Ramon Zamora
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| Ramon Zamora | |
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| Born | Ramon Artiaga Zamora June 27, 1935 San Juan, Rizal, Philippines |
| Died | August 26, 2007 (aged 72) Antipolo City, Philippines |
| Occupation | Filipino comedian and action film actor |
| Years active | 1953 - 2007 |
Ramon Zamora (June 27, 1935 — August 26, 2007) was a Filipino film actor best known for his leading roles in local martial arts films and action movies of the 1970s. He was popularly dubbed as the "Bruce Lee of the Philippines".[1] [2]
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[edit] Early career
Zamora was born in San Juan, Rizal.[3] He began his entertainment career in 1953 as a stuntman and dancer for LVN Pictures.[2] He persevered in the bodabil circuit, performing regularly at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House.[4][3] He also was a member of the Festival Dancers, a dance troupe which performed international tours regularly.[3]
From his stage performances, he was contracted in 1969 to star as a mainstay of the ABS-CBN gag show Super Laff-In. Zamora's most popular stock character in the show was a military-clad figure that bore an unmistakable physical resemblance to Adolf Hitler, who spoke in bastardized German and spouted catchphrases such as "Isprakenheit". [2] The role won him the "Best Actor Citizen's Award for Television".[2][3]
[edit] Film star
When Super Laff-In's network ABS-CBN was closed upon the declaration of martial law in 1972, Zamora shifted gears and focused on a film career. He starred as the durable komiks character Pedro Penduko in the 1973 Celso Ad Castillo fantasy film Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko. The resulting success of the film boosted Zamora's popularity, and he soon became one of the top box-office draws in Philippine cinema in the 1970s.
Zamora was especially popular for a string of locally-produced martial arts films that emerged following the international success of Bruce Lee.[3] Patterning his film persona around a Bruce Lee-type with a comedic twist[4], Zamora starred in such films as Shadow of the Dragon (1973), Cobra at Lawin (1973), Game of Death (1974), Return of the Dragon (1977), and Bruce Liit (1978).
[edit] Later years
By the 1980s, Zamora's career as a leading man petered out, and he returned to guest-starring in television programs, often in his "Hitler" guise. He also portrayed character roles in films, including one in the 1994 update of the Pedro Penduko saga now starring Janno Gibbs, Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko. At the time of his death from a heart attack in his Antipolo City home, Zamora had completed one last film that had yet to be released, Ataul for Rent.[4]
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Movies
- Ataul: For Rent (2007) .... Chairman Tando
- M.O.N.A.Y (Misteyks obda neyson adres Yata) ni Mr. Shooli (2007)
- Lisensyadong kamao (2005) .... Pedring
- Pelukang itim: Agimat ko ito for victory again (2005)
- Pistolero (2002)
- Eva, lason kay Adan (2002)
- Sgt. Isaias Marcos... Bawat hakbang panganib (2000)
- Isang lahi, isang dugo sa lupang pangako (2000) .... Arula
- Basta Tricycle Driver... Sweet Lover (2000)
- Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return of the Comeback (2000) .... Maguayan
- Aguinaldo (1993)
- Dudurugin Kita Ng Bala Ko (1991)
- Hindi Palulupig (1990)
- Eh kasi bata (1989) .... Frank Chavit
- My Darling Domestic (The Greytest Iskeyp) (1989)
- Me and Ninja Liit (1988) .... Papang Sang
- Damong makamandag (1988)
- Lorenzo Ruiz the Saint (1988)
- Vengeance Squad (1987) .... Special Participation
- The Rookies and the Mighty Kids (1987)
- Death Raiders (1984)
- Snake Dragon Connection (1980)
- Ahas sa Pugad Lawin (1979)
- Bruce liit (1978)
- Ang Hari at ang Alas (1978)
- Dragon, Lizard, Boxer (1977)
- The Interceptors (1977)
- Peter Pandesal (1977) .... Pete
- They Call Him Chop-suey (1975) .... Chop-suey
- Return of the Dragon (1974/I)
- Ang Mahiwagang daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (1973) .... Pedro Penduko
- Dobol trobol (1973)
[edit] Television
- Maging Sino Ka Man (2006) .... Simon
- Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko (2006) .... Father Ben
[edit] Notes
- ^ Meruenas, Mark (2007-08-27). Ramon Zamora, Pinoy 'Bruce Lee,' dies at 72. GMANews.TV. Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
- ^ a b c d Cruz, Marinel (2007-08-29). RP’s Bruce Lee was ‘very tired’. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
- ^ a b c d e Rosalinda Galang (1994). "Philippine Film". CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (1st) VIII. Ed. Nicanor Tiongson. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. pp.338-339. ISBN 971-8546-31-6. Retrieved on January 2008.
- ^ a b c Francisco, Butch (2007-08). So long, Isprakenhayt!. Starbytes. ABS-CBN Interactive. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
[edit] Reference
- Rosalinda Galang (1994). "Philippine Film". CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (1st) VIII. Ed. Nicanor Tiongson. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. pp.338-339. ISBN 971-8546-31-6. Retrieved on January 2008.
[edit] External links
- Ramon Zamora - Find A Grave Tribute. Find A Grave (2007-8-29). Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
- Ramon Zamora at the Internet Movie Database
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