Christopher de Leon | |
|---|---|
 De Leon in 2023 | |
| Member of theBatangas Provincial Board from the2nd district | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Hermilando Mandanas |
| Succeeded by | Raneo Abu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Strauss de León (1956-10-31)October 31, 1956 (age 68) Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | Liberal (2009–present) |
| Other political affiliations | PMP (until 2009) |
| Spouses | |
| Relations | Janine Gutierrez (adoptive granddaughter) |
| Children | 10 (incl.Lotlot,Matet and Gabriel) |
| Parent(s) | Gil de León (father) Lilia Dizon (mother) |
| Occupation |
|
| Other names | Boyet,[1] Chris |
| Alma mater | University of the East, (BFA) |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Awards | Full list |
Christopher Strauss de León[2][3] (born October 31, 1956), also known asBoyet, is a Filipino actor, filmmaker and politician. Often referred to as the "King of Philippine Drama",[4] he gained stardom for hisleading man roles in numerous film and television productions includingperiod,romantic drama andthriller. His work has receivedvarious accolades throughout his career spanning five decades, including eightFAMAS Awards, twoGawad Urian Awards, fourLuna Awards, nineStar Awards, and eightMetro Manila Film Festival Awards.
De Leon began his career as a teenager, winning theFAMAS Award for Best Actor for his screen debut inLino Brocka'sTinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974). He gained wider recognition for his portrayal of a naive peasant inEddie Romero'sGanito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976), earning him his second FAMAS for Best Actor. He won his firstGawad Urian Award for Best Actor for his portrayal inIshmael Bernal'sIkaw ay Akin (1978). De Leon continued to gain recognition and critical acclaim for his film work in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, with leading roles inHaplos (1982),Imortal (1989),Biktima, My Other Woman (both in 1990),Ipagpatawad Mo (1991),Gaano Kita Kamahal (1993),Madrasta (1996),Nasaan ang Puso (1997),Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999),Dekada '70 (2002),Mano Po III: My Love (2004) andMagkaibigan (2008).
De Leon is cited by critics as one of the best Filipino actors of all time[5] and was named one of the highest paid Filipino actors in the 1980s. He is the recipient of many honorary accolades. He was awarded with theFAMAS Circle of Excellence Award in 2005, a star on theEastwood City Walk of Fame in 2006, the Lino Brocka Lifetime Achievement Award by theGolden Screen Awards in 2008 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting at theInternational Film Festival Manhattan in 2017. He achievedGrand Slam in 1991, the second actor to win Best Actor in allmajor award-giving bodies in the country. He is also one of the elite group of actors to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at theFAMAS Awards (1993) and theMetro Manila Film Festival (2019), in the Best Actor category.
De Leon is the son ofGil de León andLilia Dizon. He is ofGerman Jewish descent from his maternal grandfather.[6] On May 11, 1999, he was given a US certificate ofcitizenship, passed to him through his maternal grandfather and his mother.[7] He studiedfine arts at theUniversity of the East in Manila.[8]
At age 17, De Leon made his acting debut inLino Brocka's 1974 filmTinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.[9] The production was a success at the box office and earned De Leon his first acting award, as Best Actor, at the22nd FAMAS Awards.[10] This helped open doors to more acting projects. The following year, he played the role of anIgorot inGerardo de León's romance dramaBanaue: Stairway to the Sky.[11] In 1976, De Leon starred in two productions. He portrayed a naiveIndio inEddie Romero's period dramaGanito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?.[12] His performance was well received by critics, and he again won Best Actor, at the24th FAMAS Awards andsecond Metro Manila Film Festival.[13] He subsequently played aJapanese-Filipino military officer inMario O'Hara's period dramaTatlong Taong Walang Diyos.[14]
