Christopher de Leon on screen and stage

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),^[1] winning his second Best Actor at the FAMAS for the latter.^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[4] 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).^[5] 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.^[6][7] 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.^[8] 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.^[4][9]

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.^[10] 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.^[11][12] 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.^[13] 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.