:Dante Basco
{{Short description|American actor (born 1975)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dante Basco
| image = Dante Basco by Gage Skidmore cropped.jpg
| caption = Basco in May 2024
| alt = Face of man with dark hair
| birth_name = Dante Roman Basco
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1975|8|29}}
| birth_place = Pittsburg, California, U.S.
| other_names =
| occupation = {{csv|Actor|voice actor}}
| years_active = 1988–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Alice Rehemutula|2023}}
| children = 1
| relatives = Dion Basco (brother)
Ella Jay Basco (niece)
| website =
}}
Dante Roman Basco (born August 29, 1975) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys, in Steven Spielberg's Hook, Dolph in the cult film But I'm a Cheerleader, the lead character Ben Mercado in the independent film The Debut, and for voicing the titular protagonist of American Dragon: Jake Long and Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
His voice acting roles include Zuko's grandson General Iroh II in The Legend of Korra, Quoc Wong in The Proud Family, Jingmei in The Boondocks, Tuck in Generator Rex, Scorpion in Ultimate Spider-Man, and Jai Kell in Star Wars Rebels.
Early life
Basco was born to Filipino parents on August 29, 1975,{{cite web|title=Dante R Basco, Born 08/29/1975|url=http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/dante_r_basco_born_1975_12486180| publisher=California Birth Index| access-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024135351/http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/dante_r_basco_born_1975_12486180|archive-date=24 October 2014|url-status=dead}} in Pittsburg, California, and raised in Cerritos and Paramount, California.{{cite web |last1=Farris |first1=Christopher |title=These Filipinos Are the Voices of Modern Cartoon and Anime Characters |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/movies-and-tv/filipino-voice-actors-a00288-20190211-lfrm2 |website=Esquire |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708091145/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/movies-and-tv/filipino-voice-actors-a00288-20190211-lfrm2 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |date=February 11, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} He has four siblings, including actor Dion Basco.{{cite web|author1=Jermel-Lynn Quillopo|title=Social Encore: Kinetic's perspective|url=http://www.honolulupulse.com/2013/03/social-encore-kinetic-films/|publisher=Honolulu Pulse|access-date=24 October 2014|date=22 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024130956/http://www.honolulupulse.com/2013/03/social-encore-kinetic-films/|archive-date=24 October 2014}} In the mid-1980s, he and his brothers formed a breakdancing crew and worked as street performers.{{cite news |last1=Alter |first1=Ethan |title=Dante Basco reflects on diversity in Hollywood as a child star: 'No one even knew what a Filipino was' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dante-basco-hook-avatar-the-last-airbender-child-actor-are-the-kids-alright-150049635.html |access-date=January 22, 2022 |work=Yahoo Entertainment |date=September 24, 2021}} He attended Orange County High School of the Arts{{cite web|author=Catherine Gewertz|date=December 26, 1992|title=The Fine Art of Fame|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-26-me-2318-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times}} in the Music and Theatre Conservatory and graduated in 1993.
In 1998, Basco co-founded the Da Poetry Lounge, a slam and spoken poetry venue in Hollywood.{{Cite book |last=Yu |first=Timothy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abEfEAAAQBAJ&dq=Dante+basco&pg=PA169 |title=The Cambridge Companion to Twenty-First-Century American Poetry |date=2021-03-11 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-63621-6 |language=en}}
Career
He began his acting career with minor television roles. His breakthrough performance was when he appeared as the leader Rufio of the Lost Boys in Steven Spielberg's 1991 film Hook with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.{{cite web|author1=Gabi Duncan|title=Hook Actor Dante Basco Remembers Robin Williams With Touching Video and Letter|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/568589/hook-actor-dante-basco-remembers-robin-williams-with-touching-video-and-letter|publisher=E!|access-date=24 October 2014|date=12 August 2014}}
In 2017, Basco produced a Kickstarter-funded short film, Bangarang, about the character Rufio. The film was directed by Jonah Feingold.{{cite web|author=Ada Tsend|date=28 June 2017|title=Remember Rufio in 'Hook'? The actor is trying to keep his cult character's legacy alive|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/remember-rufio-in-hook-the-actor-is-trying-to-keep-his-cult-characters-legacy-alive/2017/06/28/65fdf642-5863-11e7-b38e-35fd8e0c288f_story.html|access-date=17 November 2017|website=Washingtonpost.com}}
Basco streams gameplay on Twitch.{{Cite web|last=Oller|first=Jacob|date=2020-07-10|title=Avatar: The Last Airbender's Dante Basco on 'tango' of doing live, audience-driven Twitch show|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/dante-basco-interview-artificial-twitch|access-date=2020-07-29|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en}}
Basco released his memoir From Rufio to Zuko through the independent publisher Not a Cult.
