CEBU, Philippines - Greg Hudgens, father of “High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens, died on Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 65.
The 27-year-old Fil-Am actress revealed the news on Twitter just hours before “Grease: Live!” was set to air on Fox at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
“I am so sad to say that last night my daddy, Greg passed away from stage 4 cancer,” she wrote, which was retweeted by her younger sister, Stella. “Thank you to everyone who kept him in your prayers.”
Despite the tragedy, Vanessa still plans to take part in the musical, saying she will dedicate her highly-anticipated performance as Rizzo to her late dad.
“Tonight, I do the show in his honor,” she continued.
Vanessa posted a picture with her father to Instagram last July, asking friends and fans to “pray for his healing.”
Then in August, she revealed that Greg was sick with cancer while accepting an award for Breakthrough Performer at the Industry Dance Awards in Los Angeles. The news came less than one year after her boyfriend, “Arrow” star Austin Butler, lost his mother to cancer in September 2014.
“Let me tell you, I hate cancer. I hate cancer with every cell of my being,” Vanessa shared onstage. “This award, it means a lot to me but I dedicate it to my boyfriend’s mom, Lori, my dad, and to all the families out there who are struggling with this, because it really takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this.”
In addition to his daughters, Vanessa and Stella, Greg is also survived by his Filipina wife, Gina Hudgens. (FREEMAN)