# Joey de Leon

Jose Maria Ramos de Leon Jr. (born October 14, 1946), popularly known as Joey de Leon and also as Henyo Master, is a Filipino comedian, actor, television host and songwriter. He is one of the members of the comedy trio, collectively known as TVJ with the Sotto brothers, Tito and Vic.
Aside from being one of the pioneer hosts of Eat Bulaga!, de Leon is also the creator of the said noontime variety show as recognized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and the co-founder of the show's production company, TVJ Productions.

## Early life

De Leon was the second child of Jose Seoane de Leon (1918–2008) of Spanish Filipino descent, and Emma Manahan Ramos (1925–2019). His paternal grandfather was the first mayor of Malolos, Bulacan. When he was three years old, his parents divorced. His father then moved to Madrid, Spain and eventually remarried.

## Career

Prior to being an entertainer, de Leon earned his architecture degree from the National University in Manila. He was also a disc jockey for 12 radio stations when he was starting out. De Leon started his showbiz career in the 1960s as a radio disc jockey and announcer. He worked for 12 radio stations, including all seven radio stations owned by ABS-CBN Corporation as well as other broadcasters like KBS whose acquiring several broadcasting facilities and channel frequencies formerly used by De Leon's first employers ABS-CBN. His first big break on TV was IBC 13's gag show OK Lang.

### Tito, Vic and Joey

In 1975, de Leon became a co-host of GMA Network's late afternoon variety show Discorama hosted by Bobby Ledesma. He invited his former co-stars at OK Lang, the Sotto brothers Tito, Vic and Val, to join him at Discorama. Only Tito and Vic accepted de Leon's invitation. The newly-formed trio began to do comedy newscast segments interspersed with Top 40 hit-song parodies. Originally, the trio's appearance was supposed to be a one-off invitation as Discorama was set to be axed but after getting good feedback from the viewers and high ratings, the show was given a new lease on life by GMA management. The trio was later invited to become part of the noontime show Student Canteen as they released 12 albums based on their Discorama Tough Hits segment.
The sitcom Iskul Bukol gave them nationwide fame as comedians. Soon after, other TV and movie offers came knocking on the trio's door.
In 1979, Tito, Vic and Joey began hosting the noontime show Eat Bulaga!, which was pitted against the more established Student Canteen. Not long after, Eat Bulaga! toppled Student Canteen from the ratings. The trio is still active on both Holy Week Dramas every Lenten Season and also on comedy variety show on Eat Bulaga!.

### Solo artist

Although de Leon continued to do movies alongside his showbiz teammates Tito and Vic, he started doing solo performances for other TV shows. He top billed Joey and Son in 1982, a sitcom on RPN where he played father to a young boy named "Jeffrey Laperal" played back then by Ian Veneracion. He was also one of the gag performers on TODAS where his co-stars included Jimmy Santos and Val Sotto. Other TV shows included Apple Pie, Patis, Atbp., the Sharon Cuneta Show, and Let's Go Crazy. He was launched by Viva Films as a solo comedian in She-Man: Mistress of the Universe. He also tried his hand at directing films like Romeo Loves Juliet and Small, Medium, Large.
De Leon's films include Starzan. De Leon did several TV shows for GMA Network and ABC. In 1995, he made a film comeback via the comedy Bangers for Viva Films as well as Pipti-pipti, Ang Tipo kong Lalake and Takot Ako sa Darling Ko. He hosts Eat Bulaga! which is now the longest-running TV program in the Philippines, and appears in other shows like Mel and Joey, Startalk, Nuts Entertainment and started a new show for ABC, the now-defunct Teka Mona, which replaced Wow Mali, his long-running TV show on the same network. He started hosting Takeshi's Castle with Ryan Yllana. He is also the resident judge of the annual reality-based star search StarStruck and writes the entertainment column "De Leon's Den" once a week in the Philippine broadsheet Manila Bulletin.
In December 2006, de Leon returned to recording with a novelty song he wrote titled "Itaktak Mo" ("Shake It Off"). Seen by critics as his answer to the other wildly popular hit "Boom Tarat Tarat" (written by Lito Camo and sung by de Leon's rival host Willie Revillame), "Itaktak Mo" was softly launched on Eat Bulaga! shortly before the Christmas season. In January 2007, the song was launched on de Leon's album, Joey to the World 2 and gained airplay in most FM stations. "Itaktak Mo" has also become part of Eat Bulaga!'s segment "Taktak Mo o Tatakbo" that replaced "Laban o Bawi", and is also one of the official dances of the 4th batch of the reality talent search StarStruck.
After "Itaktak Mo" became one of the most requested dance tunes of 2007, de Leon followed it up with "Kagat Labi Song", which was launched on Eat Bulaga! on September 22, 2007. The "Kagat Labi" dance craze was already sweeping the whole country by storm before de Leon wrote it. On February 24, 2008, de Leon released a song titled "Walang Daya" ("No Cheating") with lyrics comparing his love to his rival host Willie Revillame's misfortunes (Wilyonaryo, Ferrari and Ultra stampede). He first sang it on his own program Mel and Joey.
On July 31, 2008, de Leon tendered his irrevocable resignation as columnist ("De Leon's Den") for Manila Bulletin, and he is currently with The Philippine Star, and has a column, "Me, Starzan".
In late 2009, de Leon wrote another hit Eat Bulaga! song titled "Ba Ba Boom". Then in early 2010, he wrote another song, "Aalog-Alog". He also wrote the theme song for Diz Iz It!.
In 2011, he played as Pablo Apostol, the rock-star father of George Apostol/DJ Heidee played by Sarah Geronimo in the romantic-comedy film Won't Last a Day Without You.

