Cocoy Laurel

Victor "Cocoy" Diaz Laurel (March 2, 1953 – June 14, 2025) was a Filipino singer and actor.

Early life and education Victor Diaz Laurel was born in the Philippines on March 2, 1953, to lawyer Salvador Laurel (who later became Vice President) and theater actress Celia Diaz. He was the eldest son among eight children, with older sisters and younger siblings. He studied at the La Salle Green Hills for his elementary and high school studies. Laurel was reportedly shy and was bullied by older youth.

At 19 years old, he moved to Madrid to study portrait painting at Academia Real de Bellas Artes. Laurel in between acting also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and music at Juilliard School in 1972; both in New York.

Career Early years and appearance in film Laurel was first scouted via a 1967 Romeo and Juliet of the Philippines talent search contest in the Philippines organized by Paramount Pictures. He was selected as the Romeo for the talent search associated with Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. He also sang the theme song of the film at Two for the Road of Elvira Manahan.

Laurel was known for being part of a love team with Nora Aunor. They debuted together in the film Lollipops and Roses (1971) before appearing in Impossible Dream (1973), and Lollipops and Roses at Buroong Talangka (1975). He also appeared in films such as Ophelia and Paris, Disco Fever, and Pinoy American Style. His last film was in 1982.

Theatre career From the 1980s to 1990s, Laurel acted in musicals featuring in local adaptations of Broadway acts. This includes the West Side Story, The King and I and Les Misérables.

In 1989, Laurel joined the Miss Saigon cast featuring Lea Salonga in London acting for two years. He played the role as the assistant commissar. After convincing by producer, Cameron Mackintosh he moved to Australia to fulfill the role of the Engineer of the same musical. He did at least 450 shows.

Illness and death Laurel sustained a spinal injury at the 2005 musical The Miraculous Virgin of Caysasay, which was later attributed by his brother David to be the start of the decline of his health until his death. He died on June 14, 2025, due to a cardiac arrest arising from multiple organ failure. He was 72.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1971 Lollipops and Roses 1973 Impossible Dream 1974Oh Margie OhVictor 1975 Lollipops and Roses at Buroong Talangka

Accolades Year Group Category Work Result 1972 FAMAS Awards Best Theme Song Ang Uliran