The following year, De Leon appeared in two productions. He co-starred withVilma Santos andMat Ranillo III in Elwood Perez'Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig, which earned him a Best Actor nomination at the25th FAMAS Awards.[15] He then appeared inMike De Leon's coming-of-ageKung Mangarap Ka't Magising, which premiered at thethird Metro Manila Film Festival.[16] In 1978, he starred in twoIshmael Bernal films, one of which was the dramaLagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae?.[17] This earned him his fifth Best Actor nomination, at the27th FAMAS Awards. He next starred in the dramaIkaw Ay Akin.[18] His performance received critical acclaim, winning him a Best Actor trophy at theGawad Urian Awards. In 1979, he starred in one of the first Filipino films that tackles peasant oppression in the Philippines,Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan.[19]
After playing a series of dramatic roles, De Leon starred in Mike De Leon's musical comedyKakabakaba Ka Ba?. Released in 1980, the film was praised for its satirical story and good mix of music.[20] The same year, he appeared in two more production: the dramaTaga sa Panahon, which premiered at thesixth Metro Manila Film Festival,[21] andAguila.[22] His portrayal earned him a Best Actor nomination at the29th FAMAS Awards. In 1981, he starred in Elwood Perez'Pakawalan Mo Ako.[23] His performance earned him his ninth Best Actor nomination, at the30th FAMAS Awards. De Leon had three releases in 1982:Ishmael Bernal'sRelasyon,[24] for which he won Best Actor at theCatholic Mass Media Awards as well as another nomination at the FAMAS Awards;[25][26] the mystery dramaHaplos,[27] for which he received his second Best Actor win at theMetro Manila Film Festival; and finally, Lino Brocka's thriller dramaCain at Abel.[28] The film was the first Filipino entry at theSan Sebastián International Film Festival, and De Leon got his third Best Actor nomination at the Gawad Urian Awards.[29]
In 1983, De Leon appeared in Ishmael Bernal's drama filmBroken Marriage.[30] This earned him Best Actor nominations fromFAMAS and Gawad Urian.[31][32] He appeared in three productions in 1985: the drama musicalBituing Walang Ningning,[33] Mike de Leon's romantic dramaHindi Nahahati ang Langit,[34] andCarlo J. Caparas'God... Save Me! For this performance, De Leon received a Best Actor nomination at theFAMAS. He ventured into television in 1986, through the sketch comedyGoin' Bananas.[35] In 1987, he appeared in Lino Brocka'sMaging Akin Ka Lamang,[36] which earned him his fourteenth Best Actor nomination at theFAMAS Awards. The following year, he starred in the romantic dramaKapag Napagod ang Puso.[37] Writing forManila Standard, criticLav Diaz praised de Leon's complex performance, stating that the film was "another big step for Christopher de Leon [...] toward greatness in the art of acting".[38] De Leon received his first Best Actor nomination at theLuna Awards and won Best Actor at theFAMAS and Movie Magazine Awards.[39]
Also in 1988, De Leon appeared inLaurice Guillen'sMagkano ang Iyong Dangal?.[40] His portrayal was once again praised by critics, with Lav Diaz stating that his acting performance "almost reaches the point that whenever people watch a film [de Leon] is featured in, he is now the one being watched instead of the film".[41] For the final year of the decade, De Leon starred in two productions, including the third segment of the anthology film3 Mukha ng Pag-ibig and[42]Eddie Garcia'sImortal.[43] He won his third Best Actor trophy at theMetro Manila Film Festival and received nominations from FAMAS and Gawad Urian in the same category.[44][45]
De Leon starred in two Lino Brocka films in 1990, includingBiktima,[46] for which he won Best Actor at theLuna Awards andStar Awards for Movies. He had a supporting role in the political thrillerGumapang Ka sa Lusak,[47] which scored him a Supporting Actor of the Year win at the Star Awards and a nomination at the Gawad Urian in the same category.[48][49] He also appeared in the romantic dramaMy Other Woman,[50] for which he won Best Actor at the FAMAS, Gawad Urian, and Catholic Mass Media Awards.[51][52][48] This distinction made him the second Filipino actor to win Best Actor from allmajor award-giving bodies in the country for two films. The following year, he starred inLaurice Guillen's dramaIpagpatawad Mo.[53] His portrayal was praised by critics, and he won Best Actor again at FAMAS, Luna, and Star Awards.[54][55] In 1992, De Leon starred inJoel Lamangan'sHiram na Mukha, followed by the biopicGaano Kita Kamahal a year later.[56] He tied withPhillip Salvador as Movie Actor of the Year at the Star Awards, and he received Best Actor nominations at the Gawad Urian and Luna Awards.[57] In 1993, De Leon started making appearances in the weekly anthologyStar Drama Presents.[58]