### As a songwriter

De Leon wrote most of the lyrics of VST & Co. songs and some Cinderella songs. He also co-wrote "Ilagay Mo Kid" with Mike Hanopol which was performed by Hagibis. He also wrote "Ang Labo Mo" for Sharon Cuneta.

## Controversies
### Pepsi Paloma gang rape case

15-year old actress Pepsi Paloma accused de Leon and fellow comedians Vic Sotto and Richie D'Horsie of gang raping and taking photos of her on June 21, 1982, in a room at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. On July 31, Paloma's manager Rey dela Cruz lodged a formal complaint with Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. On August 18, 1982, Paloma filed charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness against the three television personalities before the Quezon City fiscal's office. The crime of rape at the time, carried the death penalty in the Philippines, and to prevent his brother and his cohorts from being sent to the electric chair, Tito Sotto quickly went to see Paloma while she was still securing the services of Atty. Rene Cayetano. According to Paloma, Tito Sotto coerced her into signing an "Affidavit of Desistance" to drop the rape charges against his brother and cohorts—Tito Sotto had allegedly placed a pistol on the table in front of Paloma when he went to talk to her.

### Depression and self-harm comments

On October 5, 2017, de Leon elicited controversy from Filipino netizens and high-profile figures advocating for mental health awareness, following a remark he made about depression during GMA's Eat Bulaga! segment "Juan for All, All for Juan", saying in part that the mental disorder is "just something made up by people" and that "they do it to themselves". He apologized the following day.
On September 23, 2023, de Leon sparked another controversy in TV5's E. A. T. segment "Gimme 5", where he suggested that a rope is one of the most common objects placed on a person's neck, which was widely interpreted by audiences as a reference to suicide by hanging. De Leon's remark was harshly criticised on social media as insensitive, resulting in calls for MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto – daughter of fellow E.A.T. host Tito Sotto – to investigate on the matter. The management of E.A.T. issued an apology, saying they are "regretful and apologetic to those who were offended by the said utterance".

