[2] He was born to the late film director Artemio Marquez Sr. and Teresita Esguera Perez.
Before embarking on a career as an actor-comedian, Marquez played for Presto Fun Drinks, later known as the Great Taste Coffee Makers, from 1981 to 1983 before moving to Gilbey's Gin Tonics, which would later be popularly known as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, under player-coach Robert Jaworski beginning the 1984 season.
He played briefly for Hills Bros. Coffee Kings in 1987 before leaving the game for good to become a full-time actor.
[6] Marquez was one of the 1987 cast of seven in Palibhasa Lalake, the sitcom on Philippine television spanning 12 years, with Richard Gomez, Gloria Romero, Cynthia Patag, Amy Perez, Carmina Villarroel, and Apa Ongpin.
Marquez was included in the S-Files roster of hosts after he successfully pinch-hit for Paolo Bediones when Paolo went to the US to interview some famous Hollywood celebrities to be featured on the show.