Meet Dante Basco
Dante Roman Basco (born August 29, 1975, in Pittsburg, California) is an actor, voice actor, writer, director, dancer, and producer. He’s best known for his breakout role as Rufio in Steven Spielberg’s Hook (1991), but his career spiraled into iconic voice work as Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender and Jake Long in American Dragon: Jake Long. With Filipino-American roots, Bay Area upbringing, and over 200 film, TV, animation, and video game credits to his name, he’s a creative powerhouse.
Early Life & Roots in Performance
Raised in Pittsburg and later Cerritos and Paramount, California, Dante grew up with four siblings—including actor Dion Basco. In the mid-’80s, Dante and his brothers formed a break-dancing crew and performed on the streets. A graduate of Orange County High School of the Arts (Class of ’93, Music & Theatre Conservatory), he tossed cabbages like a pro on The Wonder Years, Santa Barbara, Highway to Heaven, and a handful of CBS specials—laying down the groundwork for his breakout role.
The Lost Boy Legacy: Rufio in Hook
In 1991’s Hook, Dante embodied Rufio—the hot-headed, lacquered leader of the Lost Boys. Screaming “Rufio! Rufio!” forever etched him into childhood memories. That intense mohawk-wielding youth became a cult icon, earning Dante a Young Artist Award ensemble win and a Young Artist nomination for Best Young Actor. In 2017 he revisited Rufio’s legend through a Kickstarter-funded short, Bangarang, while hosting fan events and celebrating the character’s legacy.
Indie Cred & Advocacy: The Debut
In 2000, Dante took center stage in The Debut (2000), playing Ben Mercado in what became the first Filipino-American feature film released nationally in U.S. theaters. Co-written by his family and highlighting Filipino-American experiences, the film screened across film festivals and secured Dante recognition as a face of representation.
Animation’s Dragon: Jake Long
From 2005 to 2007, Dante voiced Jake Long, the titular hero of Disney Channel’s American Dragon: Jake Long. As a Chinese-American teen who transforms into a dragon protecting magical creatures, Jake melded Dante’s swagger and cultural identity. Across 52 episodes, Dante brought humor, attitude, and heart to a lead role that resonated with fans.
Fire Nation Prince: Zuko Takes Flight
In 2005, Dante joined the cast of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, voicing Prince Zuko—the disfigured heir struggling between duty and identity. Across all three seasons (2005–2008), Dante delivered a nuanced performance, capturing Zuko’s rage, redemption, and growth. He later reprised Zuko in video game tie-ins like Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth and voiced Zuko again in crossover moments like Robot Chicken.
The Next Generation: General Iroh in The Legend of Korra
Dante returned to the Avatar franchise as General Iroh II (Zuko’s grandson) in The Legend of Korra (2012–2014). Voicing the mature, commanding military leader in six episodes, he brought legacy and gravitas to the Fire Nation’s next generation.
Beyond Avatar: Diverse Voice Work
- Star Wars Rebels (2014): Voiced Jai Kell over four episodes.
- The Proud Family: Voiced Quoc Wong in two episodes.
- The Boondocks: Played Jingmei in one episode.
- Generator Rex: Voiced Tuck across three episodes.
- Ultimate Spider-Man: Brought Scorpion to life in two episodes.
- Camp Camp: Voiced Billy “Snake” Niksslip from 2016 to 2019.
- Additional voices in shows like Carmen Sandiego, We Bare Bears, Trese, Little Demon, and more.
- Voice credits include video games like Aion, Mortal Kombat X, Call of Juarez, and several Avatar video game tie-ins.
- Voiced Kenneth “Kenny” Rogers in Cartoon Network’s Firebreather (2010).
On-Camera Roles & Guest Spots
Dante’s live-action roles span over three decades: guest roles on The Wonder Years, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Disney’s live-action Community, Hawaii Five-0, A Million Little Things, and recurring roles like Jace Vargas on Prime’s Almost Paradise (2023). He even had comedic takes on Drunk History and appeared as himself in Blindspotting (2023).
Creative Evolution: Writing & Directing
In 2019, Dante co-wrote and directed The Fabulous Filipino Brothers (2021), a comedy-drama about four siblings from Filipino-American heritage. Featuring the Basco brothers before pandemic delays, it premiered at SXSW and later released on Netflix, demonstrating Dante’s range beyond acting.
Podcasting & Streaming Presence
He co-hosts “Avatar: Braving the Elements” (since 2021) with Janet Varney—rewatching the show, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, and connecting with fans. He also streams gameplay on Twitch under his own handle, staying directly engaged with his audience.
Personal Life & Advocacy
Dante is proudly Filipino-American and a vocal advocate for representation. In the ’90s, he co-founded the Da Poetry Lounge in Hollywood, supporting slam poets and spoken word artists. In April 2023 he became engaged to filmmaker/actress Alice Rehemutula; they married in September 2023 and welcomed their son, Dunya Royale, in October 2024.
Awards & Milestones
- Young Artist Award winner for ensemble cast of Hook.
- Young Artist nomination for Best Young Actor in Hook.
- The Debut, a landmark Filipino-American feature.
- SXSW premiere of his directorial feature, The Fabulous Filipino Brothers.
Why Dante Basco Matters
Dante’s career encompasses rebellious mohawked teens, searched-for princes, teenage dragons, wise generals, and so much more. He’s tackled representation, embraced roots, and expanded his craft into writing, directing, and podcasting. He’s not just a voice—you hear him, you feel him, and you remember him.
What’s Next?
The voice of Zuko and Rufio isn’t taking a break—he’s speaking on panels, streaming, producing new stories, and cultivating cultural representation on and off screen. With directing credits and parenthood on his plate, expect more creative sparks—and maybe another Basco family affair in entertainment.
Final Thoughts
Dante Basco’s journey from street dancing kid to multi-faceted storyteller is impressive and inspiring. Whether commanding the Lost Boys, searching for the Avatar, or leading fire-wielding generals, he brings depth, humor, and heart. His story reminds us: identity matters, representation matters, and sometimes, the kid yelling your name becomes a legend.
