John Lloyd Cruz

John Lloyd Espidol Cruz, born on June 24, 1983, is a prominent Filipino actor regarded by media outlets as a leading figure in contemporary Philippine cinema. Beginning his acting career as a teenager, Cruz has headlined dozens of television and film productions. Over his career, he has starred in numerous movies that exceeded ₱100 million in domestic grosses, accumulating billions of pesos in total box-office receipts and establishing himself as one of the highest-earning performers in the Philippine film industry.

Cruz was raised as the youngest child of Luisito Llora and Aida Espidol Cruz. He completed his elementary education at Marikina Catholic School in 1996. After a talent scout discovered him in a shopping mall, he chose to enter the entertainment industry to support his family following financial difficulties with his father's marble business. At age 14, he joined ABS-CBN's Star Magic as part of Batch 5 and was featured in the teen group Koolits. His initial screen appearances included reenactment shows like Compañero y Compañera and Calvento Files, followed by a role in the miniseries Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako.

His early television recognition came in 1999 when he was cast as Rovic in the teen drama Tabing Ilog. Cruz achieved his major career breakthrough playing Yuri in the 2002 series Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, which marked his first project alongside frequent co-star Bea Alonzo. He went on to star in television projects such as Maging Sino Ka Man, I Love Betty La Fea, and Imortal with Angel Locsin. Additionally, Cruz performed on the Sunday variety show ASAP, joined the group Kanto Boys, and starred in the sitcom Home Sweetie Home from 2014 until taking an indefinite leave from show business in 2017. He made a television comeback in 2021 by joining Crown Artist Management, signing with GMA Network, and starring in the sitcom Happy Together.

Cruz established a highly successful film career through romantic dramas and comedies. He achieved major box-office successes alongside Sarah Geronimo in A Very Special Love and its sequels, You Changed My Life and It Takes a Man and a Woman. His onscreen partnership with Bea Alonzo yielded multiple hits, including One More Chance, Miss You Like Crazy, The Mistress, and the 2015 film A Second Chance, which earned over ₱556 million. Beyond mainstream romantic roles, Cruz co-produced and starred in the 2015 drama Honor Thy Father, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Throughout his career, Cruz has won around 80 awards, including two FAMAS Awards and two Gawad Urian Awards. He was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actor to receive the Star Asia Award at the New York Asian Film Festival, and he later earned the Boccalino d’Oro Prize for Best Actor at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival for his work in Essential Truths of The Lake. Outside of acting, Cruz entered business by launching the transport app Trike Now in 2021. He shares a son, Elias Modesto, with former co-star Ellen Adarna, and confirmed his relationship with visual artist Isabel Santos in 2023.