# Joel Torre

José Rizalino "Joel" de León Torre (born June 19, 1961) is a Filipino actor and producer who is best known for his numerous films such as the biographical film José Rizal (1998), crime thriller film On the Job (2013) and the historical drama Amigo (2010), with the latter winning him the Best Actor Award at the 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.

## Early life and education

Torre originated from Bacolod and studied at the University of St. La Salle.

## Early career

At age seven, Torre was a member of the Bacolod-based Masskara theater group ran by director Peque Gallaga, where his passion for acting started. He was the youngest member in the group which composed of 13 people. He then played a small role in Lino Brocka's Gumising ka, Maruja which was shot in Bacolod in 1978. A few years later, Gallaga tasked Torre to play a role for his 1982 film Oro, Plata, Mata.

## Personal life

Torre's middle name, Rizalino, comes from the fact that he was born exactly 100 years after the Filipino national hero José Rizal. His parents were Alfonso Obregon Torre and Luz de Leon Diaz. He is the grandson of former Iloilo City municipal president (now City Mayor) Juan de Leon who served from 1904–1905. His uncle is Dr. Pablo O. Torre. He is married to Christy Azcona in 1990. They have two daughters, Maria "Aila" Ariela and Maria "Marela" Raphaela.
In 2003, Torres and his wife founded JT's Manukan Grille in Quezon City. It offers Bacolod-style chicken inasal, a native dish of his. Currently, it has 35 branches in the country.
In 2024, Philippines AirAsia partnered with Torre's JT’s Manukan Grille to offer Bacolod chicken inasal in-flight. It also opened its first overseas restaurant in Lucky Plaza.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1989 | Balintataw | | PTV |
| 1991 | Cebu | | RPN |
| 1993 | Noli Me Tángere | Crisostomo Ibarra | ABC |
| 1995 | Villa Quintana | Robert Quintana | GMA Network |
| 1997–1999 | Esperanza | Raul Estrera | ABS-CBN |
| 1998 | Wansapanataym: Chemistry | | ABS-CBN |
| 1999 | Saan Ka Man Naroroon | Juanito Ocampo | ABS-CBN |
| 2001 | Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka | Franco Dequiros Montecillo | ABS-CBN |
| 2002–2004 | Kapalaran | Cesar Arman | ABS-CBN |
| 2003 | A LEGACY OF HEROES: The Story of Bataan and Corregidor | Himself | IBC-13 |
| 2003 | Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas | Anton Garcia | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Marina | Elias Sto. Domingo | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Now And Forever: Mukha | Guido | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Gulong ng Palad | Tomas Santos | ABS-CBN |
| 2006 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Poon | Jun | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang: Ang Prinsipeng Unggoy | Tinong | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Pangarap na Bituin | Cocoy Mendoza | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Iisa Pa Lamang | Rolando Ramirez | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Sine Novela: Saan Darating ang Umaga? | Ruben Rodrigo | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Zorro | Don Roberto Pelaez | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Elena M. Patron's Momay | Donato "Donnie" Buenavidez | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Pilyang Kerubin | Dante Garcia | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Grazilda | Fernando | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Wansapanataym: Buhawi Jack | Manuel Miranda | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Andres Delgado | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Walang Hanggan | William Alcantara | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Dahil sa Pag-Ibig | Benjamin Osorio | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Lorenzo's Time | Badong Gamboa | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Juan Dela Cruz | Jose "Mang Pepe" Guerrero | ABS-CBN |
| 2013–2014 | Honesto | Hugo Layer | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Ikaw Lamang | Samuel Hidalgo | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Wansapanataym: Remote ni Eric | Romy Gutierrez | ABS-CBN |
| 2015–2016 | On the Wings of Love | Soliman 'Sol' Olivar | ABS-CBN |
| 2016–2021 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Teodoro "Teddy" Arevalo | ABS-CBN |
| 2019–2020 | Starla | Gregorio "Greggy" Dichaves | ABS-CBN |
| 2021 | It's Showtime | Magpasikat 2021 Judge | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2023 | Dirty Linen | Rolando Sinag / Abe Matias | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2024 | Pamilya Sagrado | Ernesto "Estong" Malonzo | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2025 | Incognito | Samuel | Kapamilya Channel |

