Dolphy is a Filipino actor and comedian who has received awards and nominations for his work in film and television. He began his career as a vaudevillian and worked on radio from mid to late 1940s. He branched into acting on screen in the early 1950s, where he played minor roles until his breakthrough in the comedy film Jack en Jill (1954). Dolphy received his first FAMAS Award for Best Actor nomination for his role in Kung Ano ang Puno Siya ang Bunga (1967) and later received two more consecutively for his performances in Artista ang Aking Asawa (1968) and Pag-ibig Masdan ang Ginawa Mo (1969).
For his portrayal of an ageing scientist in the fantasy comedy Omeng Satanasia (1977), he earned his first FAMAS Award for Best Actor. Dolphy was named Box Office King four times from 1970s to 1980s and received four Star Award for Best Comedy Actor; one for John en Marsha, and three for Home Along Da Riles. In 1990, he played a mentally challenged outcast in the action comedy Espadang Patpat, for which he was awarded the Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Actor. For his portrayal of an abused gay man during the Japanese occupation in the coming-of-age drama ' (2000), he was awarded both Best Actor and Best Actress at the Brussels International Film Festival. He continued to earn accolades in his later years. His special participation in the period drama Rosario (2010) earned him a Luna Award for Best Supporting Actor. For his final film role where he played an unconventional priest in the comedy drama Father Jejemon (2010), he was awarded Best Actor at Luna Awards and Metro Manila Film Festival.
Throughout his career that spanned over six decades, Dolphy has received a number of honorary accolades. He was conferred the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart in 2010 for his philanthropic works and contributions to Philippine entertainment. In 1999, the Cultural Center of the Philippines included him on their list of the 100 Filipinos who have contributed to building the nation through art and culture in the 20th century. The Luna Awards in 1992, Gawad Urian in 1998 and Metro Manila Film Festival in 2009 honored him the Lifetime Achievement Award.