Ramon Zamora

Infobox actor
name = Ramon Zamora


image_size =
caption =
birthname = Ramon Artiaga Zamora
birthdate = Birth date|1935|6|27|mf=y
birthplace = San Juan, Rizal, Philippines
deathdate = death date and age|2007|8|26|1935|6|27|mf=y
deathplace = Antipolo City, Philippines
othername =
occupation = Filipino comedian and action film actor
yearsactive = 1953 - 2007

Ramon Zamora (June 27, 1935 — August 26, 2007) was a Filipino film actor best known for his leading roles in local martial arts films and action movies of the 1970s. He was popularly dubbed as the "Bruce Lee of the Philippines".cite web| last =Meruenas| first =Mark| title =Ramon Zamora, Pinoy 'Bruce Lee,' dies at 72|publisher = GMANews.TV| date = 2007-08-27|url =http://www.gmanews.tv/story/57828/Ramon-Zamora-Pinoy-Bruce-Lee-dies-at-72| accessdate = 2007-12-29] cite web| last =Cruz| first =Marinel| title =RP’s Bruce Lee was ‘very tired’ |publisher = Philippine Daily Inquirer| date = 2007-08-29|url =http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=85436| accessdate = 2007-12-29]

Early career

Zamora was born in San Juan, Rizal.cite encyclopedia |author= Rosalinda Galang |editor=Nicanor Tiongson |encyclopedia=CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art |title=Philippine Film |accessyear=2008 |accessmonth=January |edition=1st |year=1994 |publisher=Cultural Center of the Philippines|volume=VIII |location=Manila |pages= pp.338-339|isbn=971-8546-31-6 |quote= ] He began his entertainment career in 1953 as a stuntman and dancer for LVN Pictures. He persevered in the bodabil circuit, performing regularly at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House. cite web| last =Francisco| first =Butch| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =So long, Isprakenhayt!
work =Starbytes| publisher = ABS-CBN Interactive| date =2007-08| url =http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=90422|format =| doi =| accessdate = 2007-11-08 ] He also was a member of the Festival Dancers, a dance troupe which performed international tours regularly.

From his stage performances, he was contracted in 1969 to star as a mainstay of the ABS-CBN gag show Super Laff-In. Zamora's most popular stock character in the show was a military-clad figure that bore an unmistakable physical resemblance to Adolf Hitler, who spoke in bastardized German and spouted catchphrases such as "Isprakenheit". The role won him the "Best Actor Citizen's Award for Television".

Film star

When Super Laff-In's network ABS-CBN was closed upon the declaration of martial law in 1972, Zamora shifted gears and focused on a film career. He starred as the durable komiks character Pedro Penduko in the 1973 Celso Ad Castillo fantasy film "Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko". The resulting success of the film boosted Zamora'spopularity, and he soon became one of the top box-office draws in Philippine cinema in the 1970s.

Zamora was especially popular for a string of locally-produced martial arts films that emerged following the international success of Bruce Lee. Patterning his film persona around a Bruce Lee-type with a comedic twist, Zamora starred in such films as "Shadow of the Dragon" (1973), "Cobra at Lawin" (1973), "Game of Death" (1974), "Return of the Dragon" (1977), and "Bruce Liit" (1978).

Later years

By the 1980s, Zamora's career as a leading man petered out, and he returned to guest-starring in television programs, often in his "Hitler" guise. He also portrayed character roles in films, including one in the 1994 update of the Pedro Penduko saga now starring Janno Gibbs, "Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko". At the time of his death from a heart attack in his Antipolo City home, Zamora had completed one last film that had yet to be released, "Ataul for Rent".

Filmography

Movies

* Ataul: For Rent (2007) .... Chairman Tando
* M.O.N.A.Y (Misteyks obda neyson adres Yata) ni Mr. Shooli (2007)
* Lisensyadong kamao (2005) .... Pedring
* Pelukang itim: Agimat ko ito for victory again (2005)
* Pistolero (2002)
* Eva, lason kay Adan (2002)
* Sgt. Isaias Marcos... Bawat hakbang panganib (2000)
* Isang lahi, isang dugo sa lupang pangako (2000) .... Arula
* Basta Tricycle Driver... Sweet Lover (2000)
* Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return of the Comeback (2000) .... Maguayan
* Aguinaldo (1993)
* Dudurugin Kita Ng Bala Ko (1991)
* Hindi Palulupig (1990)
* Eh kasi bata (1989) .... Frank Chavit
* My Darling Domestic (The Greytest Iskeyp) (1989)
* Me and Ninja Liit (1988) .... Papang Sang
* Damong makamandag (1988)
* Lorenzo Ruiz the Saint (1988)
* Vengeance Squad (1987) .... Special Participation
* The Rookies and the Mighty Kids (1987)
* Death Raiders (1984)
* Snake Dragon Connection (1980)
* Ahas sa Pugad Lawin (1979)
* Bruce liit (1978)
* Ang Hari at ang Alas (1978)
* Dragon, Lizard, Boxer (1977)
* The Interceptors (1977)
* Peter Pandesal (1977) .... Pete
* They Call Him Chop-suey (1975) .... Chop-suey
* Return of the Dragon (1974/I)
* Ang Mahiwagang daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (1973) .... Pedro Penduko
* Dobol trobol (1973)

Television

* Maging Sino Ka Man (2006) .... Simon
* Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko (2006) .... Father Ben

Notes

Reference

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External links

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