Keempee de Leon
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Keempee de Leon | |
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| Born | Joseph Joachim Tugas de Leon January 8, 1973 |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian, singer, songwriter, television host |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Agent(s) | Viva Artists Agency (1989, 1992–1997) Regal Films (1990–1992) APT Entertainment |
| Parent(s) | Joey de Leon (father) Daria Ramirez (mother) |
Joseph Joachim Tugas de Leon (born January 8, 1973), better known as Keempee de Leon, is a Filipino actor,[1] comedian, singer, songwriter and TV host. He is the son of Joey de Leon and Daria Ramirez.
Career
Keempee de Leon started his showbiz career in 1989 via the Viva Films film I Love You Three Times a Day, where he was paired with Gelli de Belen and worked with soon-to-be-co-host of Eat Bulaga!, Jimmy Santos. Soon after, he became a regular fixture in three TV shows: Eat Bulaga!, That's Entertainment and Agila. In 1990, he was a subject of a tug-of-war between Regal Films and Viva Films when Regal got Keempee to appear as lead role in the romantic comedy movie Romeo Loves Juliet opposite Aiko Melendez. In the end, Keempee chose to remain with Viva Films and signed a contract. In 1992, he was launched as a junior action star via the movie Jesus dela Cruz at ang mga Batang Riles with Ana Roces as his leading lady. The action film was a mild success and it was followed up with Blue Jeans Gang with Dennis Padilla and Leah Orosa as co-stars. However, unlike Batang Riles and Blue Jeans Gang was a flop at the box-office. Keempee was a former Crimson Shirt endorser.
Keempee openly admitted to the public in 1993 that he became a victim of drug abuse and as a result, he underwent rehabilitation at New Beginnings in Sucat, Parañaque. Despite this however, he managed to finish two big movies before he went on sabbatical. The two big movies were: Viva's Sana'y Ikaw na Nga with Christopher de Leon and Vina Morales, and Alyas Batman en Robin with dad Joey de Leon. After his rehabilitation, he became a member of Victory Christian Fellowship while resuming his stalled showbiz career in 1994.
He had his biggest break on TV by playing a leading role in GMA's Villa Quintana with Donna Cruz as his leading lady. He is a former VIVA contract star along with other members of That's Entertainment with Donna Cruz, Jessa Zaragosa, Vina Morales and others. He became Best Drama Actor for Villa Quintana in Star Awards for television. He was also a co-host in GMA Supershow from 1995 to 1997 and a gag performer in IBC 13's Goin' Bayabas, a remake of the '80s gag show Goin' Bananas in 1998.
In 2002, after he graduated and finished his studies at college, he returned to the small screen via ABS-CBN's Klasmeyts and Recuerdo de Amor, but in 2004, he returned to GMA Network where he was signed up to portray the gay Harold in Bahay Mo Ba 'To?. In the sitcom he was paired with Francine Prieto. Their tandem became a hit and he continued playing gay roles in the reality sitcom Kung Ako Ikaw and in films.
In 2008, Keempee returned to primetime via LaLola which stars Rhian Ramos and JC de Vera. He also returned to comedy film for his comeback movie, Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After, an official entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival, together with Tito Sotto and Vic Sotto and his father, Joey De Leon, with co-stars Jimmy Santos, Jose Manalo, Carlene Aguilar, Pauleen Luna and Ryan Agoncillo. After LaLola, he plays Paul in the Philippine remake of Korean drama All About Eve. Currently, Keempee co-hosts a singing competition Are You The Next Big Star? where he works with famous singer, Regine Velasquez.
In 2013, he appeared in the TV series My Husband's Lover where he portrayed Zandro Soriano. Where netizens laud Keempee for Zandro role in My Husband's Lover. In the series, Zandro is the cross dresser cousin of Vincent (Tom Rodriguez), who is a closet bisexual at this point in the story. Zandro's and Vincent's dads are both "allergic" to having gay members in the family but Vincent's father, Gen. Armando Soriano, a retired general, is more vocal – and violent – with regard to the issue.[2]
In March 2016, he was expelled from Eat Bulaga! after 12 years of hosting due to AlDub's popularity along with Michael V.. However, he stayed with GMA Network from 2015 to 2018 as he appeared on the network's different soap operas. His most notable latest works were Little Nanay, where he got to work for the first time with the Superstar Nora Aunor; and Meant to Be where he worked for the first time with former That's Entertainment cast members, most notably Manilyn Reynes and Janno Gibbs.
Recently, he transferred back to ABS-CBN where he reunited with erstwhile girlfriend Christine Reyes in the drama Nang Ngumiti ang Langit.
Keempee's hairstyle
Keempee de Leon sported a haircut back in the 90s that was imitated by young men at the time. Named after him, Keempee, is parted in the middle of the head and long bangs reach as far as the ears. Up until today, Keempee, the hairstyle, is considered a trademark of the era.
