Christopher de Leon is a Filipino actor and filmmaker who has had an extensive career in film, television and stage. He made his screen debut in Lino Brocka's Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974), won his first acting award for Best Actor at the FAMAS, and has since appeared in 160 motion pictures. He received wider recognition for his roles in the historical period films Banaue: Stairway to the Sky (1975), Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), and Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976), winning his second Best Actor at the FAMAS for the latter. In 1978, De Leon played a cheating husband in Ishmael Bernal's Ikaw ay Akin with Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, earning him his first Gawad Urian for Best Actor.
De Leon established himself as a leading actor in the following years. In 1982, he starred in the mystery drama Haplos, winning Best Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival. He received Best Actor nominations at the FAMAS for his performances in Relasyon (1982), Broken Marriage (1983), God... Save Me! (1985), and Maging Akin Ka Lamang (1987), winning one for his portrayal of an abusive husband in the romantic drama Kapag Napagod ang Puso (1988). De Leon won Best Actor at the Luna Awards for two consecutive years for his starring roles in the thriller Biktima (1990) and Ipagpatawad Mo (1991). His performances in Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990) and Gaano Kita Kamahal (1993) also earned him Movie Actor of the Year wins at the Star Awards for Movies. In 1996, De Leon starred in the family drama Madrasta opposite Sharon Cuneta. It became Star Cinema's highest grossing film at that point, earning over ₱70 million during its first 10-day run at the box office. In 1999, he played a crime syndicate leader in the thriller drama Bulaklak ng Maynila, winning Best Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival and Luna Awards.
De Leon also ventured hosting and presented the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (2000). In 2003, De Leon starred in the romantic comedy Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka opposite Regine Velasquez. The film competed at the Manila Tagalog Film Festival and became the highest-grossing film among six other entries at the film festival. Further critical acclaim followed with his starring roles in Mano Po III: My Love (2004) and Magkaibigan (2008), winning Best Actor trophies at the Metro Manila Film Festival. In 2011, he played a senior figure in the family drama Sa 'Yo Lamang. De Leon also played notable supporting roles in When Love Begins (2011), El Presidente (2012), Across the Crescent Moon (2017) and On the Job 2: The Missing 8 (2023).
On stage, De Leon has been involved in four musical productions. He began performing in the early 1970s, portraying Jesus in the rock musical Godspell. It was followed by starring roles in They're Playing Our Song (1981) and Alitaptap sa Gabing Mailap (1985). In 2013, he produced the rock musical Lorenzo. On television, De Leon has since played major roles in soap operas as early as the 2000s. He was cast in a number of dramatic roles in Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw (2002), Hanggang Kailan (2004), Kahit Isang Saglit (2008), Ikaw Lamang (2014), Beautiful Strangers (2015), Sana Dalawa ang Puso (2018), Love Thy Woman (2020), Lolong (2022) and Batang Quiapo (2023). De Leon's directorial projects include Halimaw sa Banga (1986), Huwag Mong Salingin ang Sugat Ko (1991) and When I Met You in Tokyo (2023), as well as episodes from drama anthologies.