Avatar: Braving the Elements, an official Nickelodeon companion podcast to Avatar: The Last Airbender, premiered on June 22, 2021. Basco and Janet Varney (voice of Korra) host the podcast, which follows them as they rewatch the series, discuss each episode's key moments and behind-the scenes information, and feature special guests.{{Cite web|last=Dar|first=Taimur|date=June 23, 2021|title=INTERVIEW: Janet Varney and Dante Basco talk BRAVING THE ELEMENTS for the Last Airbender Podcast|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-janet-varney-and-dante-basco-avatar-braving-the-elements-for-the-last-airbender-podcast/|url-status=live|access-date=July 12, 2021|website=Comics Beat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623181143/https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-janet-varney-and-dante-basco-avatar-braving-the-elements-for-the-last-airbender-podcast/ |archive-date=2021-06-23 }}
= Voice acting =
File:Dante Basco Aug 2014.jpg 2014.|alt=Man and woman seated at table conversing with adult and youth.]]
Basco has done voice acting for many animated productions, including Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jai Kell in Star Wars Rebels and Jake Long in American Dragon: Jake Long. Additional roles include Kwok Wong in The Proud Family, Matt Martin/Kewl Breeze in the short-lived animated series Zevo-3, and General Iroh in The Legend of Korra.{{cite web|author1=Talia Baugnon|title=Dante Basco talks Hollywood at LMU|url=http://www.laloyolan.com/arts_and_entertainment/dante-basco-talks-hollywood-at-lmu/article_4f2f158c-483e-11e4-8cd3-0017a43b2370.html|publisher=Los Angeles Loyolan|access-date=24 October 2014|date=30 September 2014}}
He contributed additional voices for Aion, Mortal Kombat X, and Saints Row. He also voiced Shingo in the Skate series and Seeing Farther in the Call of Juarez series.{{cite web|author1=Christopher John Farley|title='The Legend of Korra' Creators Preview the Season Finale and as Karate Kid In Justice League Trapped In Time.|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/06/19/the-legend-of-korra-creators-preview-the-finale/|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=24 October 2014|date=19 Jun 2012}}
Personal life
On April 19, 2023, Basco became engaged to filmmaker,{{Cite web |last=sidreddy |date=2020-06-22 |title=Alice Rehemutula {{!}} Filmmaker |url=https://shoutoutla.com/alice-rehemutula-filmmaker/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=SHOUTOUT LA |language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Meet Trailblazer Alice Rehemutula |url=http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-trailblazer-alice-rehemutula/ |website=VoyageLA |date=3 September 2019 |access-date=10 July 2023|lang=en-US}} actress and television host Alice Rehemutula.{{Cite web |last=Basco |first=Dante |date=2023-04-20 |title=Look what went down in #Paris… We got engaged!!! 💍 I really got to surprise her in the city of love! #eiffeltower 4/19/2023 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CrQCZtOOQNU/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=www.instagram.com}}{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Lauren |date=2021-10-23 |title=Dante Basco Played Rufio In "Hook." See Him Now At 46. |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dante-basco-played-rufio-hook-141117761.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}} They married in September 2023 in China. In May 2024, Rehemutula announced her pregnancy with their first child, a son named Dunya Royale, who was born on October 21 of the same year.{{Cite web |last=Rehemutula |first=Alice |date=2023-09-16 |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxP6kCsO16M/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=www.instagram.com}}
Filmography
{{BLP sources|section|date= January 2025}}
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1990
| Chinese Boy | |
| 1991
| Jimmy Ho | |
| 1991
| Hook | Rufio | |
| 1995
| Additional Voices | |
| 1995
| Bat | Direct-to-video |
| 1997
| Julian Lee | |
| 1999
| Dolph | |
| 2000
| Ben Mercado | |
| 2001
| Corey Ng | |
| 2003
| Spoken Word Artist | |
| 2003
| "Philly" | |
| 2006
| Ramos | |
| 2008
| Gerard | |
| 2009
| "Pinball" | Direct-to-video |
| 2011
| Nicky | |
| 2014 |
| 2014
| Filipino Striker | |
| 2014
| Gangly Asian | |
| 2014
| D. Phillips | |
| 2016
| Blake | |
| 2019
| Franklin | |
| 2021
| The Fabulous Filipino Brothers | Douglas "Duke" Abasta | Also director |
| 2021
| Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild | Aiden | Voice{{cite web |last=Schuhart |first=Jonah |date=July 16, 2021 |title=Netflix's Trailer For Monster Hunter: Legends Of The Guild Teases Monstrous Action |url=https://www.looper.com/463383/netflixs-trailer-for-monster-hunter-legends-of-the-guild-teases-monstrous-action/ |access-date=July 16, 2021 |website=Looper}} |
| 2026
| The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender | Zuko | Filming; Voice |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1988
