Christopher de Leon

He received the Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th PMPC Star Awards.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The series continued six months later with Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik, ending on March 28, 2008.

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.

On June 30, 2010, he was sworn into office as a board member of the second district of Batangas.

De Leon is the son of Gil de León and Lilia Dizon.

He is of German Jewish descent from his maternal grandfather.

In 2010, he was among the cast of the fantasy television series Panday Kids and Ilumina.

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.

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 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.

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.