Dolphy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dolphy
Dolphy in 2008
Birth name	Rodolfo Vera Quizon
Born	(1928-07-25)July 25, 1928 Tondo, Manila, Philippine Islands
Died	July 10, 2012(2012-07-10) (aged 83) Makati, Philippines
Resting place	The Heritage Park, Taguig, Philippines
Medium	Stand-up film television
Genres	Observational comedy black comedy satire
Children	18 (see below)
Parent(s)	Melencio Espinosa Quízon Salud de la Rosa Vera
Occupation	Comedian, actor
Years active	1945–2012
Television	John en Marsha Home Along Da Riles Pidol's Wonderland

Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. (July 25, 1928 – July 10, 2012), known as Dolphy, was a famous Filipino comedian and actor. Many people called him the "King of Comedy" in the Philippines. He made people laugh through his many works on stage, radio, TV, and in movies. Dolphy's career lasted for many years, making him a beloved figure in Filipino entertainment.

Early Life and First Steps in Showbiz

Dolphy was born in Tondo, Manila, on July 25, 1928. His father, Melencio Espinosa Quizon, worked on ship engines. His mother, Salud de la Rosa Vera, was a seamstress and a teacher. Dolphy had nine brothers and sisters.

He went to public schools until seventh grade. He also studied at Florentino Torres High School. Dolphy was an average student in school.

As a boy, Dolphy sold peanuts and watermelon seeds at movie theaters. This allowed him to watch movies for free. When World War II started, he was about 13 years old. He did many odd jobs to help his family. These jobs included shining shoes and driving a horse-drawn carriage called a kalesa.

In his free time, Dolphy loved watching stage shows. He enjoyed seeing comedy duos and dancers perform. When he was 17, he got a job as a chorus dancer. He performed at famous theaters like the Avenue Theater. "Golay" was his first stage name.

Dolphy's Amazing Career

Dolphy's journey in entertainment began with small steps. He worked hard to become the "King of Comedy."

Starting in Movies and Radio

Dolphy starred in his first movie, Dugo at Bayan (I Remember Bataan), when he was 19. He played small roles at first. Fernando Poe Sr., a famous actor, gave him his first chance in films. Dolphy later said his first pay for a movie was only 5 pesos.

In the late 1940s, Dolphy started working in radio shows. He joined a program called Wag Naman. His comedy act with his friend Panchito also became popular on radio.

In 1952, Dolphy joined Sampaguita Pictures, a big movie studio. His first movie with them was Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita. The comedy duo of Dolphy and Panchito became very famous during this time.

In 1954, Dolphy acted in Jack en Jill. In this movie, he played a character that was different from typical male roles. This role helped him become a well-known actor. After his contract with Sampaguita ended, he was earning much more money for each movie.

TV Shows and His Own Movie Company

From 1964 to 1972, Dolphy starred in a very popular TV show called Buhay Artista. This show was a huge success in the 1960s. He later moved to GMA Network with the show.

While working on TV, Dolphy also made many films for different studios. In 1964, he played the main character in Captain Barbell. He also starred in many funny movies that made fun of spy films.

In 1967, Dolphy started his own movie company called RVQ Productions. He wanted to produce his own films. His first movie from his company, based on his TV show Buhay Artista, was a big hit.

In 1969, Dolphy starred in Facifica Falayfay. He played a gay lead character in this very popular movie. He worked with director Luciano "Chaning" Carlos on many films.

John en Marsha, another very famous TV show, started in 1971. Dolphy played John, the husband, and Nida Blanca played Marsha, his wife. His real son Rolly Quizon and young actress Maricel Soriano played their children. John en Marsha was so popular that they made eight movie versions of the show.

In 1978, Dolphy played another unique role in Ang Tatay Kong Nanay (My Father that is also a Mother). He acted alongside Niño Muhlach, a famous child actor.

Later Years and Special Recognition

The Home Along Da Riles was one of the Philippines' longest running shows of all time.