| Eddie, Kid #3 | 2 episodes |
| 1988
| Amado | 4 episodes |
| 1988
| Dare to Say No | Asian Kid | Educational short film for EPCOT |
| 1989
| Luis | Episode: "15 and Getting Straight" |
| 1989
| "Champ" Hopkins | Episode: "Choices" |
| 1989
| Booker | Ping Pong | Episode: "Razing Arrizola" |
| 1990
| Manko | Episode: "Kid Kop" |
| 1990
| Kid (uncredited) | |
| 1993
| Raven | Lucas | Episode: "The Journey" |
| 1993–1994
| Sammy | 2 episodes |
| 1995
| Additional Voices | 3 episodes |
| 1995
| Kevin | Episode: "Cold Feet, Hot Body" |
| 1995
| Trash #2 | Television film |
| 1996
| Jimmy Chang | Episode: "Home Invasion" |
| 1997
| Riot{{cite web|author1=Terry Kelleher|title=Picks and Pans Review: Riot|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20121919,00.html|work=People|access-date=24 October 2014|date=29 April 1997|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035312/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20121919,00.html|url-status=dead}} | Jeff Lee | Television film |
| 1996
| Robbie Hawkins | Episode: "Random Acts" |
| 1998
| Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction | Rudy Hernandez | Episode: "Bright Lights/Magic Mightyman/The Student/Scribbles/County Mystery" |
| 1998
| Moesha | Marco | 4 episodes |
| 1998
| Tito | Episode: "Out of Bounds" |
| 1999
| Viper | Rishi Lama | Episode: "Holy Terror" |
| 1999
| Jake | 5 episodes |
| 2000
| Lee | Episode: "Guess Who's Not Coming to Counseling" |
| 2001
| Kitty Bobo | Voice, pilot |
| 2001
| "Noodles" | Episode: "Here There Be Dragons" |
| 2002
| Justin Kim | Episode: "All the King's Men" |
| 2002
| Quoc Wong | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2003
| Fukushima | Voice, episode: "Exchange" |
| 2004
| Filipino, Man #3 |
| 2004
| Phil | 4 episodes |
| 2005–2007
| rowspan="2" | Jake Long | Voice, main role |
| 2005
| Voice, episode: "Morpholomew" |
| 2005–2008 |
| 2006
| Fukijama | Episode: "What About Bob?" |
| 2007
| The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Madrid | 2 episodes |
| 2009
|Bully's Friend #2 |Episode: "Comparative Religion" (uncredited) |
| 2010
| Jingmei | Voice, episode: "The Red Ball" |
| 2010
| "June Bug" | Episode: "Jane Wayne" |
| 2010
| Zevo-3 | Matt Martin / Kewl Breeze |
| 2010
| Kenny Rogers |
| 2010
| Ruben Franco | Episode: "Happy Birthday" |
| 2010–2012
| Tuck |
| 2011
| Bounce | Episode: "Carnivorous Sheep" |
| 2012
| Nicky Chang | Episode: "Pu'olo (The Package)" |
| 2012–2014
| General Iroh |
| 2013
| Scorpion |
| 2014
| Jai Kell |
| 2018
| Cory | 2 episodes |
| 2019
| Cheddar | Voice, episode: "Baby Orphan Ninja Bears" |
| 2019
| The Rabbit | Episode: "The Rabbit" |
| 2019–2020
| Javier |
| 2020
| Spinkick | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2021
| Trese | Bagyon Kulimlim |
| 2021
| Squall Leonhart, Looky Loo, Zuko | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2022
| Ignatius | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2023
| Himself | Season 2, Episode 4: “By Hook or by Crook” |
| 2023
| Jace Vargas | Season 2, Recurring Role |
| 2024
| Himself | Season 9, Episode 12 |
| 2024
| Zym / Azymondias | Season 7, Episode 9 |
=Web series=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2014–2019
| Himself | 6 episodes |
| 2016–2019
| Billy "Snake" Niksslip | Voice |
| 2018–2020
| Star Wars: Galaxy of AdventuresList of Star Wars television series#Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures (2018%E2%80%93present) | The Narrator | Voice |
| 2020
| Let's Read Homestuck | Rufioh Nitram | Voice, episode: "Act 6 Intermission 3 - Part 7" (The character of Rufioh Nitram is based on Dante Basco's previous role as Rufio in Hook) |
| 2020
| Zuko | Voice, episode: "Zuko VS Shoto Todoroki (Avatar vs My Hero Academia)"{{cite web |title=DEATH BATTLE! Zuko VS Shoto Todoroki (Avatar VS My Hero Academia) |url=https://roosterteeth.com/watch/death-battle-season-7-8-23 |website=Rooster Teeth |access-date=24 August 2020}} |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role |
| 2006
| Stilwater's Residents |
| 2006
| Sees Farther |
| 2006
| Scarface: The World Is Yours | Additional Voices |
| 2006 |
| 2007
| Skate | Shingo |
| 2007 |
| 2008 |
| 2008
| Aion | Additional Voices |
| 2009 |
| 2009
| Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood | Seeing Farther |
| 2009
| Skate 2 | Shingo |
| 2010 |
| 2010
| Skate 3 | Shingo |
| 2011 |
| {{dts|2015|04|14|format=y}} |
| 2025
| Date Everything! |
Awards
- Young Artist Award – Hook
- Won – Best Ensemble Cast
- Nominated – Best Young Actor
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{Tumblr}}
- {{Twitch}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Basco, Dante}}
Category:Actual play performers
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male child actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American male video game actors
Category:American male actors of Filipino descent
Category:People from Pittsburg, California
Category:20th-century American male actors