Dante Varona (born 1953) is a former

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

actor and film director. He was considered one of the more famous action stars from the 1970s up to the 1980s along with

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, Bernard Bonnin, Jess Lapid, Jr.,

Rhene Imperial Renato Chua (born February 15, 1950) better known as Rhene Imperial, a former action star, former producer and currently born-again Christian minister in the Philippines. Career Imperial starred in ''Boy Singkit'' (1980) with Tony Ferrer and Car ...

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, Baldo Marro,

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, Rudy Fernandez,

Bembol Roco Rafael Aranda Roco, Jr. (born November 20, 1953), popularly known as Bembol Roco, is a Filipino actor whose work ranges from films to television. He is famous for his critically acclaimed role as Julio Madiaga in '' Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liw ...

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and

Ace Vergel Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar (November 20, 1954 – December 15, 2007), better known as Ace Vergel, was a Filipino actor dubbed "The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies". He was the son of the late film actors Alicia Vergel and César R ...

, among others. One of his famous stunts involved jumping from the

San Juanico Bridge The San Juanico Bridge ( fil, Tulay ng San Juanico; war, Tulay han San Juanico) is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. Its longest length is a steel girder via ...

in ''Hari ng Stunt'' (''King of Stunts'').

Career

Varona began his movie career in 1968 in ''Mangificent Siete Bandidas''. Leading roles in his early career included ''Master Stuntman'' (1970) and ''Leon Dimasupil'' (1973). He did also a movie ''Gulapa'' (1977) with

in a true-to-life-story of former Mayor Patrocinio Z. Gulapa of Maragondon, Cavite and the movie ''Carding Estrabel: Tirador Ng Malabon'' (1980), based on the life story of Ricardo Luciano. In 1981, action star Dante Varona made a daring and spectacular stunt act when he jumped at the San Juanico Bridge for a scene in “Hari ng Stunt.” It’s a make-or-break for this struggling actor whose movie career was in limbo for quite sometime and can’t seem to have a headstart. That breathtaking leap changed his fortune overnight. The movie was dubbed as “The most death defying action thriller of the year!” He became an instant sensation and propelled him to superstardom. He directed some of his films' ''Raging Anger'' (1984), ''Bangkay Mo Akong Hahakbangin'' (1986) and ''Ratratan'' (1999). He was included in a Hollywood movie ''Dune Warriors'', starring

David Carradine David Carradine ( ; born John Arthur Carradine Jr.; December 8, 1936 – June 3, 2009) was an American actor best known for playing martial arts roles. He is perhaps best known as the star of the 1970s television series ''Kung Fu'', playi ...

Rick Hill Richard Hill (born December 30, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Montana. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Montana in 2012. Early life and ...

, Blake Boyd and

Maria Isabel Lopez Maria Isabel Pagunsan Lopez—Melrod (born 19 August 1957), is a Filipina movie and television actress. Lopez was the Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1982 titleholder and represented the Philippines in the 31st Miss Universe Pageant in Lima, Pe ...

. He is the father of Metropop Songfest finalist and singer Tanya Varona.

Filmography

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0890159/ "Dante Varona Director"

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Varona, Dante 1953 births Living people Filipino male film actors Filipino male child actors Filipino film directors Stunt performers