin Ko Kayo (1990).

He landed lead roles in movies such as Uzi Brothers 9mm (1989) with Sonny Parsons, Target: Maganto (1989), Gapos Gang (1989), Baril Ko Ang Uusig (1990), and Matira Ang Matibay (1995) to name a few, some of which he did with his own movie outfit, Rockets Productions. He had the chance to play opposite many leading ladies such as Beverly Vergel, Vina Morales, and his real life partner, Mariz.

In 1994, Ricketts started producing movies through Rockets Productions. He was one of the youngest producers in tinsel town, who was able to produce quality films at reasonably low budgets. The company produced films which he himself wrote and directed.

One of his projects, Mano Mano (1995) was a testament of his creative talent, he wrote the script, played the lead role, directed and produced the movie where he was credited as Ronn-Rick, which became a big hit. The movie was so popular that a follow-up was inevitable. There were two sequels to the film - Mano Mano 2 (2001) and Mano Mano 3 (2004).

He has received the Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award and a star in the Walk of Fame in Eastwood.

In 2013, he starred on the film The Fighting Chefs in which he was also its director. It served as his film comeback.

Personal life

Ricketts was born and raised in Manila. His parents are Max Ricketts, an American businessman and 1963 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Edith Naldo, a Bicolana from Iriga City and are now based in San Diego, California where they manage their real estate business, Naldo-Ricketts Realty. He has two brothers, the late Grandmaster Christopher Ricketts (Chief Instructor and co-founder of Bakbakan International) and Alex Ricketts.

He started his primary schooling in Don Bosco and later spent his high school days at the Philippine Christian University-Union High School of Manila (PCU-UHSM). He was a famous player in the school's "Panthers" basketball team, where he was the team captain for several years. He enrolled at PCU college for a degree in Business Management. Again, Ronnie joined the school's varsity team and he made the team proud in several occasions.

He is married to actress, singer, and TV-host Mariz since December 18, 1993 in San Antonio Church in Forbes Park. They are blessed with two daughters Marella Rosabelle and Raechelle Marie. Mariz is also his business partner. ER Ejercito introduced Mariz to Ricketts.

He also became one of the past presidents of the Film Actors Guild. He has been a spokesperson for the Philippine Cancer Society for years.

He is also inducted to the Philippines Eastwood City Walk Of Fame in December 2010.

Optical Media Board (OMB)

In 2009, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, appointed Ricketts as the Chairman of the Optical Media Board following the resignation of Edu Manzano.

He received many awards and recognitions with his staff for his excellent performance as chairman of OMB, like Face of the Global Anti-Piracy of TFC-ABS-CBN, Certificate of Recognition on Anti-Piracy from the FAMAS, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines-IPR Enforcement Champion, MMDA Achievement Award, SM Cinema Certificate of Recognition Association of Video Distributors in the Philippines (AVIDPHIL), Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Certificate of Recognition Upholding Anti-Piracy, and Plaque of Recognition Against Piracy from PARI and AWIT Awards.

Ricketts agreed to direct and appear in an action movie with Viva Films on condition that he would only shoot on weekends so as not to hamper his job as chairman of Optical Media Board. He has so far turned down offers to appear in shows on the three major networks - ABS-CBN 2, GMA 7 and TV5 - because his work with the OMB "has now become a passion."

Filmography

Television

Movies