After John en Marsha, Dolphy had another successful TV show called Home Along Da Riles. It started in 1992. He starred with Nova Villa as his wife and his real son Vandolph as one of his children.

In 2001, Dolphy played a challenging role in the movie Markova: Comfort Gay. He played the same character at different stages of life, along with his sons Eric Quizon and Jeffrey Quizon. They all won an award in Brussels, Belgium, for their acting.

On July 25, 2008, Dolphy celebrated his 80th birthday. A book about his life, Dolphy, Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa (Dolphy, I Didn't Get Here All By Myself), was launched. Many people praised him for bringing joy and laughter to Filipinos.

In 2008, Dolphy made a movie called Dobol Trobol with Comedy Box Office King Vic Sotto. This was a special movie because it was made by both Dolphy's and Vic Sotto's film companies.

In 2009, Dolphy starred in Nobody Nobody But... Juan. He played a retired senior citizen who wanted to watch a TV show in Manila. He was also considered for the Order of National Artists, a very high honor for Filipino artists.

In 2010, Dolphy played a priest in his last movie, Father Jejemon. That same year, President Benigno Aquino III gave Dolphy the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart. This is the highest award given to a private citizen by the President of the Philippines. Dolphy was recognized for his contributions to entertainment and his charity work.

Personal Life

Dolphy had a large family. He had 18 children from six relationships. Some of his children also became actors, following in his footsteps.

• Engracita Dominguez (actress): They had six children.
• Gloria Smith (actress): They had four children.
• Alice Smith (actress): They had four children, including Eric Quizon and Jeffrey.
• Evangeline Tagulao (nurse): They had one child.
• Alma Moreno (actress): They had one child, Vandolph.
• Zsa Zsa Padilla (actress and singer): Dolphy was with Zsa Zsa for over 20 years. They had one child, Zia, and adopted another.

Dolphy was a devoted Catholic throughout his life. He sometimes went to Mass and practiced Catholic traditions. He also respected other Christian faiths.

Dolphy stayed away from politics even though he was often asked to run for office. He supported his close friend Fernando Poe Jr. during his presidential campaign in 2004.

Death and Lasting Legacy

Dolphy's tomb in Taguig Heritage Park

Dolphy passed away on July 10, 2012, at the age of 83. This was just 15 days before his 84th birthday. He died due to health problems, including issues with his lungs and kidneys.

After his death, on July 13, 2012, the President declared a "National Day of Remembrance." This honored Dolphy's great contributions to the Philippine entertainment industry.

Many honors were given to Dolphy after he passed away.

• Joseph Estrada, a fellow actor and former President, gave him the 2012 People's Artist Award.
• In 2013, the Philippine Postal Corporation released a special "Dolphy Stamp."
• A mobile game called Dolphy's Cleanup was released in his honor. Part of the money from the game went to charity.
• In 2020, Google celebrated his 92nd birthday with a special Google Doodle.

ABS-CBN Studio 1, one of the oldest studios at ABS-CBN, was renamed the Dolphy Theatre in his honor in 2008. This shows how much he was respected and loved in the entertainment world.

Honors and Awards

Dolphy received many awards and honors throughout his life and even after his death.

National Honor

• : Order of the Golden Heart, Grand Collar - (2010)

* This is one of the highest awards a private citizen can receive from the President of the Philippines.

Special Awards

• Lifetime Achievement Award from PASADO Awards
• 1995 PMPC Star Awards for TV, Lifetime Achievement Award
• 1998 Gawad Urian Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2000 Cinemanila International Film Festival, Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2009 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards, Comedy Box-Office King (with Vic Sotto)
• 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2012 Gawad na Diwa ng Lahi – the highest honor from the government of Manila.
• 2012 People's Artist Award – given after his death to recognize his contributions to movies.

Awards for Acting

Dolphy is also the only artist in the Philippines to win Best Actor and Actress for a single role. This was for his performance in the film Markova: The Comfort Gay.

Images for kids

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  Dolphy's 2013 commemorative stamp