### Web

| Year | Title | Role | Platform |
| 2022 | One Good Day | Eddie Rodrigo | Amazon Prime Video |

### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Producer |
| 2024 | And the Breadwinner Is... | Popshie Salvador (Bambi's father) | Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company |
| 2024 | Outside | Arturo | Netflix |
| 2024 | Lolo and the Kid | Lolo | Netflix |
| 2024 | Under a Piaya Moon | Lolo Poldo | Bakunawa Films |
| 2021 | Barumbadings | Mother Joy | Viva Films |
| 2019 | Miracle in Cell No. 7 | Soliman / Boss Sol | Viva Films |
| 2018 | Jacqueline Comes Home | Dionisio | Viva Films |
| 2017 | Northern Lights: A Journey to Love | Kado | Spring Films, Regal Entertainment, Star Cinema |
| 2016 | Just the 3 of Us | Arturo Manalo | Star Cinema |
| 2015 | Felix Manalo | Teofilo Ramos | Viva Films |
| 2013 | On the Job | Mario 'Tatang' Maghari | Reality Entertainment, Star Cinema |
| 2012 | A Secret Affair | Jimmy | Viva Films |
| 2012 | Pridyider | Mr. Benitez | Regal Entertainment |
| 2012 | Just One Summer | Daniel Cuaresma Sr. | GMA Films |
| 2012 | The Bourne Legacy | Citrus Samaritan / Extra | Universal Studios |
| 2012 | The Healing | Melchor | Star Cinema |
| 2011 | Subject: I Love You | Marlon | Radiant Films |
| 2011 | Le Marquis | Le Commandant Du SWAT | Pathé |
| 2010 | In Your Eyes | Ronnie Delos Santos | GMA Films, Viva Films |
| 2010 | Amigo | Rafael Dacanay | Variance Films, Star Cinema, Origin8Media |
| 2008 | Baler | Commandante Teodorico Luna Novicio | Viva Films |
| 2008 | Namets! | Caveman | Videoflick Productions |
| 2008 | Ploning | Old Siloy | Panoramanila Pictures |
| 2007 | The Promise | Gustin | Regal Entertainment, GMA Films |
| 2004 | Panaghoy sa Suba | Damian | CM Films |
| 2004 | Lastikman: Unang Banat | Pablo | Viva Films |
| 2004 | Evolution of a Filipino Family | Mayor | Ebolusyon Productions, Sine Olivia, Paul Tañedo Inc. |
| 2003 | My First Romance | Dante | Star Cinema |
| 2002 | Singsing ni Lola | Fidel | Regal Entertainment |
| 2000 | Spirit Warriors | Roman | Roadrunner Network, Inc., MAQ Productions |
| 2000 | Tanging Yaman | Francis | Star Cinema |
| 1999 | Esperanza: The Movie | Raul Estrera | Star Cinema |
| 1999 | Bayaning 3rd World | José Rizal | Cinema Artists Philippines |
| 1998 | José Rizal | Crisostomo Ibarra / Simoun | GMA Films |
| 1997 | Milagros | Junie | Merdeka Film Productions |
| 1997 | DNA | Taka | Interlight Films |
| 1996 | Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar | Emilio Aguinaldo | Golden Lion Films |
| 1995 | Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray for Us!) – A Massacre in Singapore | Conrado Maga | Regal Films and Golden Lions Films |
| 1995 | The Lilian Velez Story Till Death Us Part | Joe Climaco | Viva Films and Golden Lions Films |
| 1995 | Eskapo | Jorge Cabardo | Star Cinema |
| 1994 | Lipa Arandia Massacre Lord Deliver Us From Evil | Ronald Arandia | Viva Films and Golden Lions Films |
| 1988 | Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? | Larry | Seiko Films |
| 1985 | Bituing Walang Ningning | Garry Diaz | Viva Films |
| 1983 | Karnal | Goryo | Cine Suerte |
| 1982 | Oro, Plata, Mata | Miguel Lorenzo | Experimental Cinema of the Philippines |
* Kabisera (2013)
* The Diplomat Hotel (2013)
* Juana C. the Movie (2013)
* Mariposa: Sa Hawla ng Gabi (2012)
