Efren Reyes Jr.


Efren Montes Reyes Jr. is a Filipino actor known for his roles in action films. The son of Efren Reyes Sr., he is also a writer and director.
Reyes was first introduced as a child actor in the movie Eskinita 29 in 1968, then later he became an action star in the 1980s, and then took roles as either a main villain or as a supporting character from 1989 up to the present in Philippine films and television series.

Early life

Reyes was born on June 25, 1961, in Baguio. He is a fourth generation artist being the son of the late actor, writer, director and film producer Efren Reyes Sr. and actress Virginia Montes. He is the brother of actress, Cristina Reyes. He is the nephew of actors Johnny Reyes and Tessie Quintana, the grandson of writer Pedrito Reyes, and is the great grandson of playwright Severino Reyes who is also known as "Lola Basyang" and is called "the Father of Philippine Sarsuela". His cousin, James Reyes, was a successful fashion designer.

Career

Reyes portrays a lead role in an action films of early 1980's such for Siga, Anak ng Maton, Maskarado and Pepeng Karbin. he works for his team up with Jess Lapid Jr. in Kaliwete Brothers, with Vic Vargas in Utol, with Bembol Roco and Tony Ferrer in Over My Dead Body, Roy Flores in Digmaan Sa Pagitan ng Langit at Lupa, Ramon Zamora and Mohammed Faisal in Operation: Central Luzon and Rhene Imperial and Bembol Roco in Sigue Sigue Brothers. In his last lead roles in an action films Tapos na ang Lahi Mo, Hadji Djakiri in 1990 and Nestor Solis, Hari ng Oxo in 1995.
Then he played villain roles for four straight films in Isusumpa Mo Ang Araw Nang Isilang Ka, Tatak ng Isang Api, Delima Gang, and Huminga Ka Hangga't Gusto Mo. As not to be typecast as a villain, he took the lead role in the film Emong Mercenario.
In 1994, he also starred in Tapang Kung Tapang which was led by Lito Lapid and Cynthia Luster and in the comedy Megamol. In 1998, he played Princess Punzalan's husband in the series Mula Sa Puso.
In 2001, Reyes Jr. played the villain alongside Dick Israel in the film Carta Alas: Huwag Ka Nang Humirit. In 2002, he joined the cast of the series Bituin which starred Nora Aunor. In 2008, he joined the cast of MMFF entry Anak ng Kumander.
In 2012, Reyes Jr. played Faruq Ghazi, a rival clan head in the action film Muslim Magnum.357: To Serve and Protect, a remake of the 1986 film Muslim.357. In 2016, he joined the cast of the series Tubig at Langis, the remake of the 1980 film of the same name. He also appeared in the action series Ang Probinsyano along with other former action stars. He then played Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the biopic Bato (The General Ronald dela Rosa Story). In 2020, Reyes Jr. joined the cast of the superhero series Bella Bandida.
In 2024, Reyes wrote and directed the biographical film Idol: The April Boy Regino Story.

Political views

In 2004, Reyes Jr. supported Fernando Poe Jr.'s presidential campaign. A year later, he joined other actors including Susan Roces, Gladys Guevarra, Richard Gomez and more in a rally calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Filmography

Film

As an actor

As writer

  • Sa Iyo ang Itaas, sa Akin ang Ibaba ng Bahay
  • Tatapatan Ko ang Lakas Mo
  • ''Pasasabugin Ko ang Mundo Mo''

As director

Television