Viral: What happened to Dick Israel?
MANILA, Philippines - Who would think that this frail, old man was once one of the most revered actors in the Philippines?
On July 3, photos of the unrecognizable Dick Israel, 57 circulated online after it was posted by a netizen named Sidemiod Francisco Datanam.
From being one of the most feared villain in Filipino television, Dick now looks as if his thin body was about to break.
According to reports, Dick suffered stroke in 2010, leaving half of his body paralyzed and his speech slurred.
He was also one of the victims of the fire that set hundreds of houses ablaze in Caloocan.
Dick became an icon of the '80s and '90s for his award winning performances in more than 200 movies, playing mostly villain and sidekick roles. He was awarded Best Supporting Actor in 1988 for his role in "Patrolman" at the Metro Manila Film Festival, and in 1995 for his portrayal in "Kanto Boy 2: Anak ni Totoy Guapo" at the FAMAS Awards.
For those who want to help, he can be found at #144 Evangelista Street, Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City.
You may also donate to Damay Kamay Foundation, which has launched a fund drive for Dick.
