Dolly de Leon, born on April twelfth, nineteen sixty-nine, is a celebrated Filipino actress renowned for her compelling performances in independent films and theater. After honing her craft at the University of the Philippines Diliman, she graced the stage with notable roles in productions such as The Merchant of Venice, Waiting for Godot, Old Times, and Medea. Her film career began with a debut in Peque Gallaga's horror anthology Shake, Rattle & Roll III in nineteen ninety-one, where she initially took on small and uncredited roles throughout the nineties and early two-thousands.
De Leon's breakthrough came in two thousand nineteen with the crime drama Verdict, earning her a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued to impress audiences with her portrayal of an aging sex worker in Lav Diaz's period drama History of Ha in two thousand twenty-one, which garnered positive reviews. Her versatility was further showcased in Erik Matti's HBO projects On the Job and Folklore, where she took on more assertive roles.
International acclaim followed her performance as a toilet cleaner on a luxury yacht in Ruben Östlund's satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness, released in two thousand twenty-two. This role not only won her the Guldbagge Award and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Performance but also made her the first Filipino to receive nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award in any category. De Leon's recent work includes starring in the adult animated drama The Missing in two thousand twenty-three, for which she won a Cinemalaya Award for Best Supporting Actress, and upcoming comedy dramas Between the Temples and Ghostlight in two thousand twenty-four.
Beyond her acting career, De Leon is a co-founder of Ladies Who Launch, a social services group dedicated to supporting disadvantaged communities, showcasing her commitment to social causes.