Lolita Rodriguez (born Dolores Marquez Clark; January 29, 1935 – November 28, 2016) was a Filipino actress whose career spanned four decades. Regarded as the "Queen of Philippine Drama", she was noted for her restrained, subtle acting style and was famous for her performances in a range of film genres, from drama, comedy and action. She is a recipient of two FAMAS Awards for her portrayal in Gilda (1956) and Weighed But Found Wanting (1974).
Career In 1953, at the age of 18, she entered the movie industry. Her first movie was in Sampaguita Pictures Ating Pag-ibig (1953) starring Tita Duran and Pancho Magalona, followed by Apat Na Taga (1953), Cofradia (1953), Mr. Kasintahan (1953), Sabungera (1954), Pilya (1954) with Gloria Romero and Ric Rodrigo, Jack And Jill (1955) with Dolphy and Rogelio dela Rosa, Binibining Kalog (1955) with Ramon Revilla, Tanikalang Apoy (1955) with Paraluman, Kanto Girl (1956) with Oscar Moreno, and Alipin Ng Palad (1959) with Luis Gonzales.
She also appeared in action films including Tarhata (1957), Kilabot Sa Makiling (1959), Kapitan Lolita Limbas (1961) with Greg Martin, Eddie Garcia, Lito Legaspi and Josephine Estrada, and Diegong Tabak (1962).
After Sampaguita, she continued her work in cinema whenever a good role beckoned. At the 1968 Manila Film Festival, she was the Best Actress awardee for Kasalanan Kaya?, and also at the 1971 Catholic Mass Media Awards for Stardoom. Her most enduring achievement was starring in Lino Brocka's 1974 drama, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.
In 1979, she performed stage play Larawan playing Candida, at Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). She appeared in more than 85 movies in drama, comedy and action. During the same year, she made two important films with National Artist Lino Brocka with two equally-superb actresses - Charito Solis in Ina, Kapatid, Anak and Nora Aunor in Ina Ka ng Anak Mo, an entry in the 5th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The latter screen collaboration eventually made her share the best actress award with the Superstar.
She made a screen comeback in 1985 in Amazaldy Films' Paradise Inn, an entry in 10th MMMF, sharing equal billing with Vivian Velez. In 1991, she did a movie-made-for-television entitled, Lucia directed by Mel Chionglo.
Personal life She is daughter of an American father, William Charles Clark, and a Filipino mother, Carmen Marquez. Rodriguez was born in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. She married, and later divorced Eddie Arenas, also from Sampaguita Pictures. They have three children: Maria Dolores (Birdie), Eduardo Jr. (Bogey), and Maria Carmen (Par). All three are married with families of their own. The singer, Radha, is Bogey's oldest daughter. Rodriguez and her children migrated to the US in 1977 to be with her mother and siblings.
Death Rodriguez died of stroke on November 28, 2016, aged 81, at her home in Hemet, California.
Acting credits Stage Year Production Role Venue 1979LarawanCandidaDulaang Raha Sulayman, Fort Santiago
Film + Year Title Role Notes 1953Ang Ating Pag-ibigCofradia1954PilyaJack and JillBenitaDumagit1955Sa Dulo ng LandasBatas ng AlipinBinibining KalogEloisa1956Gilda1957Sino Ang Maysala?LolitaMga Anak ng DiyosCaridadVeronicaGabi at ArawBusabos1958TalipandasCondemned1959Pitong PagsisisiKilabot sa MakilingLilian1960Lupa sa LupaSofiaLauraLaura1961Nakasakdal sa Langit4 Yugto ng BuhayOctaviaOctaviaHalik sa Lupa1962The Big BroadcastDiegong Tabak1964Andres Bonifacio Ang SupremoSa Bilis, Walang KaparisFrom Tokyo with Love1967Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan1970Dipped in Gold Emma1971Stardoom Toyang1974Weighed But Found WantingKualaHappy Days Are Here AgainHerselfThree, Two, OneRosenda1976MortalAninoLunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo1979Ina, Kapatid, AnakPura Villasenor de los SantosIna Ka ng Anak Mo Renata1985Paradise InnEster1992LuciaLuciaThe film was made for the 1992 London International Environmental Film Festival, for which it won "Best Film".
Accolades + Organizations Year Recipient Category Result Citizen Council for Mass Media Awards1971StardoomBest ActressEastwood City Walk of Fame2006Lolita RodriguezInducteeFAMAS Awards1955Jack and JillBest Actress1956Rosana1957Gilda1958Busabos1959Condenado1960Kilabot sa Makiling1963Pitong Kabanalan ng Isang Makasalanan1964Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang1965Andres Bonifacio: Ang Supremo1966Iginuhit sa Buhangin1967Dugo ang Kulay ng Pag-ibig 1969Kasalanan Kaya?1970Ikaw1971Tubog sa Ginto1972Stardoom1975Tinimbang Ka Ngunit KulangGawad Parangal sa mga Ginintuang Bituin ng Pelikulang Pilipino2010Lolita RodriguezHonoreeGawad Urian1977Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, LinggoBest Actress1980Ina Ka ng Anak Mo1986Paradise InnLuna Awards2017Lolita RodriguezLamberto Avellana Memorial AwardManila Film Festival1968Kasalanan Kaya?Best ActressMetro Manila Film Festival1979Ina Ka ng Anak MoBest Actress
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