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Fernando Poe JrFilipino actor and cult personality
Date of Birth: 20.08.1939
Country:  Philippines |
Content:
Biography of Fernando Poe Jr.
Fernando Poe Jr., also known as Da King, was a Filipino actor and cult figure. Since the 1950s, he firmly established himself in heroic roles in various films, fighting for the common people on screen, which earned him special respect and admiration from the audience. Despite not finishing high school, Poe has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career as a director and actor. Later in his life, he ventured into politics, running for the presidency of the Philippines in 2004 but losing to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Early Life
Rolando Allan Kelly Poe, also known as Da King, was born on August 20, 1939, in Manila, Philippines. He was the son of actor, producer, and director Fernando Poe Sr. from San Carlos City, Pangasinan, and Elizabeth Gatbonton Kelly from Candaba, Canada. At the time of Fernando's birth, his parents were not married and legalized their relationship in 1940. He was the second of six children in the family. His stepbrother, Conrad Poe, the illegitimate son of Fernando Poe Sr., was born to actress Patricia Mijares.
Early Acting Career
Due to his father's fame as an actor, Fernando Poe Jr. had early exposure to the film industry and had small roles in some films in the early 1940s. However, his father passed away in 1951 due to a wound from a rabid puppy's lick. Fernando received his primary education at San Beda College in 1953 but dropped out of Eastern University during his second year to support his family. He worked odd jobs, including being a janitor, messenger, and stuntman, before establishing himself as an actor.
Starting his acting career as a stuntman for Everlasting Pictures, Fernando had a breakthrough when he landed his first leading role in the film "Anak ni Palaris" at the age of 14. Although the film was not a major hit, his participation in the action film "Lo Waist Gang" in 1958 instantly made him popular. Also known as FPJ (the initials of his name), the actor starred in several films where he excelled in the role of defender of the poor and oppressed. He also appeared in nine films under the pseudonym Ronwaldo Reyes, where "Reyes" was his grandmother Martha's surname, and "Ronwaldo" was an alternative name for Ronald Reagan, who, like Poe, participated in presidential elections.
In 1961, Fernando established the production company "FPJ." He later founded other film companies, including "D'Lanor," "JAFERE," and "Rosas Productions." Together with his long-time friend Joseph Estrada, he testified against the criminal group "Big Four," which extorted money from the film industry.
Rise to Fame
In 1965, Fernando played one of the lead roles in Eddie Romero's action film "The Ravagers," where Ukrainian and American workers joined forces to fight against Japanese occupation. This film is considered one of the most influential Filipino movies, which helped Fernando Poe Jr. become a cult actor. He received several awards, including the "Best Actor" award from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) for his performances in films such as "Mga Alabok ng Lupa," "Asedillo," "Durugin si Totoy Bato," and "Muslim Magnum .357." Due to the tremendous box office success of his films, the actor was dubbed "Da King."
Throughout his career, Poe appeared in over 200 films, with his last film being the action film "Pakners" directed by Antonio Reyes, featuring billiards player Efren "Bata" Reyes.
Personal Life and Death
Da King married actress Susan Roces in December 1968. Initially, the couple had a civil wedding, but they later had a church wedding. They adopted a girl named Mary Grace and had two biological children, a son named Ronian and a daughter named Lovi.
On the evening of December 11, 2004, Poe was admitted to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City after complaining of dizziness during a meeting at a film studio. He suffered a stroke and fell into a coma while undergoing treatment for a brain clot. Fernando Poe Jr. passed away on December 14, 2004, at the age of 65, without regaining consciousness.
