Cherie Gil Biography: Age, Movies, Height, Marriage, Parents, Awards, Ethnicity

Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann, professionally known as Cherie Gil, was a multi-awarded Filipino actress widely regarded as the country’s quintessential “contravida” or villain for her unforgettable portrayals of elegant, sharp-tongued, and often ruthless characters.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, she earned the title La Primera Contravida and collected every major acting award in the Philippines multiple times, proving her exceptional range in both drama and comedy.

Profile

• Full Name: Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann
• Stage Name: Cherie Gil
• Born: 21, June 1963
• Date of death: 5, August 2022 (Aged: 59 years old)
• Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
• Nationality: Filipino
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.68 m
• Parents: Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil
• Siblings: Mark Gil, Michael de Mesa
• Spouse: Rony Rogoff (m. 1994–2008)
• Children: Bianca Rogoff, Jay Gil Eigenmann, Raphael Rogoff
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $8 million

Early Life and Education

Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann was born on June 21, 1963, in Manila to one of the Philippines’ most renowned show-business families. She was the daughter of 1950s matinee idol Eddie Mesa, popularly known as the “Elvis Presley of the Philippines,” and actress-singer Rosemarie Gil.

She grew up alongside her brothers, Mark Gil and Michael de Mesa, who both became respected actors. Cherie attended La Salle Green Hills and later the American School in Makati before briefly studying theater in New York.

She came from pure Filipino showbiz royalty, and her specific religious affiliation was not publicly documented.

Career

Cherie Gil began acting as a child in the 1970s, appearing in films alongside her parents and siblings, but it was her teenage dramatic roles in the early 1980s that catapulted her to stardom.

She earned her first Best Supporting Actress award at the 1981 FAMAS for City After Dark and quickly became the go-to villain for Regal Films, delivering unforgettable performances in Problem Child (1980), Bubot na Bayani (1982), and most famously as Lavinia Arguelles in Bituing Walang Ningning (1985).

Her ability to portray sophisticated cruelty with wit and vulnerability set a new standard for antagonist roles in Philippine cinema.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Gil proved she was far more than a villain, winning Best Actress honors from FAMAS, Gawad Urian, Luna, and the Film Academy of the Philippines for powerful dramatic turns in films such as Sana Mauwi na Tayo (1993), Mumbaki (1996), and Son of the Pink Panther (1993, international).

She also shone in comedy and television, starring in long-running series like Marina, Bituing Walang Ningning (remake), and Rubi, while making acclaimed stage appearances in plays such as Master Class (2012), where she portrayed Maria Callas to critical raves.

In her later years she appeared in international productions and took on mature roles in Legal Wives (2021) and the film Sonata (2018).

Cherie Gil left behind a towering legacy as one of the finest actresses in Philippine entertainment history. With over 120 films and countless television appearances, she earned lifetime achievement awards from FAMAS, Gawad Urian, and the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Her fearless approach to complex characters, combined with her impeccable diction and commanding presence, influenced generations of performers and cemented her status as an untouchable icon of Philippine cinema.

Social Media

• Cherie Gil does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Cherie Gil married Israeli-American violinist Rony Rogoff in 1994; the couple had two children, Bianca and Raphael, before separating in 2005 and having their marriage annulled in 2008. She also had a son, Jay Gil Eigenmann, from a previous relationship with actor Leo Martinez.

In her later years she divided her time between Manila and New York City, where she underwent treatment for endometrial cancer. Cherie passed away on August 5, 2022, in New York at the age of 59.

Known for her fierce independence and devotion to her craft, she remained close to her children and siblings until the end.

Filmography

• Problem Child (1980)
• City After Dark (1980)
• Bubot na Bayani (1982)
• Bituing Walang Ningning (1985)
• Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (1986)
• Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (1987)
• Son of the Pink Panther (1993)
• Mumbaki (1996)
• Sugatang Puso (2001)
• Mana-mana Tiba-tiba (2000)
• Sonata (2018)

Net Worth

Cherie Gil had an estimated net worth of $8 million, earned through decades of leading film and television roles, high-paying endorsements, and real estate properties in Metro Manila and the United States, along with inheritance from her show-business family.

Even in her later years, residuals from her classic films and royalties from TV reruns continued to add to her estate.