Personal life
He has a child named Samantha with his former girlfriend. His past relationships were Manilyn Reynes, Carmina Villarroel, Vina Morales, Ara Mina, Jessa Zaragoza, Bernadette Allyson, Angelika Dela Cruz and Pauleen Luna. In an interview, Keempee reveals that Ina Raymundo and G. Toengi were his ex-girfriends also.
Albums
- Keempee de Leon (OctoArts Records "now PolyEast Records" – 1989)
- OctoArts All Stars – Pasko Para Sa Lahat (OctoArts Records "now PolyEast Records")
- Better Believe It (OctoArts Records "now PolyEast Records" – 1996)
- Awit Mula sa Puso (OctoArts Records "now PolyEast Records" – 2000)
Filmography
Television
Film
| Year | Title | Role | |
| 1985 | Mama Said, Papa Said I Love You | Himself | |
| 1988 | I Love You Three times a Day | Tomas Cruz | |
| 1989 | Ang lahat ng Ito Pati na ang Langit | Kenneth | |
| Super Mouse and the Roborats | Tarzan | ||
| Aso't Pusa | Edong | ||
| Romeo Loves Juliet... But Their Families Hate Each Other! | Romeo | ||
| 1990 | Tootsie-Wootsie: Ang Bandang Walang Atrasan | Dick | |
| Titser's Enemy No. 1 | Junjun | ||
| Tangga and Chos: Beauty Secret Agents | |||
| Petrang kabayo 2: Anong ganda mo! Mukha kang kabayo | Sylverster | ||
| Love at First Sight | |||
| 1991 | Humanap ka ng Panget | Elvin | |
| Angelito San Miguel: Ang Batang City Jail | Banjo | ||
| Alyas Batman en Robin | Kevin / Robin | ||
| 1992 | Miss na miss kita (Utol kong hoodlum II) | ||
| Jesus dela Cruz at ang mga Batang Riles | Jess | ||
| Blue Jeans Gang | Brian | ||
| 1993 | Sana'y Ikaw na Nga | Gary | |
| Gagay Ang Prinsesa ng Brownout | Dela Cruz | ||
| 1994 | Pintsik | Benjie | |
| Cuadro de Jack | Jericho | ||
| 1995 | Barkada Walang Atrasan | Jojo | |
| Okey si Maam | Jess | ||
| Love Notes the movie | Norman | ||
| 1997 | The Sarah Balabagan Story | ||
| Nag-iisang Ikaw | Aaron Buenaventura | ||
| Ten Little Indians | |||
| 2001 | Bahay Ni Lola | Bob | |
| 2003 | Message Sent | ||
| 2005 | Happily Ever After | Pampee | |
| Lovestruck | Oscar | ||
| Ispiritista: Itay, may moomoo | Ghost in the CR | ||
| 2007 | Babang Luksa | ||
| 2006 | Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 (LRT) | Cesar | |
| 2008 | Iskul Bukol: 20 years After | Wimpee |
TV specials
- That's Entertainment Anniversary Special (GMA Network)
- Kapamilya: ABS-CBN at 50 TV Special
- Eat Bulaga Silver Special (GMA Network)
- GMA at 55: The GMA Anniversary Special
- Dolphy Alay Tawa: A Musical Tribute to the King of Philippine Comedy
- Tribute to the Master Showman Kuya Germs (GMA Network)
Awards and nominations
| YEAR | CRITICS | CATEGORY | TV Show / Program | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | Agila | Nominated |
| 1995 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | Villa Quintana | Won |
| 1996 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | Villa Quintana | Won |
| 2005 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Comedy Actor | Bahay Mo Ba 'To | Won |
| 2005 | ENPRESS | Best Comedy Supporting Actor | Bahay Mo Ba 'To | Won |
| 2006 | 20th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Comedy Actor | Bahay Mo Ba 'To? | Nominated |
| 2006 | Asian TV Awards | Best Comedy Performance | Bahay Mo Ba 'To? | Nominated |
| 2008 | 22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Reality Competition Program Host | Kung Ako Ikaw | Nominated |
| 2013 | 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Single Performance by an Actor | (Magpakailanman Presents "Ang Tatay Kong Beki: The Ruben Marasigan Story"; GMA-7) | Nominated |
| 2015 | 13th Gawad Tanglaw | Best Performance by an Actor by a Single Performance | "Kulungan, Kanlungan" (The Eat Bulaga Lenten Special) | Won |
References
- ^ Arache, Maurice (March 31, 2006). "Beauty and bravura in Iloilo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. C2. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
- ^ "Netizens laud Keempee for Zandro role in 'My Husband's Lover'". gmanetwork.com.
External links
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
- Filipino male child actors
- Filipino male comedians
- Filipino male television actors
- Male actors from Manila
- That's Entertainment (Philippine TV series)
- That's Entertainment Thursday Group Members
- Filipino male singers
- Filipino songwriters
- 1973 births
- Filipino people of Spanish descent
- ABS-CBN personalities
- GMA Network personalities
- Viva Artists Agency
- Living people
- 21st-century Filipino singers
- 21st-century male singers
- Filipino male film actors