In 1995, De Leon starred inChito Roño's action thrillerEskapo.[59] The following year, he appeared inRory Quintos'Sa Aking mga Kamay.[60] After making a cameo in the biblical dramaKristo,[61] De Leon starred in the family dramaMadrasta.[62] His performance received praise, winning him top honors at theYoung Critics Circle and Star Awards.[63][54] At the27th Box Office Entertainment Awards, he was hailed as the "Box Office King". The same year, he starred in the dramaNasaan ang Puso, for which he won Best Actor at the23rd Metro Manila Film Festival.[64] In 1998, he played a priest in the action dramaAma Namin. The following year, he starred in the fantasy dramaWansapanataym: The Movie.[65] De Leon closed the decade with an acclaimed performance inJoel Lamangan'sBulaklak ng Maynila. His portrayal earned him Best Actor wins at Luna and the Metro Manila Film Festival, as well as nominations from Gawad Urian and the Young Critics Circle.[66]
Between 2000 and 2010, De Leon only appeared in ten films and ventured further into television. In 2000, he hosted the Filipino version of the game showWho Wants to Be a Millionaire?[67] Veronique del Rosario-Corpus, Viva TV president, revealed that he underwent training and workshops to prepare for his first hosting stint.[68] He later received a nomination for Best Game Show Host at thePMPC Star Awards for Television. The following year, De Leon starred with an ensemble cast inLaurice Guillen'sAmerican Adobo, which premiered at theSan Diego Asian Film Festival. In 2002, he starred in the romantic drama seriesAng Iibigin ay Ikaw as well as its sequel,Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw Pa Rin (2003).[69] The same year, he appeared in the historical dramaDekada '70, under the direction of Chito Roño.[70] The film premiered at the28th Metro Manila Film Festival. His performance earned him Best Actor nominations from Gawad Urian and Luna. In 2003, De Leon appeared as one of the members of the council in the second season ofStarStruck.[71] He next played in the second installment ofMano Po 2: My Home and reprised his role inMano Po III: My Love, in 2004.[72][73] He also appeared in the drama seriesHanggang Kailan.[74] In 2005, he had a role in the third installment ofNow and Forever,Agos.[75] The same year, he portrayed an antagonistic role in the fantasy actionDarna.[76]
In 2006, De Leon played the role of a banking magnate in the romantic family dramaMaging Sino Ka Man and later reprised his role in the sequel,Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik, which aired in 2007.[77] He next starred with an ensemble cast inJoel Lamangan'sBlue Moon.[78] De Leon then appeared in the pilot episode of the drama seriesPangarap na Bituin,[79] followed by a supporting role inKahit Isang Saglit (2008).[80][81] De Leon also starred oppositeAngel Aquino inEddie Romero's final directorial effort,Faces of Love (2007).[82] In 2009, he had supporting roles in the drama seriesLovers in Paris andSana Ngayong Pasko. Later that year, De Leon appeared in the filmMano Po 6: A Mother's Love, which premiered at the35th Metro Manila Film Festival.[83]
