Christopher de Leon
Christopher Strauss de León (born October 31, 1956) is a Filipino actor and politician. Sometimes called the "King of Philippine Drama", he has appeared in over 120 films since the early 1970s. De Leon made his debut in the entertainment industry as one of the main characters in the all-male comic spoof Goin' Bananas, in the 1980s. He later switched from comedy to drama, thanks to his appearances on Star Drama Presents. He is regarded as one of the Filipino actors with the most extensive filmographies. De Leon has won seven FAMAS Awards, including five Best Actor wins. He has received two Gawad Urian Awards, four FAP Awards, and an MMFF Hall of Fame plaque. He received the Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th PMPC Star Awards. On June 30, 2010, he was sworn into office as a board member of the second district of Batangas. Early life and education
De Leon is the son of Gil de León and Lilia Dizon. He is of German Jewish descent from his maternal grandfather. On May 11, 1999, he was given a US certificate of
citizenship, passed to him through his maternal grandfather and his mother. He studied fine arts at the University of the East in Manila. Acting career
In the 1980s to 1990s, de Leon was part of the cast of the all-male show Goin' Bananas, with veteran actors Jay Ilagan, Johnny Delgado, and Edgar Mortiz. In 2000, he hosted the first Philippine version of the quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (also known as WW2BAM) on IBC, until 2002. In 2003–2004, he became part of the GMA-7 television series Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw as well as its successor, Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw Pa Rin, with fellow actors Alice Dixson and Lani Mercado. In 2005, he became part of the television franchise of Mars Ravelo's Darna, as Dr. Zombie. In 2006, de Leon joined the soap opera Maging Sino Ka Man, with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, among others. The series  continued six months later with Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik, ending on March 28, 2008. In 2007, he appeared in the pilot episode of the series Pangarap na Bituin. In 2008, de Leon was part of the ABS-CBN series Kahit Isang Saglit, with Jericho Rosales, Carmen Soo, Cristine Reyes, Isabel Rivas, and Albert Martinez. In 2009, he returned to GMA Network for Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition and its Christmas special, Sana Ngayong Pasko. He was also part of Lovers in Paris. In 2010, he was among the cast of the fantasy television series Panday Kids and Ilumina. In 2011, de Leon was cast on the afternoon shows Bantatay and Captain Barbell. He was also a guest on the long-running series 100 Days to Heaven. In the fourth quarter of 2011, he was part of the TV5 political drama miniseries Sa Ngalan ng Ina, together with his estranged wife, Nora Aunor. In 2012, he was part of ABS-CBN's Dahil sa Pag-ibig, with Jericho Rosales and Piolo Pascual. In 2013, de Leon participated in Muling Buksan Ang Puso as Anton "El Patron" Silvestre, playing the father of Leonel Beltran, portrayed by Enchong Dee. In 2014, he starred in The Legal Wife with Angel Locsin and Jericho Rosales, and later played as the older version of Jake Cuenca's character in the second season of Ikaw Lamang. In 2015, he starred in Beautiful Strangers as Ronaldo Castillo, the main antagonist. In 2023, de Leon starred in Batang Quiapo, in the role of Ramon Montenegro, one of the main antagonists. Theater
In 2013, De Leon produced the play LORENZO, a musical on the life of Lorenzo Ruiz, with music by Ryan Cayabyab, book and lyrics by Juan Ekis and Paul Dumol, with the collaboration of Joem Antonio, and direction by Nonon Padilla. Lorenz Martinez plays Ruiz, the first Filipino saint. LORENZO's maiden run was held in September 2013 at DLS-CSB's SDA Theater. Political career

2007 elections
In 2007, de Leon decided to run as Vice Governor of Batangas. He was supposed to be the running mate of incumbent Vice Governor Ricky Recto but was instead running mate to former Batangas police director Nestor Sanares. He lost to Mark Leviste. 2010 elections
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. 2013 elections
De Leon was a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District of the Province of Batangas but lost the race to Rep. Mandanas' Chief of Staff, Raneo Abu. Personal life
De Leon's first marriage was to actress Nora Aunor. The couple, who eventually separated, produced five children, including Matet and Lotlot. De Leon's second marriage is to actress Sandy Andolong. The couple has five children, including Gabriel. De Leon is a practicing Roman Catholic. On March 17, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, de Leon announced that he had been diagnosed with the virus. He claimed to be asymptomatic and was not in contact with any COVID-19 carriers. He recovered from the disease and was released from the hospital on March 24. Selected filmography

Film

Television

Music albums

 Christopher De Leon (1977)
 Sisikat Na Naman? (1978)
 In Love with Christopher de Leon (1979)
 Ikaw Lamang (1981)
 Umaga Na Naman (1982)
 Nasaan ang Pangako (1983)
 Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising (1984)
 Bituing Walang Ningning (1985)
 Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon! (1987)
 Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap (1988)
 Umaga Na Naman: The Best of Christopher de Leon (1989)
 Ipagpatawad Mo: The Soundtrack (1991)
 8:00 AM Na Naman (1992)
 Boyet sings Christopher Cross (1994)
 Greatest Hits: Live (1996)
 15 Classic Platinum Hits (1998)
 Original Gold (2000)
 Premium Gold Collection (2001)
 The Platinum Collection (2003)
 Mga Awit Pelikula (2006)

Awards and nominations

References

External links
 

1956 births
Living people
20th-century Filipino male actors
21st-century Filipino male actors
ABS-CBN personalities
Christopher
Filipino actor-politicians
Filipino male television actors
Filipino people of American descent
Filipino people of American-Jewish descent
Filipino people of German-Jewish descent
Filipino Roman Catholics
Filipino television directors
GMA Network personalities
Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation personalities
Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians
Male actors from Manila
Members of the Batangas Provincial Board
University of the East alumni
Viva Artists Agency