Film +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released 1970s + Year Title Role Notes 1974 Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang Junior 1975 Banaue: Stairway to the Sky SadekHello... Goodnight... GoodbyeEpisode 2 ("Goodnight")Kahit ang Mundo'y MagunawBatu-Bato sa LangitCris BuenaventuraExecutive Producer1976Ang Katumbas Ay BuhayMarioHide and SeekRelax Lang, Mama ... Sagot Kita Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? Nicolas "Kulas" Ocampo Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos MasugiExecutive Producer1977Si Boyet, Si Hilda atbp.HimselfDocumentaryTisoy!Executive ProducerMasikip, Maluwang... Paraisong Parisukat Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig Alonzo Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising JoeyMy Brother, My Wife1978Nakawin Natin Ang Bawat SandaliBenjaminTopo-Topo BaregaMahal Mo, Mahal KoChrisMga Mata ni AngelitaLoverSapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang, Part 2The husbandKukulog, Kikidlat sa Tanghaling TapatKung Kaya Mo... Kaya Ko RinRamon Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? ModestoDisco Fever Ikaw Ay Akin Rex AguilarDrigo Garrote: Jai Alai KingRodrigo Garrote1979Darna, Kuno?ChrisSpecial appearanceBakit May Pag-ibig Pa?MagkaribalEric GuerreroSa Putik Ihuhugas ay DugoPinay, American StyleChrisAnnie BatungbakalIsang Milyon At Isang Kasalanan Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan Julian MakabayanGusto Kita Mahal Ko SiyaKasal-kasalan, Bahay-bahayanAbel 1980s + Year Title Role Notes 1980Saan... Sino... Paano???HimselfDocumentaryKasal?JoelIwahigAlex Zaragosa Kakabakaba Ka Ba? Johnny Taga sa Panahon Aguila Mari L. AguilaSugat sa UgatRamonKung Ako'y Iiwan Mo1981KamakalawaKauingShowbiz Scandal Pakawalan Mo Ako FreddieI ConfessDirty GamesDalaga si Misis, Binata si MisterKarmaEdwinSpecial appearance1982Palipat-lipat, Papalit-palitTinimbang ang LangitJoel Relasyon EmilMalikotZen JamirAnakAlfredNo Other LoveSinasamba KitaJerry Cain and Abel Ellis Haplos Al1983Love BirdsPaano Ba ang Mangarap?Eric Broken Marriage ReneMinsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang NakaraanRodBad Bananas on the Silver ScreenErrolProducer1984Kung Mahawi Man ang UlapRustanAkin ang Iyong KatawanAntonio CuaresmaSampung Ahas ni Eva1985Kapag Puso'y SinugatanRamon Bituing Walang Ningning Nico Escobar Hindi Nahahati ang Langit NoelKay Dali ng Kahapon, Ang Bagal ng BukasBelovedDindo TuasonKailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita Jake Abelardo God... Save Me! Homer 1986Huwag Mo Kaming IsumpaFrancisMagdusa Ka!RodHalimaw sa BangaDirector1987Ayokong Tumungtong sa LupaDodong Maging Akin Ka Lamang Andy AbrigoWalang Karugtong ang Nakaraan 1988 Kapag Napagod ang Puso Adrian Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? Paolo 3 Mukha ng Pag-ibig Olan1989Bakit Iisa Lamang ang Puso?Babangon Ako't Dudurugin KitaAlfred Imortal Josef Alfonso / Nicholas Alfonso-Lopez / Basil Alonso-Lopez 1990s + Year Title Role Notes 1990 Biktima Jing Aureus My Other Woman Benjo Santiago Gumapang Ka sa Lusak LeviHigit na Matimbang ang Dugo1991Kislap sa DilimNitoyMakiusap Ka sa DiyosVince Ipagpatawad Mo MikeHuwag Mong Salingin ang Sugat Ko DelfinDirectorDinampot ka Lang sa PutikEdmondOnyong MajikeroMelencio FernandoSpecial appearance 1992 Hiram na Mukha Dr. Hugo RoldanMahal Kita, Walang IbaAlexAdventures of Gary Leon at KutingAgno1993Sana'y Ikaw na NgaKevinDivine Mercy: Sa Buhay ni Sister FaustinaKarlDahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez StoryPaoloKung Mawawala Ka PaTony Gaano Kita Kamahal Rolly Suclad1994Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?RamonNag-iisang BituinPhillip CaballeroVampiraArmanPaano Na? Sa Mundo ni JanetGaston 1995 Eskapo Eugenio López, Jr.Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibigSpanky 1996 Sa Aking Mga Kamay Joven dela Rosa Kristo DismasWanted: Perfect MotherDante Zulueta Madrasta Edward1997Hanggang Ngayon Ika'y MinamahalLeonardo PerezHalikSimon Nasaan ang Puso Dave 1998 Ama Namin Fr. Rico / Ka MarcoTumutol Man ang Tadhana Pahiram Kahit SandaliAndySambahin ang Ngalan MoDaniel1999KatawanCarlo Wansapanataym: The Movie Gary Azurin Bulaklak ng Maynila TimoHigit Pa sa Buhay KoAlex
