In the '90s, Red Sternberg was most popularly known as one of the teen heartthrobs from the youth-oriented series T.G.I.S which ran from 1995 to 1999 where he played the role of the playful and charming Kiko. Red, who was initially handpicked to play the role of rich boy Wacks, ended up switching characters with Bobby Andrews before taping began for the show.
In a 2021 interview on Tunay na Buhay, Red shared, “Before the taping ng unang episode ng TGIS, my role was supposed to be Bobby's role, Wacks. Bobby was supposed to be Kiko. 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.”
READ: Former TGIS star Red Sternberg passes away at 50
Apart from T.G.I.S the series and its movie spinoff, Red also starred in '90s films like Cool Bulol, Takot Ka Ba Sa Dilim?, Silaw, Sumigaw Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo, and My Pledge of Love, Laging Naroon Ka.
During the online interview, the Fil-German actor, (whose real name is Rodwick Sternberg), who graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the Adamson University in Manila, also revealed the reason he decided to quit showbiz at the height of his popularity in the late '90s.
“It was a combination ng burnout, (I had) tatlong TV shows, gumagawa akong dalawang pelikula, everyday trabaho. Ako yung tipo na I never had a driver, wala akong PA (personal assistant), lahat ako. I just felt na it was time to move on.” The former heartthrob admitted he had no regrets leaving his acting career behind.
In the same interview, Red also shared how his life changed after moving abroad and getting into the American hotel industry. Red and his family migrated to the US in 2007. Despite being based in Florida during the time of the interview, Red revealed he and his family had to move to different states like Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, and North Carolina in a span of 14 years because of the nature of his work.
“Mahirap. Ang concept ng tao madali ang buhay dito pero actually it’s kayod kalabaw. But we are doing very well. I have a stable job. I started as a front desk agent and then worked my way up to a general manager. It is a 24/7 job,” he said.
Despite having fame back home, Red says he never bragged about it to his staff. “I never talk about it. Yung mga empleyado ko, hindi nila alam,” he added.
As a devoted family man, Red also shared that he raised his brood with a mix of both Filipino and American sensibilities. “Mixed kasi strikto ako eh. Ako yung tipong makuha ka sa tingin!” he admitted.
Happy with his life in the US, Red had no regrets leaving showbiz behind to raise his family abroad and be a loving husband to his wife Sandy and a doting dad to his two daughters and son.
Prior to making the decision to migrate to the US, Red also made a bid for public office in 2004 when he ran for the position of councilor in the city of Pasay. He was endorsed by the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. while running under the same political party of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP).
Red passed away on May 27, 2025 at the age of 50.