Contis was born to an Italian father and a Filipino mother. He was a popular
child actor who appeared in several films during the mid-1990s. Despite being cast in the popular drama series
Mara Clara, Contis is better known for being part of kids-oriented program
Ang TV, and the primetime sitcom
Oki Doki Doc. In his teenage years, he was launched as a member of Star Circle (now
Star Magic) Batch 3 in 1996. Contis rose to fame for his appearance in the youth-oriented teen drama
Tabing Ilog. Contis moved to
GMA Network in 2004. He ventured into more mature roles and played supporting and comical roles in numerous GMA dramas and shows, and has also found his
niche in portraying antagonist roles. In 2008, Contis won at the 24th PMPC Star Award for Movies as "
Best Actor" for the movie
Banal, directed by GMA reporter Cesar Apolinario. In August 2009, Contis played the role of Kobra, Valentina's father, in the fantasy series
Darna. This was the second time that Contis has worked with actress
Marian Rivera (the two previously worked together in
Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang). Contis and Rivera worked together for the third time in the TV sitcom
Show Me Da Manny, co-starring with
Benjie Paras,
Lovi Poe, and
Ogie Alcasid. Contis also hosted the defunct comedy reality show
Wipeout: Matira Ang Matibay, his ninth comedy show in his television career and his fourth GMA comedy program. He was also cast in the drama series
Little Star, marking his return to dramatic roles. He also took guest-hosting in the game show
Press It, Win It when original host
Joey de Leon took a temporary leave of absence; De Leon later returned to host the show. In 2010, Contis returned to doing reality shows through
Puso ng Pasko: Artista Challenge, GMA's first Christmas reality show. In 2011, Contis worked in two drama series
Machete and
Futbolilits. He also took hosting duties in the game show
Manny Many Prizes (with boxing champion
Manny Pacquiao) and the talent show
I-Shine: Talent Camp TV (with co-host
Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and child actress
Jillian Ward). In 2012, he starred in
My Beloved and
Aso ni San Roque. In 2013, Contis appeared in
Love & Lies and the recent remake of
Villa Quintana. In 2020, his two movies
Ang Pangarap kong Holdap and
Through Night and Day earned spots in
Netflix as most viewed films in the Philippines. The said movies had earlier been released in theaters in 2018 but did not do well at the box-office. In 2021, Contis starred in the film
A Faraway Land with
Yen Santos. In 2023, Contis was hired by
TAPE Inc. as one of the new hosts for the reformatted version of
Eat Bulaga!, which was later renamed as
Tahanang Pinakamasaya. The show concluded in March 2024. ==Personal life==