- He had a son, Mark Anthony Fernandez, with a former partner, Alma Moreno. He also had two sons with his wife, Lorna: Raphael and Renz Fernandez.
- Brother of Merle Fernandez.
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Commerce (University of Santo Tomas, Manila).
- The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) bestowed the 2008 Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award to him at the 24th Star Awards for Movies. He was also the recipient of the Film Academy of the Philippines FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2001, he ran for Quezon City under Puwersa ng Masa of former President Joseph Estrada but lost to then House Speaker Sonny Belmonte Jr.
- Named after Rudolph Valentino. His mother Pilar was very fond of Rudolf when she was pregnant. She usually wanted to see the face of the Hollywood actor; hence she hung Rudolf's photo in his room.
- Rejected the lead role in Bayan Ko (1984), which later became one of the most celebrated Filipino films of all time. He turned down the movie after director Lino Brocka refused to grant his demands. Fernandez wanted some character changes to suit his image. However, Brocka thought such changes would ruin the entire sense and vision of the film. So Brocka opted for Phillip Salvador.
- Became the president of the Kapisanan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Telebisyon in the early 1990s. His term followed that of Paquito Diaz.
- Then movie reporter and talent scout Deo Fajardo Jr. spotted the potentials in Rudy as an actor during his teen years and helped him push his career. It was also Deo who pushed to stardom Rudy's nephew, Robin Padilla in Anak ni Baby Ama (1990), a sequel of Bitayin si... Baby Ama! (1976) which launched Rudy's career.
- It was in 1970 that the young Rudy decided to really plunge into showbiz while a Commerce student at the University of Sto. Tomas. Due to his hectic schedules that he missed a lot of his classes, he quit schooling.
- Eldest son of film director and medical practitioner Dr. Gregorio Fernandez and Pilar Padilla of the famous show biz Padilla clan.
- In his teens, he witnessed the death of his mother Pilar Padilla who committed suicide by shooting herself. The incident traumatized the young Rudy.
- He and Alma Moreno became reel and real lovers during and after filming Bitayin si... Baby Ama! (1976). Consequently, the couple lived together and had one child, Mark Anthony Fernandez.
- His rise to stardom took off when he was launched in Bitayin si... Baby Ama! (1976).
- He battled periampullary cancer for two years, even seeking treatment abroad including hospitals in the United States and Japan.
- Died 6:15 a.m. of June 7, 2008, a day after he decided to be discharged from Cardinal Santos Medical Center where he was confined for almost a month.
- A multi-awarded Filipino actor and producer. He came to prominence as an action star in the Philippine cinema during the 1980s up to the early 1990s.
- Born at 8:36 PM on March 3, 1952 at Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, Manila.
- Fernandez started his active film career while a student at the University of Santo Tomas, when he was signed to a contract by Sampaguita Pictures in 1970.
- He made his film debut at the age of three, appearing in Luksang tagumpay (1956) (1956), which was directed by his father.
- First featured by Sampaguita Pictures in For Your Mama (1970), he was paired with Connie Angeles in Sweet Matutina (1970).
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