Remembering Red Sternberg and his short showbiz journey

Red Sternberg on quitting showbiz: “I just felt na it was time to move on.”

Red Sternberg made a name in the ’90s as part of the youth-oriented show TGIS: Thank God It’s Sabado, which aired on GMA-7. 
PHOTO/S: Red Sternberg (Instagram)

Showbiz fans, especially those who grew up in the ’90s, were saddened by the news of actor Red Sternberg’s death at age 50.

The former matinee idol “suddenly passed away” on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in the United States, where he had been living with his family for many years.

“It is hard to find the words right now to say that this has been the most difficult time I have ever gone through my whole life,” Red’s wife, Sandy, posted on social media.

“To those who knew him from his early acting days, he was ‘Kiko,’ but to our three kids and I he was simply Daddy/Dada. Today [May 30] would have been his 51st birthday.

“Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. I would kindly request our need for privacy at this time as we navigate this difficult journey.”

Many of Red’s close friends in showbiz expressed disbelief upon hearing the sad news.

“Our entire barkada is devastated,” wrote Rica Peralejo, Red’s love-team partner in TGIS, on Instagram.

Actress and Pasig city councilor Angelu de Leon posted an art card with the words “KIKO”—the name of Red’s character in TGIS—along with three broken heart emojis.

As memories and messages pour in, here are fast backs about Red, one of the 1990s’ most memorable young stars.

A GEMINI

Half-Filipino, half-German Rodwick “Red” Sternberg was born on May 30, 1974.

HE LOVED COMPUTERS

Red was fond of computers even at a young age.

“At the age of 15, he started building his own PCs, which became a hobby,” stated a profile write-up about Red on the website of the hotel management company, By The Sea Resorts.

Photo/s: Red Sternberg (Instagram)

He took up Computer Science at Adamson University in Manila.

JOINING SHOWBIZ

Red’s boyish good looks made him a natural fit for showbiz.

He ventured into modeling and soon landed roles in television commercials and print ads, quickly capturing the public’s attention.

Red would become a household name when he was cast in the popular youth-oriented show TGIS: Thank God It’s Sabado in 1995.

Joining Red in the GMA-7 show were fellow young stars Bobby Andrews, Angelu de Leon, Michael Flores, and Raven Villanueva, among others.

Red portrayed the role of Francisco Arboleda “Kiko” De Dios.

He became known in TGIS for his often “bulol” way of delivering lines, which made him even more endearing to fans.

The cast of TGIS: (L-R, seated) Rica Peralejo, Onemig Bondoc, Michael Flores, Red Sternberg; (L-R, standing) Raven Villanueva, Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews, Ciara Sotto 
Photo/s: @redsternberg on Instagram

“Before the taping ng unang episode ng TGIS, my role was supposed to be Bobby’s role, Wacks. Bobby was supposed to be Kiko,” Red reminisced in a video interview for Tunay na Buhay aired in July 2021.

“And after the reading and everything, the roles changed, just because of the comic timing. I could relate more to Kiko, and Bobby could relate more to Wacks.”

Thanks to TGIS and the popularity he enjoyed on the show, Red would star in the movie It’s Cool Bulol in 1998.

He also appeared in the movies Silaw, Sumigaw Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo, and My Pledge of Love, among others.

QUITTING SHOWBIZ

Unlike many of his peers, including his TGIS co-stars, Red’s time in showbiz was relatively brief—from 1995 to 1999.

He quietly left the industry to explore other career paths, including working in the call center industry.

Eventually, the former heartthrob migrated to the United States, where he worked as a hotel manager.

Red shared the difficulties he and his family went through chasing opportunities from one state to another.

“Mahirap. Ang concept ng tao, e, madali ang buhay dito, pero actually, dito, e, kayod kalabaw,” Red told Tunay na Buhay host Pia Archangel when asked about his life residing and working in the U.S.

“We have been city and state-hopping for the past 14 years —Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, North Carolina—five states in 14 years,” he pointed out.

Red added, “Actually, all my three kids are born in different states. Nag-start ako as a front desk agent and worked my way up to a general manager.”

WHY RED LEFT SHOWBIZ?

In the same interview, Red looked back on his stalled showbiz career and why he walked away from fame.

“Siguro it was a combination ng burnout, tatlong TV shows, gumagawa ng dalawang pelikula, everyday trabaho,” recalled Red.

“Ako yung tipong I never had a driver, wala akong PA, lahat ako.

“I just felt na it was time to move on.”

When asked about potentially giving acting another go, Red replied, “No. Do I miss it? Yeah. Do I still wanna do it in the future? Maybe.”

RED’S PAST ROMANCE WITH RICA PERALEJO

Red had a short-lived romantic relationship with TGIS co-star and love-team partner Rica Peralejo.

Why didn’t it work?

Rica told Fast Talk with Boy Abunda in April 2024: “Siguro kasi, ang bata ko pa nga, maybe they felt—duda ko lang—they felt Red was already a bit mature for me tapos ako, sobrang bata.”

Continued Rica with a laugh: “So parang natakot ako. The next day, binawi ko.”

Rica also talked about her one-day relationship with Red in a PEP Live interview in March 2021: “So kaya, after ko ibigay yung ‘yes’ ko, binawi ko one day after.

“And I remember, parang nagalit yata sa akin si Red nun, di ko na maalala.”

HAPPILY MARRIED AND WITH KIDS

Red and his wife, Sandy, were blessed with three beautiful children.

Red Sternberg and his daughters 
Photo/s: @redsternberg on Instagram

The former TGIS star described himself as a strict parent.

Red Sternberg and wife Sandy 
Photo/s: @redsternberg on Instagram

How did he meet Sandy?

Red shared: “Meron akong date, and we were supposed to meet in a bar.

“Pagdating niya, kasama niya yung asawa ko [Sandy]. After maybe a week or so, I went out with her [Sandy].

“I think hindi kami nagkita ng four or five years.

“The next time she messaged me, ‘Hey, I’m in Manila.’ Then nagkita kami that night and then she flew back to the U.S. the next day, and then we were just chatting, and I just asked her [to get married], and she said yes.”

Red, you will be missed—not only by your family but also by the many fans whose lives you touched.