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Film production |
| 1979 | Mang Kepweng | Tres Dwendes | GP Films |
| 1979 | Swing It... Baby! | Joey | Lea Productions |
| 1979 | Rock, Baby! Rock! | himself | Lea Productions |
| 1980 | Iskul Bukol (Freshmen) | Joey Escalera | GP Film |
| 1980 | Mr. One-Two-Three | Ricky | Regal Films |
| 1981 | Age Doesn't Matter | Johnny | Regal Films |
| 1981 | Palpak Connections | Katch | Regal Films |
| 1981 | Bilibid Gays | Daria | Regal Films |
| 1981 | D'Gradweyts | Jomari | GP Films |
| 1981 | Tartan | Danny | GP Films |
| 1981 | Magtoning Muna Tayo | Rene Soriano | GP Films |
| 1981 | Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2 | Ricky | GP Films |
| 1982 | Si Ako at... Tres Muskiteros! | Ariong Muskitero | GP Films |
| 1982 | Tatlo Silang Tatay Ko | Bronzon | 'D Wonder Films |
| 1982 | Ang Tapang Para sa Lahat! | Raphael | Lea Productions |
| 1983 | M.I.B.: Men in Brief | Eugene Williams | Lea Productions |
| 1983 | My Darling Princess | Joakim | Regal Films |
| 1984 | Goodah! | Owen | Seiko Films |
| 1984 | Give Me Five | Jackson | Regal Films |
| 1984 | Pepe en Pilar | Pepper | Regal Films |
| 1984 | Naku Ha! | Billy Jean | Seiko Films |
| 1985 | I Have Three Hands | Carlos "Caloy" Agatep | Regal Films |
| 1985 | Ride on Baby | John | Seiko Films |
| 1985 | Doctor, Doctor We Are Sick | Robin | Viva Films |
| 1985 | Mama Said, Papa Said, I Love You | Boy | Regal Films |
| 1985 | Ma'am May We Go Out? | Jeff Soriano | Viva Films |
| 1985 | Working Boys | Ernie | Viva Films |
| 1986 | Super Wan, Tu, Tri | Baltazar | Regal Films |
| 1986 | Send in the Clowns | Jojo | Viva Films |
| 1986 | Horsey-Horsey, Tigidig-Tigidig | Gringo | Regal Films |
| 1987 | The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie | Joey Escalera | Regal Films |
| 1987 | Forward March | Dodong | Regal Films |
| 1987 | Shoot That Ball | Tinggoy | Regal Films |
| 1987 | Ready!.. Aim!.. Fire!.. | Hagler | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Fly Me to the Moon | Jacko | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Wake Up Little Susie | Alexander | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Sheman: Mistress of the Universe | Pando/She-Man | Viva Films |
| 1988 | Good Morning, Titser | Priest | Seiko Films |
| 1988 | I Love You 3x a Day | Fairy godmother | Viva Films |
| 1988 | Smith & Wesson | James Smith | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle | Starzan | Regal Films |
| 1989 | Barbi: Maid in the Philippines | Bartolome/Barbi | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1989 | Si Malakas at si Maganda | Police Officer | Regal Films |
| 1989 | Long Ranger & Tonton: Shooting Stars of the West | Davie Bowie aka Long Ranger | Regal Films |
| 1989 | Starzan II: The Coming of the Star Son | Stazan | Regal Films |
| 1989 | Elvis and James: The Living Legends! (Buhay Pa... Mukhang Alamat Na!) | Elvis Presto | Viva Films |
| 1989 | SuperMouse and the Robo-Rats | Mickey | Regal Films |
| 1989 | Romeo Loves Juliet... But Their Families Hate Each Other! | Romeo Sr. | Starzan Films |
| 1990 | Hotdog | Pedro | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | Small, Medium, Large | Prince/Director | Starzan Films |
| 1990 | My Funny Valentine | Mang Pandoy | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Elvis and James 2 | Elvis Presto | Viva Films |