* Huling Biyahe (2012)
* Captive(2012)
* Flight of an Angel (2011)
* Deep Gold 3D (2011)
* Sabungero (2009)
* Surviving Evil (2009)
* Affliction (2008)
* Green Paradise (2007)
* Casket for Hire (2007)
* Possessed (2007)
* Baliw (2007)
* Ina, Anak, Pamilya (2006)
* Umaaraw, Umuulan (2006)
* Hari ng Sablay: Isang tama, sampung mali (2005)
* Beneath the Cogon (2005)
* Rigodon (2005)
* Ang Anak ni Brocka (2005)
* Say That You Love Me (2005)
* Camiling Story (2005)
* Lasponggols (2005)
* Pinoy/Blonde (2005)
* Boso (2005)
* Kuya (2004)
* Ang Kapitbahay (2003)
* Chavit (2003)
* Abong: Small Home (2003)
* First Time (2003)
* Sanib (2003)
* Utang ni Tatang (2002)
* Taxi ni Pilo (2001)
* Batang West Side (2001)
* Anak (2000)
* Bayaning 3rd World (1999)
* Still Lives (1999)
* Kiss Mo 'Ko (1999)
* Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan
* Seventeen (1999)
* Berdugo (1998)
* Ilaban Mo, Bayan Ko: The Obet Pagdanganan Story (1997)
* Maalaala Mo Kaya (1997)
* Puerto Princesa (1997)
* Tirad Pass: The Story of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (1997)
* Nakaw Na Sandali (1997)
* Ilaban Mo Bayan Ko (1997)
* Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig? (1997)
* Milagros (1997)
* DNA (1997)
* Nasaan Ka nang Kailangan Kita (1996)
* Mumbaki (1996)
* Sana Naman (1996)
* Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray for Us!) (1995)
* Redeem Her Honor (1995)
* Rollerboys (1995)
* Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy (1995)
* The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part (1995)
* Eskapo (1995)
* Asian Cop: High Voltage (1995)
* Tunay na magkaibigan, walang iwanan... peksman (1994)
* Lipa 'Arandia' Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us from Evil (1994)
* Comfort Women: A Cry for Justice (1994)
* The Myrna Diones Story (Lord, Have Mercy!) (1993)
* Maricris Sioson: Japayuki (1993)
* Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway (1993)
* Pandoy: Alalay ng Panday (1993)
* Noli Me Tángere (1992)
* Matud Nila (1991)
* Shake, Rattle & Roll III (1991)
* McBain
* Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka (1990)
* Machete: Istatwang buhay (1990)
* Mana sa ina
* Kunin mo ang ulo ni Ismael (1990)
* First Lesson (1989)
* Mahirap ang magmahal (1989)
* Anak ng demonyo (1989)
* Magkano ang iyong dangal? (1988)
* Arturo Lualhati (1988)
* Isusumbong kita sa Diyos (1988)
* Hiwaga sa Balete Drive (1988)
* Olongapo... The Great American Dream (1987)
* Susuko ba ako, inay? (1987)
* Once Upon a Time (1987)
* Saan Nagkamali Ang Pag-ibig (1987)
* Evelio (1986)
* Bilanggo sa Dilim (1986)
* I Love You Mama, I Love You Papa (1986)
* The Graduates
* Unfaithful Wife (1986)
* Bagong Hari (1986)
* Bed Sins (1985)
* Beware: Bed Sins (1985)
* Isla (1985)
* Shake, Rattle & Roll (1984)
* Batgts 2
* Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan (1984)
* Of the Flesh (1983)
* Init sa Magdamag (1983)
* Oro, Plata, Mata (1982)
* Wake Up, Maruja (1978)

### Music video appearances

| Year | Title | Performer | Director | Ref. |
| 2021 | Magpahinga | Ben&Ben | Jorel Lising | |

## Awards

* Celebrity Inductee, 2013 Eastwood City Walk Of Fame
* Nominated, Best Drama Actor "Boracay" PMPC Star Awards For TV 1991
* Winner, Best Supporting Actor "Under a Piaya Moon" Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2024