Rudy Francisco, the actor who played the beloved, forgetful grandfather of Karen and Gina in a McDonald’s iconic and heart-warming 90’s commercial, "Karen Po," passed away on Wednesday, May 8 at the age of 96.
In the said commercial, Lolo Rudy kept calling Karen "Gina" instead of her real name. "Saan ka ba galing, Gina?" Lolo Rudy asks in the commercial, to which Karen replies, "'Lo, Karen po!" When Karen appears irked by Lolo Rudy calling her Gina, the elderly man slices his burger in half and says the other half will go to her favorite granddaughter. "Ito, sa paborito kong apo, si Karen," he says.The commercial had touched the hearts of millions of viewers
Francisco, a Sampaguita Pictures contract star had a brief movie stint in the 50s. He quit and decided to to pursue law.
"Buhay Pilipino" (1952)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date July 4, 1952/ Life Theater
Music Pastor de Jesus and Tirso Cruz and his Manila Hotel Orchestra
Direction Olive La Torre
Cast Tita Duran, Pancho Magalona, Rudy Francisco/ Also Starring Chichay, Tolindoy, Aruray, Sylvia La Torre and Leonora Ruiz/ Supported by an All-Star Cast
"Binibining Kalog" (1955)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date October 2-11, 1955/ Dalisay
Music Prof. Rodolfo Cornejo, Jr.
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast Ramon Revilla, Lolita Rodriguez, Rudy Francisco, Rosa Mia, Tolindoy, Manolo Noble, Rod Navarro, Zeny Zabala, Ben Johnson, Precy Ortega/ Introducing Nelly Baylon
"Pampanggenya" (1956)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date August 22-31, 1956/ Life
Story Caravana and Laudico
Serialized in Liwayway Magazine
Music Constancio C. de Guzman
Direction Jose de Villa
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Linda Estrella, Rudy Francisco, Barbara Perez, Panchito Alaba, Nori Dalisay, Justiba David, Ben Johnson, Vic Guevarra, Marcela Garcia, Apolonia Aguilar
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date September 26- October 5, 1957/ Life
Screenplay Tommy David
Music Danny Holmsen
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Serialized in Hiwaga Komiks
Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rudy Francisco, Etang Discher, Daisy Romualdez, Chichay, Etang Discher, Bella Flores, Pablo Guevarra, Manolo Noble, Isa Rino, Jose Villafranca