Christopher de Leon

Christopher Strauss de León (born October 31, 1956) is a Filipino film actor and politician. De Leon appeared on the gag show Going Bananas and has appeared in over 120 films since the early 1970s.

On July 1, 2010, he was sworn into office as the board member of the 2nd district of Batangas.

Education

He studied Fine Arts at the University of the East in Manila.

Acting career

In the 1980s to 1990s, he was part of the all male show Goin' Bananas with veteran actors Jay Ilagan and Johnny Delgado and Edgar Mortiz.

In 2000, he hosted the first Philippine version of the quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? until 2002.

In 2003–2004, he became part of GMA-7 primetime soap/television series ensemble Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw which became successful and continued with Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin. with fellow actors Alice Dixson and Lani Mercado who he both starred in a 1992 film entitled My Other Woman and with Richard Gomez.

In 2005, he became part of the very successful television franchise of Mars Ravelo's Darna as Dr. Zombie.

In 2006, he became part of the very successful primetime soap opera Maging Sino Ka Man with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo with Sam Milby and Anne Curtis the series also continued after 6 months later with Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik the series ended successfully in March 28, 2008 after airing for 3 years.

In 2007, he appeared in the pilot episode of the primetime series, Pangarap na Bituin.

In 2008, he was part of the ABS-CBN and double vision primetime series Kahit Isang Saglit with Jericho Rosales, Carmen Soo, Cristine Reyes, Isabel Rivas and Albert Martinez.

In 2009, he returned to GMA Network for 2 shows Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition and its Christmas special Sana Ngayong Pasko. He was also part of Lovers in Paris.

In 2010, he was part of primetime fantasy television series Panday Kids and Ilumina.

In 2011, he was cast on afternoon shows such as Bantatay and Captain Barbell on its comeback. He was also a guest on the long-running primetime television series of the year 100 Days to Heaven.

In the 4th quarter of 2011, he was part of the TV5 mini-TV series and political primetime drama Sa Ngalan ng Ina with estranged wife and protagonist in the series Award Winning Actress Nora Aunor.

In 2012, he was part of ABS-CBN's initial drama offering and Primetime TV Series Dahil Sa Pag-Ibig, with Jericho Rosales and Piolo Pascual.

In 2013, he had a special participation in Muling Buksan Ang Puso as Anton "El Patron" Silvestre, he played the father of Leonel Beltran played by young actor Enchong Dee.

In 2014, de Leon was 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 starring Kim Chiu and Coco Martin.

Personal life

He is the son of Gil de León and Lilia Dizon.

He is of German Jewish descent from his maternal grandfather.^[1] On May 11, 1999, he was given a US Certificate of Citizenship. The U.S. Certificate of Citizenship says that the holder was a U.S. Citizen at birth. His citizenship was passed through his maternal grandfather and his mother.^[2]

He is also the husband of actress Sandy Andolong.

Acting and influences

He has won the FAMAS Best Actor award five times.^[3] He appeared in as lead actor in Lino Brocka's Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang and Eddie Romero's Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? (he won the FAMAS Best Actor awards for both films). He is also one of the only leading man to work with rich successful Award Winning Actress' Mega Star Sharon Cuneta from 1985-2009, for three different studio outfits (Viva Films, Star Cinema and Regal Entertainment) and ex-wife Nora Aunor in 1977-1988 who even guest starred on his sitcom Goin Bananas and the longest loveteam with Star for All Seasons Actress turned Mayor Vilma Santos who has starred in more than 24 Films since in the 70s all Box-Office they even took the big screen with their captivating performances in 1992' The Dolzura Cortez Story an OctoArts Film Produced and Directed by Laurice Guillen in 1997 they played Ex Lovers in Ike Jarlego Jrs "Hanggang Ngayon Ika'y Minamahal" as their comeback to the bigscreen and 2004' Mano Po 4.

De Leon' has also influenced today's biggest actors such as co workers such as Top Leading Man John Lloyd Cruz, Coco Martin, Dingdong Dantes, Aga Muhlach, and Richard Gomez.

Politics

2007 elections

In 2007, he decided to run as Vice Governor of Batangas. This claims that if his former on screen partner, Vilma Santos won the governorship, then he might win as Vice Governor. He became the running mate of former police officer Nestor Sanares. However, he lost to Mark Leviste.

2010 elections

He once again run, but 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, Rannie Abu.

Filmography

Television Series

Movies

Theater

Christopher de Leon has recently started producing theater plays through Green Wings Entertainment. Green Wings' first project is LORENZO, a musical on the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, with music by Ryan Cayabyab, book and lyric by Juan Ekis and Paul Dumol with the collaboration of Joem Antonio, and direction by Nonon Padilla. Lorenz Martinez plays Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint. LORENZO's maiden run was held in September 2013 at DLS-CSB's SDA Theater.^[5]

Albums

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

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Christopher De Leon on IMDb
• Christopher de Leon to receive Gawad Lino Brocka Award
• LORENZO, a musical on St. Lorenzo Ruiz