Elizabeth Indino Ramsey (December 3, 1931 – October 8, 2015) was a Filipina singer, comedian, and actress. During her almost six-decade career, she established herself as an iconic showbiz personality and entertainer. Ramsey's unique appearance courtesy of her Filipino-Jamaican blood, stage antics, irreverent humor, and punchlines delivered in her heavy Visayan accent brought her into prominence in the Filipino entertainment industry. She is also the mother of popular Filipina singer Jaya.
Elizabeth Ramsey | |
|---|---|
 Ramsey watching the show Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1 in 2015 | |
| Born | Elizabeth Indino Ramsey December 3, 1931 San Carlos, Negros Occidental, Philippine Islands |
| Died | October 8, 2015 (aged 83) Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Stand-up comedian, singer, actress |
| Years active | 1958–2015 |
| Spouse | Isaac Johnson Sr. (died) - married only one time |
| Children | 4 (including Jaya) |
Early life
editRamsey was born on December 3, 1931, in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, to Arturo C. Ramsey, a United States merchant marine of Jamaican descent who was stationed in the Philippines, and Marcelina Rivera Indino; born in San Carlos City to a family of Filipino and Spanish descent.
Career
editRamsey's career began in 1958 after winning a singing contest in Student Canteen, the first noontime show on Philippine television.[1] After her win, Ramsey was immediately offered a slot to be a performer at the Manila Grand Opera House and then eventually the famous Clover Theater. Her raspy vocals and energetic live performances of rock and roll songs earned her the title as the country's "Queen of Rock and Roll". Some of her trademark songs include "Proud Mary", "Razzle Dazzle", and "Waray-Waray".
As early as 1961, she began performing in Las Vegas and different parts of the United States. She became the first Filipino to star in the Philippine Festival Las Vegas production of producer Steve Parker, ex-husband of actress Shirley MacLaine. She performed for soldiers in American bases in the Philippines and on the USS Enterprise for wounded American servicemen during the Vietnam War. Ramsey also ventured into acting and starred in notable films including Prinsesa Naranja (1960), Reyna ng Pitong Gatang (1980), and Ang Bukas ay Akin (1963), in which she was nominated for best supporting actress in the 1963 FAMAS Awards for her performance. In 1976, she gained household name status after playing Cleopatra in a popular Superwheel Detergent Bar commercial.
In the 1990s, she returned to the Philippines after living in the United States for several years and made a successful comeback by appearing in numerous movies and TV shows.
Personal life
editRamsey had 4 children (Isaac Johnson Jr., Mary Ann Johnson, Susan Johnson and Maria Luisa Ramsey). She was married to Black American US military merchant marine, Isaac Johnson, Sr.[1][2][3]
Death
editRamsey died October 8, 2015, in her sleep from a hyperglycemic attack[4][5] at the age of 83.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Mga Liham kay Tiya Dely | Third segment | ||
| Ang Lo'Waist Gang at si Og sa Mindoro | ||||
| 1959 | Ipinagbili Kami ng Aming Tatay | [6] | ||
| 1960 | Beatnik | |||
| Prinsesa Naranja | ||||
| 1962 | Pitong Atsay | |||
| In This Corner | ||||
| 1963 | Pinakamalaking Takas ng 7 Atsay | |||
| Ang Bukas Ay Akin! | ||||
| 1964 | Mga Kanang Kamay | |||
| Let's Go | ||||
| Jukebox Jamboree | ||||
| Pinoy Beatles | ||||
| Eddie Long Legs | ||||
| Mga Guerrera | ||||
| 1967 | D' Soul Beats | |||
| 1969 | Petrang Paminta | |||
| The Musical Giant | ||||
| 1970 | Areglado, Boss! | |||
| 1972 | Pearly Shells | |||
| Sa Jeepney ang Hirap, sa Goodtime ang Sarap | ||||
| Trubador | ||||
| 1973 | Ato ti Bondying | |||
| 1974 | Vilma and the Beep Beep Minica | |||
| 1976 | Divino (The Blessed Man) | |||
| Barok | ||||
| 1980 | Reyna ng Pitong Gatang | |||
| 1996 | Neber 2 Geder | Andrew's aunt | ||
| Hindi Ako Ander (Itanong Mo Kay Kumander) | Matilda |
References
edit- ^ a b Logarta, Michelle. "A thousand laughs in a lifetime". Philstar.com.
- ^ "Proud Mary, Proud Mama". The Philippine Star. August 30, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ "Elizabeth Ramsey dies". Entertainment Weekly. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Actress Elizabeth Ramsey passes away at 83". INQUIRER.net. October 8, 2015.
- ^ "Elizabeth Ramsey dies in her sleep at 83". Pinoy Showbiz Daily. 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Comedy addicts have field day in riotous Sampaguita offering". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 16, 1959. p. 5-B.
Seranade Under the Sun, where Elizabeth Ramsey wooes Dolphy.... Sampaguita's 'Ipinagbili Kami ng Aming Tatay' opens at the Life Theatre, Nov. 16.