In 2010, De Leon starred with an ensemble cast in Laurice Guillen'sSa 'yo Lamang.[84] The film earned him a Best Actor nomination at the29th Luna Awards. Also in 2010, he played the character of a black sorcerer in the fantasy dramaIlumina.[85] He next appeared in the anthologiesSRO Cinemaserye andMaalaala Mo Kaya, as well as making guest appearances in the dramasJillian: Namamasko Po andPanday Kids.[86][87] In 2011, De Leon starred in the political dramaSa Ngalan ng Ina and made guest appearances in the dramas100 Days to Heaven andBantatay.[88][89] He also played a supporting role in the fantasy action seriesCaptain Barbell.[90][91] The same year, he played a special role in the romantic comedyCatch Me, I'm in Love.[92] In 2012, De Leon portrayedAntonio Luna in the biographical filmEl Presidente. His performance received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the38th Metro Manila Film Festival.[citation needed] Also in 2012, he played supporting roles in the dramasDahil sa Pag-ibig,Pahiram ng Sandali,Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo, andLuna Blanca. In 2013, he produced the playLorenzo, a musical on the life ofLorenzo Ruiz, with music byRyan Cayabyab and book and lyrics by Juan Ekis andPaul Dumol. The play's maiden run was held in September 2013 atDLS-CSB's SDA Theater.[93]
De Leon had more supporting roles in soap operas in the succeeding years. He was cast in main roles in several television series, such asMuling Buksan ang Puso (2013),[94]The Legal Wife (2014),[95]Ikaw Lamang (2014),[96] andBeautiful Strangers (2015),[97] earning Best Drama Supporting Actor nominations at the Star Awards for TV for the latter three.[citation needed] In that span, De Leon appeared in two films, including the action featureSa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at mga Anak (2014)[98] and the supernatural horrorTragic Theater (2015).[99] In 2016, he made guest appearances inAng Probinsyano andAlyas Robin Hood[100] as well as landing supporting roles inLittle Nanay andAng Panday.[101] The same year, he starred as an ex-military officer-turned-kidnapper in the suspense thrillerDukot.[102] Supporting roles came in the following years, withKambal, Karibal (2017) andSana Dalawa ang Puso (2018).[103] In that span, he also made film appearances in Carlo J. Caparas'Kamandag ng Droga (2017),[104][105]Raya Martin'sSmaller and Smaller Circles (2017), and Ruel Bayani'sKasal (2018).[106][107]
In 2020, De Leon played a supporting role in the drama seriesLove Thy Woman.[108][109] He next appeared in an episode of the anthology seriesI Can See You, the following year. He also made a special appearance in the drama seriesHuwag Kang Mangamba.[110] In 2021, De Leon played a supporting role inErik Matti's crime thrillerOn the Job: The Missing 8.[111] In 2022, he played a supporting role in the action drama seriesLolong. Prior to its premiere, De Leon revealed in an interview that he performed all of his stunts.[112] In 2023, De Leon reprised his role in the psychological thrillerCattleya Killer, the sequel to the 1996 filmSa Aking mga Kamay.[113]
Also in 2023, De Leon was cast as the main antagonist in the action drama seriesBatang Quiapo, based on the1986 action-comedy film of the same name.[114] The same year, he reunited withVilma Santos for their 25th film together,When I Met You in Tokyo, which premiered at the Metro Manila Film Festival.[115]
In 2007, De Leon decided to run as vice governor of the province ofBatangas. He was supposed to be the running mate of incumbent vice governor Ricky Recto but instead ran with former Batangas police director Nestor Sanares;[116] he lost toMark Leviste. He ran once more in 2010, this time for board member of the Second District of Batangas, which he won. Garnering the highest number of votes among those elected, he became Senior Board Member of Batangas.[117] In 2013, he was a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District of the Province of Batangas but lost to Rep. Mandanas' chief of staff,Raneo Abu.[118]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nacionalista | Raneo Abu | 94,531 | 39.86 | |||
| UNA | Danilo Berberabe | 93,426 | 39.39 | |||
| Liberal | Christopher De Leon | 34,218 | 14.43 | |||
| Margin of victory | 1,105 | 0.47% | ||||
| Invalid or blank votes | 15,003 | 6.33 | ||||
| Total votes | 237,178 | 100.00 | ||||
| Nacionalistagain fromLiberal | ||||||
