Max Alvarado
Encyclopedia
Max Alvarado was a FAMAS award-winning Filipino
film actor
known mainly by his portrayals of villain
s in a career that spanned 6 decades.
, as well as an itinerant manual laborer
.
Alvarado broke into films in 1948 as a bit player
in Halik sa Bandila. Soon after, he was frequently cast as a villain in films produced by Premiere Production and its sister company, the Larry Santiago Production, as well as People's Pictures. He first gained critical notice in the 1953 film Ang Sawa Sa Lumang Simboryo directed by Gerry de Leon. For that role, he garnered a FAMAS Best Supporting Actor nomination. Ultimately, Alvarado was nominated for 5 FAMAS Best Supporting Actor nominations, winning the trophy in 1971 for Ang Kampana ng Sta. Quiteria.
Alvarado was also nominated for a FAMAS Best Actor award in 1968 for Tatak Sakramentos. Beginning in 1967 with Alyas Chain Gang, Alvarado was cast in leading and supporting roles even as a romantic lead, despite his swarthy and somewhat villainous appearance. Alvarado also showcased his versatility by sometimes playing gay roles, such as in the 1978 film Gorgonia as well as Non-Villain or supporting Roles.
As a villain, Alvarado was frequently cast opposite the heroic roles of Fernando Poe Jr., although he has also portrayed a supporting ally to the latter in films such as "Walang Matigas na Tinapay sa Mainit na Kape" alongside Paquito Diaz, also in a non-antagonist role which also starred former child star Vandolph, and fellow villain actor Paquito's younger brother Romy Diaz as the main antagonist. Among his best remembered parts in that vein was as Lizardo, the arch-enemy of the Panday
character portrayed by Poe.
Towards the end of his life, Alvarado became a commercial spokesperson for Maxx candy, a popular rock candy eponymous to his own screen name. He died from heart failure in 1997.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
film actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
known mainly by his portrayals of villain
Villain
A villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
s in a career that spanned 6 decades.
Biography
Max Alvarado was born as Gavino Maximo Teodosio in Manila. In his youth, he was a member of street gangsGang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
, as well as an itinerant manual laborer
Laborer
A Laborer or labourer - see variation in english spelling - is one of the construction trades, traditionally considered unskilled manual labor, as opposed to skilled labor. In the division of labor, laborers have all blasting, hand tools, power tools, air tools, and small heavy equipment, and act...
.
Alvarado broke into films in 1948 as a bit player
Bit part
A bit part is a supporting acting role with at least one line of dialogue . In British television, bit parts are referred to as under sixes...
in Halik sa Bandila. Soon after, he was frequently cast as a villain in films produced by Premiere Production and its sister company, the Larry Santiago Production, as well as People's Pictures. He first gained critical notice in the 1953 film Ang Sawa Sa Lumang Simboryo directed by Gerry de Leon. For that role, he garnered a FAMAS Best Supporting Actor nomination. Ultimately, Alvarado was nominated for 5 FAMAS Best Supporting Actor nominations, winning the trophy in 1971 for Ang Kampana ng Sta. Quiteria.
Alvarado was also nominated for a FAMAS Best Actor award in 1968 for Tatak Sakramentos. Beginning in 1967 with Alyas Chain Gang, Alvarado was cast in leading and supporting roles even as a romantic lead, despite his swarthy and somewhat villainous appearance. Alvarado also showcased his versatility by sometimes playing gay roles, such as in the 1978 film Gorgonia as well as Non-Villain or supporting Roles.
As a villain, Alvarado was frequently cast opposite the heroic roles of Fernando Poe Jr., although he has also portrayed a supporting ally to the latter in films such as "Walang Matigas na Tinapay sa Mainit na Kape" alongside Paquito Diaz, also in a non-antagonist role which also starred former child star Vandolph, and fellow villain actor Paquito's younger brother Romy Diaz as the main antagonist. Among his best remembered parts in that vein was as Lizardo, the arch-enemy of the Panday
Panday
Panday or Ang Panday may refer to:* Panday , a Philippine comics character created by Carlo J. Caparas* Panday , a Filipino comics character...
character portrayed by Poe.
Towards the end of his life, Alvarado became a commercial spokesperson for Maxx candy, a popular rock candy eponymous to his own screen name. He died from heart failure in 1997.
Selected filmography
- 1949 -Kayumangi [Premiere]
- 1949 -Halik sa Bandila [Premiere]
- 1951 -Sisa [Premiere]
- 1952 -Sandino [Manuel Vistan Jr.]
- 1952 -Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo [Premiere]
- 1955 -Dakilang Hudas [People's]
- 1955 -7 Maria [Larry Santiago]
- 1956 -Desperado [People's]
- 1956 -Lo-Waist Gang [Larry Santiago]
- 1956 -Huling Mandirigma [People's]
- 1956 -Mrs. Jose Romulo [Larry Santiago]
- 1957 -Maskara [Premiere]
- 1957 -Kamay ni Cain [People's]
- 1957 -Bicol Express [Premiere]
- 1957 -Kalibre .45 [Premiere]
- 1957 -Pusakal [People's]
- 1958 -Pepeng Kaliwete [Premiere]
- 1958 -Sta. Rita de Casia [Premiere]
- 1958 -Mga Liham kay Tia Dely [Larry Santiago]
- 1958 -Jeepney Rock [Spotlight]
- 1958 -Glory at Dawn [PMP]
- 1958 -4 na Pulubi [Larry Santiago]
- 1961 -The Moises Padilla StoryThe Moises Padilla StoryThe Moises Padilla Story is a 1961 Philippine drama film directed by Gerardo de León. The film was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 34th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee...
- 1980 -Ang Panday
- 1981 -Darna at Ding