| 1990 | Ganda Babae, Gandang Lalake | Joseph | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Kabayo Kids | Pando/Yellow Banana | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Little & Big Weapon | Mel Bigson | Regal Films |
| 1990 | I Have 3 Eggs | Ariong | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Tangga and Chos: Beauty Secret Agents | Ray Tangga | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1990 | Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle | Starzan | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Little Boy Blue: Tiny Terrestrial | Prof. Edwin Presto | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Tiny Terrestrial: The Three Professors | Prof. Edwin Presto | Regal Films |
| 1991 | Ali in Wonderland | Fernando/Ali | OctoArts Films |
| 1991 | Barbi 2: For President | Bartolome/Barbi del Rosario | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1991 | Onyong Majikero | Ervin | OctoArts Films |
| 1991 | Goosebuster | Patrick Sisi | Regal Films |
| 1992 | The Return of the Long Ranger & Tonton: How the West Was Wrong | Davie Bowie a.k.a. Long Ranger | Regal Films |
| 1992 | The Wild Cowboys | Juan Gomez | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1992 | Sam and Miguel | Miguel | Regal Films |
| 1993 | Alyas Batman en Robin | Batman/Bruce | Regal Films |
| 1993 | Pandoy, ang Alalay ng Panday | Pandoy | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1995 | Bangers | Hip | Viva Films |
| 1995 | Run Barbi Run | Bartolome | GMA Films |
| 1996 | Detective: Michael & Jackson | Ricky Lashley | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1996 | Ang Tipo kong Lalake (Maginoo Pero Medyo Bastos) | Boy | Neo Films |
| 1996 | Ang Misis kong Hoodlum | Andy | Neo Films |
| 1997 | Pipti-pipti: One for You, Two for Me | Jack | Neo Films |
| 1997 | Takot Ako sa Darling Ko | Santi | Neo Films |
| 1997 | Wow! Multo | Kuya Joe Baruc | MAQ Productions |
| 2001 | Super Idol | Pandoy | Neo Films |
| 2003 | Lastikman | Elmer | OctoArts Films |
| 2003 | Pakners | Pickpocketer | Regal Films |
| 2003 | Fantastic Man | Doc | OctoArts Films |
| 2004 | Enteng Kabisote: OK Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend | Mulawit | M-Zet Productions |
| 2005 | Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend Continues! | Panggay | M-Zet Productions |
| 2006 | Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On | Shintaro Gokoyami | M-Zet Productions |
| 2007 | Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka Fairy Ko...The Beginning of the Legend | Karimarimar | M-Zet Productions |
| 2008 | Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After | Joey Escalera | OctoArts Films |
| 2009 | Ang Darling Kong Aswang | Mang Kepweng | OctoArts Films |
| 2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Doctor | Star Cinema |
| 2011 | Won't Last a Day Without You | Pablo Apostol | Star Cinema & Viva Films |
| 2013 | My Little Bossings | SPO2 Bryant | OctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions, K Productions |
| 2015 | My Bebe Love: KiligPaMore | Dom | GMA Films, APT Entertainment, OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, MEDA Productions |
| 2016 | Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers | Pandoy | OctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions, GMA Films |
| 2017 | Barbi: D' Wonder Beki | Barbie | OctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions |
| 2022 | My Teacher | Solomon | Ten17P, Tincan Productions, DepEd Entertainment |

