‘Zuma’ actor Max Laurel passes away at 71

SCREENGRAB from YouTube

Max Laurel, the exceptional actor who played the popular Filipino comic character Zuma, passed away on Saturday due to cardiac arrest. He was 71.

Laurel, a robust bodybuilder, portrayed Zuma in the movies Zuma (1985) and Anak ni Zuma (1987), together with Snooky Serna, who was his on-screen daughter Galema. In the movie, Zuma was a serpent demigod and son of Aztec god Kukulkan.

He was also a consistent antagonist in several actions films, such as Durugin Si Totoy Bato (1979), Ang Panday (1980), Ang Maestro (1981), Tatlong Baraha (1981), D’ Wild Wild Weng (1982), Mad Warrior (1984), Sgt. Clarin: Bala Para Sa Ulo Mo (1990), Lucio Margallo (1992), Dugo ng Panday (1993), Aguinaldo (1993), Asero (1995), at Bitag (1996).

His final appearances were in the films Oki Doki Dok and Bagamundo in 1997.

According to Pep.ph, Laurel’s remains are currently at La Funeraria Paz in Quezon City and will be buried at the La Loma Cemetery, Caloocan City tomorrow, Friday. Gianna Francesca Catolico