Dante Varona

Dante Varona (born 1953) is a former Filipino actor, stuntman and film director. He is considered one of the more famous action stars of the 1970s and 1980s. One of his famous stunts involved jumping from the San Juanico Bridge in Hari ng Stunt (King of Stunts). This gave him the title of "King of Stunts".

Early life Varona grew up in Boystown in Marikina, where children were voluntarily surrendered. According to him, his parents couldn't take of him so they left him at the care of Boystown. There, he graduated elementary and high school. Once he graduated, he reunited with his parents. He also signed a contract with Tower Productions. He then got to act with Gloria Diaz in a leading role in Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala. In 1981, Varona jumped the San Juanico Bridge for a scene in "Hari ng Stunt" without a harness.

Varona returned to the Philippines in 1996. With the help of his stuntman friend Lito Lapid, who was also the governor of Pampanga at the time, he booked a role in Tapatan ng Tapang, which also starred Lapid. After that, he returned to his life in the United States, this time taking a job as a security guard. There, he raised his family and now helps raise his grandchildren.

Varona is now retired from the entertainment industry and currently resides in California.

Filmography Year Title Notes 2000 Ako ang Lalagot sa Hininga Mo Final film 1999 Ratratan Final directorial film Also director 1988 Rebelyon 1988 The Brown Ninja 1987 Kamandag ng Kris 1986 Bangkay Mo Akong Hahakbangin Also director 1986 Bukas... Uulan ng Bala 1985 Grease Gun Brothers 1985 Ulo ng Gang-Ho 1985 Siklab sa Lupa ng Araw 1985 Anino ni David Crusado 1984 Padre Hudas 1984 Bitag 1984 Ubusan ng Lahi 1984 Moises ang Sugo 1984 Raging Anger Director 1983 Ganti 1983 Heroes Hill 1983 Pugante 1983 Rebelde ng Mindanao 1983 Lintik Lang ang Walang Ganti 1983 Wanted: Turong Ahas 1983 Commandos 1982 Hinahamon Kita 1982 Lakas Kapwa Lakas 1982 Berdugo 1982 Isinusumpa Ko 1982 Sabayan 1982 Mga Hayop sa Paraiso 1981 Indio 1981 Dos Bravos 1981 Ben Gatilyo 1981 Cleopatra Wong 1981 Nagbabagang Lupa, Nagbabagang Araw 1981 Agent 00 1981 Asal Hayop 1981 Kalabang Mortal 1981 Commander Lawin 1981 Landong Kabal 1981 Bertong Barako 1981 Ang Taong Bundok 1981 Ermitanyo 1981 Hari ng StuntFeatured San Juanico Bridge stunt 1980 Carding Estrabel: Tirador ng Malabon 1980 Estibador 1980 Sagisag ng Batingaw 1980 Kung Tawagin Siya'y BathalaLead role 1980 Kosa 1979 Ang Sisiw ay Isang AgilaCameo 1979 Objective 2400 1979 Tonyong Bayawak 1979 Pag-ibig at Kagitingan 1979 Dakpin... Killers for Hire 1979 Scout Ranger 1978 Shanghai Joe 1977 Gulapa 1977 Mga Dragon sa Gubat 1977 Phandora 1977 Tao Ikaw Ba ang Gumaga sa Daigdig? 1977 Alas Tres ng Hapon... Lumuhod ang Maton 1977 Trinidad Is My Name 1977 Walang Bakas na Naiiwan 1976 Pagbabalik ng Apat na Alas 1976 Ang Lihim ni Rosa Henson sa Buhay ni Kumander Lawin 1976 Isang Pag-ibig, Isang Pangarap, at Isang Bulaklak 1976 Silang Matatapang 1975 Hell-0 400 Hour 1975 Diwang Kayumanggi, Prinsesang Mandirigma 1975 Nasa Lupa ang Langit at Impiyerno 1975 Nagbabagang Silangan 1975 Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa 1975 Anong Lahi Mayroon si Adan 1975 Silakbo 1974 Durugin ang mga Diyablo sa Punta Fuego 1974 No Tears for the Brave 1974 Angkan ni Watari 1973 Dimas-Guerrero 1973 Pugante: Numero 3-11 1973 Leon Dimasupil 1973 Alyas Blackie 1972 Walang Impiyerno sa Matatapang 1971 Sa Kamay ng Tatlong Takas 1971 Almorciga 1971 Digmaan ng mga Pasiklab 1971 Ipaubaya sa Langit 1971 Malupit na Tadhana 1971 Luray 1971 Ang Pangalan Ko'y Luray 1970 Usapang Lalake 1970 The Champion and the Saboteurs 1970 Silang Tatlo 1970 The Singer and the Bouncer 1970 The Black Roses 1970 Hiwaga ng Lagim 1970 Ang Matitinik 1970 Inside Job 1970 The Bold and the Beauties 1970 Master Stuntman 1970 Queen of the Wild Bunch 1970 Igorota Squad 1970 Wild, Wild Pussycat 1969 Men of Action Meet Women of Dracula 1969 Ponso Villa and the Sexy Mexicanas 1969 Zoom-Zoom Apollo 1969 Kill: The Magnificent Agents 1969 Kuwatro 1969 Born to Be Wild 1968 Chaku-Judo Aikido 1968 Magnificent Siete Bandidas Debut