Gerald Anderson

Gerald Randolph Opsima Anderson Jr. was born on March 7, 1989, in Subic, Zambales, Philippines. His father is an American instructor in the Subic Naval Base who travels back and forth between the United States and Zambales while his mother is a Filipino businesswoman from General Santos, Philippines. He also has a younger brother (Kenneth Anderson) and two older sisters from his mother's first marriage. When he was three years old, he and his family moved from General Santos to San Antonio, Texas, and then to Springfield, Missouri, when he was six. Finally, at 14 years of age, his family moved back to General Santos.^[1]

Anderson demonstrates oral fluency in English, Tagalog, and Cebuano. He finished his elementary studies in San Antonio, Texas, and completed high school in General Santos, Philippines.^{[citation needed]}

Anderson was discovered by Joross Gamboa when Gamboa performed in Anderson's hometown. Gamboa introduced him to his manager, Jhun Reyes, who brought him to ABS-CBN for the first season of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition. Anderson and the other housemates entered the Big Brother house on April 23, 2006. After 42 days, he was named Teen Third Big Placer on the show.^{[citation needed]}

Six months later, Anderson and screen partner/then-girlfriend, actress Kim Chiu, appeared together on several ABS-CBN shows (including Love Spell and Aalog-Alog) and in the film First Day High. In 2007 Anderson and Chiu starred in their first primetime TV series, Sana Maulit Muli; in September of that year they appeared in their first feature film, I've Fallen For You, produced by Star Cinema. That year, he was the Best New Male TV Personality (for Sana Maulit Muli) at the 21st PMPC Star Awards and the 38th Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Box Office Awards (with Chiu). In May 2008 Anderson and Chiu were cast in My Girl, an adaptation of the South Korean TV series.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, Anderson starred in the primetime drama series Tayong Dalawa, winning the Best Drama Actor award at the NSUU TV Awards; Anderson and Chiu were the Most Popular Loveteam for the third consecutive year at the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Box Office Awards. In August of that year, he appeared in Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla:Tiagong Akyat.^{[citation needed]}

The following year, Anderson started with Kim Chiu in the film Paano Na Kaya. He was cast in the ABS-CBN primetime drama Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo, and appeared in Your Song Presents: Isla with his Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited former housemates. Anderson and Chiu teamed up again in October 2010 for the film Till My Heartaches End. That month, it was reported that the couple had ended their romantic relationship.^{[citation needed]}

By the end of December 2010, Anderson announced his departure from Bench following his decision not to renew his contract due to busy commitments.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011 Anderson first worked with Sarah Geronimo in a film collaboration with Star Cinema and Viva Films entitled Catch Me, I'm in Love (shown on March 23, 2011), and in October he returned in the primetime series Budoy (his first primetime television series without Chiu). He starred with Jessy Mendiola; Chiu had an adjacent time slot with her drama, My Binondo Girl with Xian Lim. In November 2011 Anderson made another film with Geronimo, Won't Last A Day Without You. He reunited in a movie with Chiu titled 24/7 in Love, Star Magic's ensemble film in view of the agency's 20th anniversary.^[11] He is starring as Miguel Dizon in the 2013 teleserye, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin alongside Dawn Zulueta and Kapamilya Leading Lady The Jewel of Drama Cristine Reyes.^{[citation needed]}

Chalk Magazine's Top 50 Hottest Guys (2006–2008) and Number One Hokage (2013); Yes! Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful Stars (2007–2015, 2017), The Next Big Star (2011), and Top 20 Endorsers (2011); Candy Magazine's Top 3 Hottest Celebrity Cutie (2007) and Swoon-Worthiest Crushes (2008); Meg Magazine's Annual 50 Hottest Guys (2007, 2009–2010); Star Studio Magazine's Number #1 (2008), Sexiest Stars (2011), and Top 25 Most Intriguing and Inspiring People (2012); Cosmo Men Magazine's Top 1 Cosmo Celebrity Centerfold (2009); Inside Showbiz's Top 40 Hottest Men (2012); and Metro Magazine's Hottest Leading Men (2013)

In May 2018, Anderson joined the Marikina Shoemasters in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.^[12][13][14] He also played for the team at the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3, a three-on-three basketball league, debuting in the third tour of the 2019 President's Cup helping the team win their first game in the conference. They won over the 1Bataan Risers but was not able to clinch a win for the remaining of the third tour.^[15] He later joined Imus Bandera for the following season. After suiting up for Imus, Anderson joined the GenSan Warriors, a team based in General Santos which is also his hometown.^[16][17]

In 2016, Anderson joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) K9 Squadron Unit.^[18] In his interview with Bernadette Sembrano, he revealed that it was his parents who inspired him to join the Philippine Coast Guard with his father Gerald Anderson Sr., a retired U.S. Navy Officer and his mother's selfless acts of service.^[19] He was promoted Commodore in 2021. In August 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard's Ronnie Gil Gavan, Vice Admiral Jorge Lim and Armando Balilo bestowed the Search and Rescue medal upon Auxiliary Commander Anderson for his heroic rescue efforts during Typhoon Gaemi at Barangay Santo Domingo in Quezon City. He also financially helped the Zambales Aeta people, the Marawi families, and the Thitu Island children with PCGA Ensign Julia Barretto.^[20] In November, he was promoted officer of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary with the rank of auxiliary captain and took his oath before 30th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, Ronnie Gil Gavan.^[21]

Anderson previously dated former onscreen partner and fellow housemate in Pinoy Big Brother, Kim Chiu, ending their relationship in 2010. In 2014, he admitted to having a relationship with actress Maja Salvador some time earlier than 2014, but broke up in 2015.^[22]

In 2016, Anderson rekindled his relationship with actress and How to Be Yours co-star Bea Alonzo, having previously dated in 2010. The couple separated in 2019.^[23]

In March 2021, during an interview with Boy Abunda, Anderson confirmed his relationship with Julia Barretto.^[24] They ended their relationship in 2025.^[25]

Anderson is fond of shoes and sneakers. He has massive collection of Nike Air Force 1s and Air Jordans in his walk-in closet.^[26] His room is also filled with Iron Man action figure collectibles.^[27] Anderson also has a collection of cars and vehicles.^[28]