- List of actors who took on risky roles.
- A character with mental health issues is one of the challenging roles to portray.
- Names like Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual, Jennylyn Mercado, Miguel Tanfelix, John Lloyd Cruz, Kris Bernal, Ken Chan, Arjo Atayde are just among the names who bravely did the mentally-challenged characters.
One of the many challenging roles that an actor may portray is to assume a role of a mentally-challenged character. Some artists have showcased their acting skills by taking on this risky role and some even did impressive work and boosted their careers on the industry.
Accordingly, Mental Retardation or Intellectual Disability is a subaverage intellectual ability equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70 that is accompanied by significant deficits in abilities (as in communication or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning, is usually present from birth or infancy, and is manifested especially by delayed or abnormal development, by learning difficulties, and by problems in social adjustment.
Few of the talented stars who already portrayed such role were Gerald Anderson in Budoy (2011), then Piolo Pascual in the romantic film 24/7 in Love (2012), Jennylyn Mercado in Rhodora X (2014), Miguel Tanfelix in Niño (2014), John Lloyd Cruz in The Trial (2014), Kris Bernal in Little Nanay (2015) and currently showing in our television screens are actors Ken Chan playing as Boyet in My Special Tatay (2018) and Arjo Atayde as Elai in The Generals Daughter (2019).
Gerald Anderson.
Anderson a homegrown talent from the Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition revealed his flexible acting skills when he portrayed as Budoy. He tackled the role of ‘special’ man who will go through life’s trials, social issues and relationships together with his family.
Piolo Pascual.
The seasoned actor Pascual also played this kind of role in the romantic comedy film 24/7 in Love. The film is an anthology where several characters are involved in various crazy antics for love’s sake. One of the love stories was about the 35-year-old man who has an intellectual disability named Pipo (Pascual. He helped the orphan child Jomar (Zaijan Jaranilla) who is trying to court Ayie (Xyriel Manabat).
Jennylyn Mercado.
The Ultimate Star Mercado tackled the psychological drama thriller Rhodora X, a rivalry story between two sisters. She is a woman who has been abused as a child after being abducted, hence developing a Dissociative Identity Disorder. She characterized multiple personalities in one body as she played Rhodora, Baby, Roxanne and Rowena all at the same time.
Miguel Tanfelix.
The heartwarming drama series Niño featured the teen star Tanfelix, he plays a 15-year old boy with mental incapacities who will become a guiding light of hope and inspiration to the people in Barrio Pag-asa and prove that miracles exist with the help of his “Tukayo,” a Sto. Niño incarnate to be played by child star David Remo.
John Lloyd Cruz.
Cruz was hailed as one of the Most Powerful Celebrity and proved that title in his family-drama film that revolves around the story of Ronald (Cruz), a mentally challenged man was put into trial after allegedly raping his teacher Bessy (Jessy Mendiola). Ronald together with Amanda (Gretchen Barretto) and Julian (Richard Gomez) will try to mount a convincing defense, and soon they discover that they’re all connected in more ways than just the case.
Kris Bernal.
The known Starstruck winner Bernal has played the role of Tinay in the series Little Nanay, a story about a young woman who has mental disability where at a young age got pregnant. Having an intellectual disability (ID) with a mind of a 7-year old child, her family will be her support system and protection against the harsh world outside home.
Ken Chan.
The rising star Chan is currently playing Boyet in My Special Tatay. He is a young man who has mild intellectual disability and lives a quiet life with his mother, but more challenges comes his way when he impregnated Aubrey (Rita Daniela). Despite his mental state, he will take his journey on being a special father by taking care of his son.
Arjo Atayde.
Lastly, Arjo Atayde is an actor born in a family of artists. He showcased his skills in the The General’s Daughter where he plays the character of Elai a mentally handicapped man and the son of Isabel Sarmiento (Maricel Soriano). He falls for Rhian D. Bonifacio (Angel Locsin).
Taking up risky roles is a great deal of challenge that needs enough knowledge and mastery in order to be effective. These stars just made it look easy as they effortlessly acted out their roles and showcased their talents actors who can be versatile.
