He is widely regarded as the country's "King of Comedy" for his comedic talent embodied by his long roster of works on stage, radio, television and movies.

[5] His father, Melencio Espinosa Quizon (December 1, 1899 – May 14, 1971),[6] was a ship engine worker from Bulacan stationed in the Atlantic Gulf.

He did odd jobs including shining shoes, attaching buttons at a pants factory, sorting bottles by size, working as a stevedore at the pier, trading, and driving a calesa.

His favorite performers included the comedy duo Pugo and Togo and the dancers Benny Mack and Bayani Casimiro.

[citation needed] He starred in his first film when he was 19 with Fernando Poe Sr. in Dugo at Bayan (I Remember Bataan), billed as “Rodolfo Quizon”.

He joined the program Wag Naman, which starred Pancho Magalona, Tessie Quintana, and Baby Jane.

[citation needed] Magalona recommended Dolphy to José Roxas Perez, the owner of Sampaguita Pictures, in 1952.

[citation needed] Dolphy acted in the comic book adaptation Jack en Jill with Rogelio de la Rosa and Lolita Rodriguez in 1954.

[additional citation(s) needed] Dolphy said the movie established him as an actor, because he played a gay character, when they were not recognized.

In 1964, he played the lead in Captain Barbell[14] and in Daigdig ng Fantasia (Fantasy World) with Nova Villa.

He started with a film adaptation of the sitcom Buhay Artista (Actor's Life), a box office success.

Boots Anson-Roa and Helen Gamboa were considered for the role of Marsha, his wife in the show before Nida Blanca, who was doing Wala Kang Paki with Nestor de Villa, eventually got the part.

In 1978, he returned to gay roles in the movie Ang Tatay Kong Nanay (My Father that is also a Mother), directed by respected Lino Brocka.

[22] His next successful TV venture after John en Marsha was Home Along Da Riles in 1992 with Nova Villa, as his wife and real son Vandolph, as one of his children.

Bibeth Orteza was commissioned to complete the book, amid the creation of "Dolphy Aid Para sa Pinoy Foundation, Inc.", a non-profit and non-stock organization.

The film also featured stars Carmi Martin, Riza Santos, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Ricky Davao and more.

In 2010, Dolphy played a priest in his last movie in Father Jejemon, with his co-stars Cherrie Gil, Roy Alvarez, Maja Salvador, EJ Falcon, singer Ralph Salazar & YouTube singing duo Moymoy Palaboy.

That same year, President Benigno Aquino III said he believes the late Comedy King deserves to be conferred the National Artist award but stressed he cannot shortcut the process for legal reasons.

After his death, on July 13, 2012, President Aquino declared a "National Day of Remembrance" in honor of Dolphy's contributions to the Philippine showbiz industry.

[28] During his wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig, fellow actor and former Philippine President Joseph Estrada bestowed the 2012 People's Artist Award on him to recognize Quizon's many contributions to the movie industry.

[29] On November 23, 2013, Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) released a limited edition "Dolphy Stamp", and first day cover.

[34] Araneta also noted that Dolphy grew up in Manila, where he began his showbiz career as a dancer at the Avenue, Lyric and Orient theaters.

[43][44] After Poe had suffered a stroke (which would later claim his life), Quizon visited him during his confinement and assured him and his wife, Susan Roces, that he indeed had won the presidential race, despite losing it to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

[46][47][48][49] While several of Dolphy's relatives were buried at the Quizon Family mausoleum in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina (which includes his parents, Salud and Melencio; his siblings Melencio Jr. and Teresita; his son Wilfredo; and another relative, Orlando Gallardo), he himself was buried elsewhere, at The Heritage Park in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

National Honor He is also the only artist in the country awarded with Best Actor and Actress for a single role in the film Markova: The Comfort Gay.