Richard Gomez
A matinee idol turned political force, he swapped the screen for public service, governing a city and now representing a district in Congress.
Born 1966 (age 60)·Filipino actor and politician·Birthday: April 7·Generation X
Biography
Richard Gomez built a formidable career in Philippine entertainment, becoming a household name through decades of film and television roles that capitalized on his leading-man charisma. His trajectory took a decisive turn when he entered politics, leveraging his public profile for a hands-on role in governance. He served as mayor of Ormoc City, a major urban center in Leyte, where he focused on infrastructure and disaster resilience. His political ascent continued with a successful bid for the House of Representatives, where he now serves as Congressman for Leyte's 4th district. Beyond acting and politics, Gomez is a dedicated sportsman, having competed as a national épée fencer, embodying a blend of discipline and showmanship that defines his multifaceted life.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Richard was born in 1966, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Richard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1966
#1 Movie
The Bible: In the Beginning
Best Picture
A Man for All Seasons
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Richard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1966Born
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1971Started school
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1979Became a teenager
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Could drive
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1984Could vote
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Turned 21
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1996Turned 30
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 40
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 50
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 60
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as Mayor of Ormoc City from 2016 to 2022, overseeing significant urban development projects.
- Elected as the Representative for Leyte's 4th district in the Philippine House of Representatives in 2022.
- Maintained a successful acting career spanning decades, starring in numerous popular Filipino films and TV series.
- Represented the Philippines as a competitive épée fencer in international sporting events.
Did You Know?
He is a nationally ranked competitive fencer in the épée discipline.
He is married to actress Lucy Torres, who is also a politician serving as a Congresswoman.
He initially gained fame as a member of the 1990s love team 'Richard and Lucy' with his future wife.
He hosted the long-running Philippine game show 'Family Feud'.
He is an avid cyclist and often participates in long-distance biking events.
“Public service is a different stage, but the script is written by the people.”
