Veteran actress Jaclyn Jose passes away at 59
Renowned actress Jaclyn Jose has died at the age of 59. PPL Entertainment, Jose's agency, confirmed the news in a statement.
It read: "It saddens us to inform everyone of the untimely passing of Miss Jaclyn Jose (real name Mary Jane Guck). More details will be shared as soon as they are available. The Guck and Eigenmann families are requesting for everyone to please pray for the eternal repose of Miss Jaclyn Jose and for them to be allowed the respect and privacy to mourn her passing, and navigate these difficult times."
Jose is survived by her children Andi Eigenmann and Gwen Garimond.
Award-winning journey
Born Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck, Jose's acting career spans decades with the actress earning critical acclaim from Gawad Urian, Luna Awards, and FAMAS.
Born into a family of actors, Jose launched her acting career in 1984 with adult drama films Chicas and Private Show. The latter earned her a FAMAS Award nomination. Two years later, she secured her first acting accolade, a Gawad Urian Best Actress award, for another adult drama, Takaw Tukso.
In 1995, the mother of two transitioned to television, making her debut on ABS-CBN's Familia Zaragoza as Ester. She gained further popularity playing Magda in the popular teleserye Mula Sa Puso.
Jose's television career flourished with appearances in numerous teleseryes across both GMA Network and ABS-CBN. Some notable roles include Sana'y Ikaw Na Nga, Zorro, My Husband's Lover, Marimar, Hiram, Agua Bendita, Dyosa, and Prinsesa ng Banyera.
In 2016, Jose earned a Best Actress award from the international Cannes Film Festival for her role in Brilante Mendoza's Ma' Rosa. She became the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win the award.
The veteran actress is also known for her roles in Lino Brocka's White Slavery, The Flor Contemplacion Story, Patay na si Hesus, and more. She last appeared in FPJ's Batang Quiapo in 2023.
A hardworking single-parent
Beyond her acclaimed career, Jose raised two children as a single mother. Her daughter, Eigenmann, is from her relationship with the late actor Mark Gil, while Garimond, is her daughter with musician Kenneth Ilagan.
"Nag-oo ako nang nag-oo sa lahat ng trabaho ko, pero palaging sa kanila… Iniisip ko palagi na kung mawala man ako, alam ko na may matutuluyan silang magkapatid, meron silang pera. Ayokong danasin nila ang hirap ng buhay," she told PEP in an interview in September 2022.
"Pero alam mo, siguro talagang kahit sinong ina, talaga naman palagi, yung kapakanan ng mga anak ang palaging iniisip," Jose added.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include the statement from PPL Entertainment.