Reyes was first introduced as a child actor in the movie Eskinita 29 in 1968, then later he became an action star in the 1980s, and then took roles as either a main villain or as a supporting character from 1989 up to the present in Philippine films and television series.
He is a fourth generation artist being the son of the late actor, writer, director and film producer Efren Reyes Sr. and actress Virginia Montes.
[3] Reyes then played villain roles for three straight films in Tatak ng Isang Api, Delima Gang, and Huminga Ka Hangga't Gusto Mo.
[7] In 2001, Reyes Jr. played the villain alongside Dick Israel in the film Carta Alas: Huwag Ka Nang Humirit.
[17] A year later, he joined other actors including Susan Roces (the widow of Poe Jr.), Gladys Guevarra, Richard Gomez and more in a rally calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.