### Television

| Year | Show | Role | Network |
| 1975–1976 | OK Lang | Himself/Host | IBC |
| 1975–1979 | Discorama | Himself/Co-host | GMA Network |
| 1976–1979 | Student Canteen | Himself/Co-host | GMA Network |
| 1978–1988 | Iskul Bukol | Joey Escalera | IBC |
| 1980–1988 | T.O.D.A.S.: Television's Outrageously Delightful All-Star Show | Himself/Host | IBC |
| 1979–present | Eat Bulaga! | Himself/Host | RPN/CNN Philippines/RPTV ABS-CBN GMA Network TV5 |
| 1982 | Joey and Son | Joey | RPN |
| 1988–1997 | The Sharon Cuneta Show | Himself/Co-host | ABS-CBN |
| 1990 | TVJ (TeleVision's Jesters) | Various | IBC |
| 1992 | TVJ on 5 | Various | ABC |
| 1992 | Rock n' Roll 2000 | Teodoro Enriquez | ABC |
| 1994–1997 | Mixed Nuts: Numero Unong Terrific Show | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 1996–2006 2009–2010 | Wow Mali | Himself/Host | ABC/TV5 |
| 1998–2004 | ASAP | Himself/host | ABS-CBN |
| 1999 | Beh Bote Nga | Tio Pot | GMA Network |
| 1999–2000 | Back to Iskul Bukol | Josemari "Joey" Escalera | IBC |
| 2001 | Korek na Korek Ka Diyan | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2002 | Kiss Muna | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2002–2003 | Sana ay Ikaw na Nga | Dr. Ricardo Peron | GMA Network |
| 2003–2008 | Nuts Entertainment | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2003–2004 | SOP Rules | Himself/Guest co-host | GMA Network |
| 2003–2006 2015 | StarStruck | Himself/Judge | GMA Network |
| 2004–2015 | Startalk | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2004–2011 | Mel and Joey | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2005-2006 | Wow Maling Mali! | Himself/Host | ABC |
| 2005 | Magpakailanman | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2006–2007 | Teka Mona! | Himself/Host |
| 2006 2006–2009 | Takeshi's Castle | Himself/Host | Q GMA Network |
| 2007 | Slingo | Himself/Host | ABC |
| 2008 | Jungle TV | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Joey's Quirky World | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Suwerteng-Suwerte sa Siyete: Spin It! Win It! | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2010–2011 | Wow! Meganon?! | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2010–2011 | House or Not | Himself/Host (as Don Joey) | TV5 |
| 2010 | Suwerteng-Suwerte sa Siyete: Press It! Win It! | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Mind Master | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Big Shot Jackpot | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2011 | Suwerteng-Suwerte sa Siyete: Win Mo, Kapuso! | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break | Himself/Judge | GMA Network |
| 2011–2012 | Celebrity Samurai | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2012 | The Biggest Game Show in the World - Asia | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2012–2013 | Game 'N Go | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2012 | Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break | Himself/Judge | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Hayop sa Galing | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2013–2014 | Sunday All Stars | Himself/Judge | GMA Network |
| 2013–2015 | Wow Mali Pa Rin! | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2014 | Hakbang Sa Pangarap: Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special 2014 | Abe | GMA Network |
| 2014 | One of the Boys | DJ | TV5 |
| 2015 | Wow Mali: Lakas ng Tama | Himself/Host | TV5 |
| 2015 | Pinagpalang Ama: Eat Bulaga Lenten Drama Special 2015 | Papsy | GMA Network |
| 2015–2016 | CelebriTV | Himself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Dalangin ng Ama: Eat Bulaga Lenten Special | Omar | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Kaibigan: Eat Bulaga Lenten Special | Jeff | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Oh No! It's B.O. (Biro Only)! | Himself/Host | Net 25 |

### Voice actor
#### Animation

| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Source |
| 2012 | Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens | Max Tennyson | TV5 | Filipino dub | |

## Albums/songs discography

* TVJ Tough Hits series (12 albums) (Vicor Music Corp.)
* 1990: Joey de Leon Tough Hits 1990 (OctoArts International, now PolyEast Records)
* 1993: JoeyRassic (MCA Music)
* 1999: Mga Pakyuuuut ni Joey de Leon (OctoArts-EMI Music, now PolyEast Records)
* 2003: "Spageti Song" (duet with Sexbomb Girls from the album Round 2) (Sony BMG)
* 2004: "Halukay Ube" (duet with Sexbomb Girls from the album Bomb Thr3at) (Sony BMG)
* 2004: Joey to the World (Sony BMG Music)
* 2007: Joey to the World 2 (Sony BMG Music) (featuring "Itaktak Mo")
* 2008: Kagat Labi (EMI Philippines, now PolyEast Records)

## Awards

| Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Work/Nominee | Result |
| 2008 | 38th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Novelty Singer | Itaktak Mo! | Won |
| 2009 | 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Comedy Actor | Nuts Entertainment | Nominated |
| 2009 | 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Magazine Show Host (with Mel Tiangco) | Mel and Joey | Nominated |
| 2009 | 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Male Showbiz Oriented Talk Show Host | Startalk | Nominated |
| 2010 | 24th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Male TV Host | Eat Bulaga! | Won |
| 2010 | Eastwood City Walk of Fame | Walk of Fame Star Inductee | Himself | Inducted |
| 2011 | Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety Program | Eat Bulaga! | Nominated |
| 2014 | PEP List Awards | Pepsi' Choice: Male Showbiz Treasure of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2015 | 63rd FAMAS Awards | FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award | Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon | Won |
| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| 2000 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award(shared with Tito Sotto and Vic Sotto) | — | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Novelty Recording | "Itaktak Mo" | Won |