De Leon has been named the most successful Filipino drama actor for three decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s).[119] He was one of the highest-paid film actors in the Philippines during the 1980s, with a salary reaching over ₱300,000 per film.[120] In a 2001 interview with journalist Remy Umerez,Cesar Montano described De Leon as the most professional actor he had ever worked with, saying: "He comes to the set fully prepared and you better watch out if you don't know your lines well. He can memorize a revised script in the wink of an eye." Montano also praised De Leon's acting style, saying: "He has a very sharp memory and his approach to acting is infectious...Difficult scenes become easy to stage with seasoned actors like Boyet."[121]
De Leon has starred in numerous critically acclaimed films that hold significance withinPhilippine cinema. In 2006, six renowned film critics through thePhilippine Daily Inquirer listedGumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990) andDekada '70 (2002) among the 21 best Filipino films in the last 21 years.[122] In 2007, thePhilippine Entertainment Portal named three films,Aguila (1979),Dekada '70 (2002), andGanito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976) on their list of top ten Philippine historical films of all time.[123] In 2021,Far Out Magazine namedTatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976) one of the ten essential films from the Philippines.[124] In 2023, critics from thePhilippine Entertainment Portal named De Leon among the best actors of the year for his role inWhen I Met You in Tokyo.[66]
De Leon's first marriage was to actressNora Aunor. The couple, who eventually separated,[125] produced five children, includingMatet andLotlot.[126] De Leon's second marriage is to actressSandy Andolong. The couple has five children, including Gabriel.[3]
De Leon is a practicingRoman Catholic.[127]
On March 17, 2020, during theCOVID-19 pandemic, de Leon announced that he had been diagnosed withthe virus.[128] He claimed to be asymptomatic and was not in contact with any COVID-19 carriers.[129] He recovered from the disease and was released from the hospital on March 24.[130]
Among numerous accolades for his acting work, De Leon has won eightFAMAS Awards, twoGawad Urians, fourLunas, nineStar Awards, and eightMetro Manila Awards.[131] In 1991, he became the second Filipino actor to achieve "Grand Slam", for his performances inBiktima (1990) andMy Other Woman (1990), winning Best Actor from all major award-giving bodies in the country. De Leon has been inducted into the hall of fame of two major Philippine award-giving bodies: FAMAS (1993) and the Metro Manila Film Festival (2019), in the Best Actor category.[132][133] For his contribution toPhilippine cinema, De Leon is also a recipient of several honorary accolades. In 2008, he was presented with the Lino Brocka Lifetime Achievement Award at theGolden Screen Awards.[134] In 2011, he was awarded the Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award by the PMPC Star Awards for Movies.[135] In 2017, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting at theInternational Film Festival Manhattan.[136] The same year, he was named one of the "People of the Year" byPeople Asia magazine.[137]
With more than 200 acting credits to his name, some of De Leon's most critically and commercially successful films, according to the review aggregator siteRotten Tomatoes includeTinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974),Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976),Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976),Ikaw Ay Akin (1978),Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (1980),Relasyon (1982),Kapag Napagod ang Puso (1988),My Other Woman (1990),Biktima (1990),Madrasta (1996),Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999),Dekada '70 (2002),Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka (2003),Magkaibigan (2008), andWhen Love Begins (2008). His television work includes the seriesAng Iibigin ay Ikaw (2002),Hanggang Kailan (2004),Maging Sino Ka Man (2006),Kahit Isang Saglit (2008),The Legal Wife (2014),Ikaw Lamang (2014),Beautiful Strangers (2015),Lolong (2022), andBatang Quiapo (2023–present).
Walang pasubaling isa na namang malaking hakbang ni Christopher de Leon ang pelikulang ito tungo sa kadakilaan sa sining ng pag-arte...
Umaabot na halos sa puntong kapag nanuod ang tao ng isang pelikulang kinatatampukan niya, siya na ang pinanunood at hindi ang pelikula.
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