2000s + Year Title Role Notes 2000Pedro Penduko: The Return of the ComebackAmangCameoTunay na MahalTomIka-13 KapituloDavidYakapin Mo ang UmagaCharlieSugatang PusoNoel2001Alas DoseRemo Doce American Adobo Mike 2002 Mahal Kita, Final Answer Himself Cameo, uncredited Dekada '70 Julian BartolomeMagkapatidBobby Reyes2003Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin KaRaffy Mano Po 2: My Home Antonio "Tony" Chan 2004 Mano Po III: My Love Michael Lim 2005 Blue Moon Rod Pineda2006Nasaan si Francis?RockyProducerTulay 2007 Faces of Love Don Arcadio2008BanalMajor Miguel Sagala When Love Begins Paco Valmonte Magkaibigan Atoy 2009 Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love Alfonso Uy 2010s + Year Title Role Notes 2010 Sa 'yo Lamang Franco Alvero 2011 Catch Me, I'm in Love President Enrique Rodriguez 2012 Flames of Love El Presidente Gen. Antonio Luna 2014 Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina, at mga Anak Ka Romeo 2015 Tragic Theater Miguel Sanchez Agcaoli 2016 Dukot Manong Johnny The Escort Gary Montenilla2017Across the Crescent MoonKarim Misani Kamandag ng Droga Smaller and Smaller Circles Philip Mapa 2018 Kasal Mayor Ernesto Cordero 2020s + Year Title Role Notes 2021 On the Job: The Missing 8 Arnel Pangan 2023Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok KoTomasMoroKamad When I Met You in Tokyo JoeyAssociate Director202658thN/AFirst animation roleTBA
Television +Key Denotes shows that have not yet been aired + Year Title Role Notes 1986Goin' BananasHimself1992Maalaala Mo KayaEpisode: "Mustang"1993Star Drama Presents1994Maalaala Mo KayaEpisode: "Tropeo at Medalyon"1998Hiwalay kung Hiwalay Daw? Bo Paraiso2000Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?Host2001Maalaala Mo KayaEpisode: "Crib"2002BugsoHusbandDirectorAng Iibigin ay IkawLemuel Verder2003Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw ParinAll Together NowDJ Blue/ TongStarStruckCouncil member2004Hanggang KailanDado2005Now and Forever: AgosArmandoDarnaDr. Zombie2006Maalaala Mo KayaBongEpisode: "Palamig"Maging Sino Ka ManDon Fidel Madrigal2007Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang PagbabalikMagpakailanmanAntonioEpisode: "Sa Aking Muling Pagkabuhay"Pangarap na BituinCarlo Gomez2008Kahit Isang SaglitAnthony Mondragon2009May Bukas PaMarcelito "Lito" AzarconGuest appearanceLovers in ParisGeorge AranazCelebrity Duets: Philippine EditionHimselfSana Ngayong PaskoGordon DionisioMaalaala Mo KayaSarhentoEpisode: "Medal for Valor" Episode DirectorEnriqueEpisode: "Diary"2010SRO Cinemaserye: Meet The FathersFather AlejandroPanday KidsGuroIluminaFrederico SalcedoJillian: Namamasko PoDante MolinaMaalaala Mo KayaBuloyEpisode: "Gitara"2011BantatayBartolome SisonCaptain BarbellNero100 Days to HeavenRonaldo QuinioSa Ngalan ng InaJose "Pepe" Ilustre2012Dahil sa Pag-IbigLeo ValderamaKung Ako'y Iiwan MoManny RaymundoLuna BlancaLuis BuenaluzPahiram ng SandaliPhillip ReyesMaalaala Mo KayaTotoEpisode: "School Uniform"2013KidlatVincent Megaton Sr.Misibis BayAnthony CadizMuling Buksan ang PusoAnton "El Patron" Silvestre / Anton Cabigas2014MagpakailanmanTatay JulianEpisode: "Pabrika ng Bata"The Legal WifeJavier Santiago, Sr.Ikaw LamangFranco Hidalgo2015Beautiful StrangersRonaldo CastilloMagpakailanmanAdult JesusEpisode: "Ama Namin: The Jesus Boy Parungao Story2016Little NanayAugust "Tisoy" D. CastañedaFPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoMichael "Mike" AlonzoAng PandayLizardoAlyas Robin HoodJose De Jesus, Sr.Maalaala Mo KayaAlanEpisode: "Alkansya"Once AgainRicardo SorianoCameo2017Kambal, KaribalEmmanuel De VillaMaalaala Mo KayaLinoEpisode: "Saklay"IndongEpisode: "Tulay"2018Sana Dalawa ang PusoJuancho Laureano2019TODA One I LoveEnrique SixtoMaalaala Mo KayaEdgardo AngaraEpisode: "Family Portrait"2020Love Thy WomanAdam Wong2021I Can See You: The LookoutRobert PenuliarEpisode: "The Lookout"Huwag Kang MangambaElias ArcillaOn the JobArnel PanganCameo2022LolongGovernor Armando BansonMagpakailanmanFidel NacionEpisode: "Sa Ngalan ng Anak: The Fidel Madrideo Nacion Story"TadhanaIsaiahEpisode: "Babawiin Ko Ang Langit"2023Cattleya KillerJoven dela RosaFit Check: Confessions of an Ukay QueenMichael2023–2026FPJ's Batang QuiapoRamon Montenegro
Stage Year Title RoleRef.1970sGodspellJesus1981They're Playing Our Song1985Alitaptap sa Gabing MailapRandle McMurphy2013LorenzoProducer
See also List of awards and nominations received by Christopher de Leon
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