MANILA - Dick Israel, the veteran character actor who brought dignity to a panoply of villainous film roles back when the action genre ruled Philippine theaters, died on Tuesday. He was 65.

His death was revealed by actress Vivian Velez, three months after a fire razed his house and most of his belongings, leaving him begging for help from his showbiz contemporaries as he struggled to recover from a stroke.

In an acting career than spanned more than 40 years, Israel, inspired by Hollywood greats such as Jack Nicholson and John Lithgow, earned his stripes portraying villains whose loathsome grins incited hate from Filipino moviegoers --a feeling he relished.

He even went as far as to dub himself as "the best rapist in town."

"Papasok ako sa sinehan nang palihim. Naririnig ko 'yung mga nanonood, they hate me. I feel elated, kasi 'yun talaga ang trabaho ko eh, ang galitin nila. Meaning, successful talaga akong kontrabida," he told ANC in an interview in 2012.

Israel, who dropped out of college to pursue a career in acting, had his early success when he made his debut on the 1970 musical drama "I Love You Honey," which starred now-industry icons Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz. This, after being introduced to the world of cinema by his director-father, who sadly passed away before his career took off.

He brought nuance to each of the over 200 roles he was given, which cemented his name at the foot of the pantheon of late greats such as Fernando Poe Jr. and Rudy Fernandez. He knew that image was just as important as talent, and held the cruelly-realist outlook that "money made the world go round."

"Nung araw naalala ko nung sinabi nila, kapag pinatawag ka ng producer at dumating kang naka-Mercedes Benz ka, pang naka-Mercedez Benz ang presyo mo. Pero kapag dumating ka ng naka-taxi ka lang, taxi lang presyo na makukuha mo," he explained.

His effort to make his character roles stand out despite having limited lines was validated when 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.

He dedicated his 1995 win to his mother, whom he considered to be his biggest critic. "I offered it to her. But she died na rin nung first kaya I cried nung nanalo ako," he admitted.

When the action genre waned, Israel, out of necessity, ventured into television beginning in 1999, appearing in the comedy series "Beh Bote Nga." He had his hesitations, but he needed to survive. In his words that would echo in the ears of modern actors today: "You won't survive kung hindi ka gagawa ng television."

On Tuesday evening, his life was celebrated on social media by fans and industry professionals alike. Velez, who broke the news of his death, wrote on her Facebook page: "Remembering his wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. RIP Dick Israel."

I'd like to extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of the great Dick Israel.

— Frasco Mortiz (@Frasco_Mortiz) October 11, 2016

RIP Dick Israel. You will be greatly remembered. 🙏🙏

— Paulo Avelino (@mepauloavelino) October 11, 2016