fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando (Sinhala: ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු Æleksænḍar Pranāndu; 25 August 1940 – 29 April 2020) was a Sri Lankan actor and stunt director in Sinhala cinema.[1] Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Fernando acted in over 120 Sinhala films, six Tamil films, and one English film.[2][3]

Alexander Fernando
ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු
Born	Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando (1940-08-25)25 August 1940 Kotahena, Ceylon
Died	29 April 2020(2020-04-29) (aged 79) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	St. Benedict's College, Colombo St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13
Occupation	Actor, stunt director
Years active	1962–2011
Spouse(s)	Anoma Lumbini (m. 1978)
Children	3

Personal life

Fernando was born on 25 August 1940 in Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo. He was educated at St. Benedict's College, Colombo, and St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13.[4] He was an excellent athlete in wrestling, boxing and swimming during his school years. At the age of 15, he became a member of the Armstrong Wrestling Club, Kotahena. He contested for the Western Province Schools wrestling championship and finished as the runner-up.[5] In addition, he trained in karate, judo and physical fitness. In 1959, after his senior level examination, he joined the harbour authority as a tele-clerk. He gained fame as the undefeated national wrestling champion in 1961 and represented Sri Lanka at the 1962 Commonwealth Games.[6] Fernando qualified for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and also participated in the 1966 Bangkok Nippon Asian Games.[2] He later lost the opportunity to participate in several global sports tournaments due to a knee injury.[7] He is the only actor in Sri Lanka to have represented his country in sports.[5]

During his acting career, Fernando served as a sports adviser for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).[6] He won an award from the Ministry of Sports in 2009 for his contribution to sport.[7]

Fernando was married to Anoma Lumbini from 1978.[2] The couple had two daughters – Anushka and Asha – and one son – Anojan Sudharshana. He resided with his wife at No. 103, Nathuduwa, Kelaniya.[7]

Fernando died on 29 April 2020, aged 79.[8][9]

Cinema career

Fernando started in drama by acting in Tamil stage plays. He acted in the plays Shalomi and Julius Caesar.[4]

Fernando's maiden cinema acting came through 1963 film Wena Swargayak Kumatada? directed by T. Somasekaran.[2] He served in a stunt role for Henry Jayasena in that film, even though his fight scene was eventually removed from the film.[6] Then he continued to act in several commercial films in lead roles, including Haara Lakshaya, Sri Madara, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Saradielge Putha and Pasa Mithuro.[6] Fernando was a close friend of popular singer H. R. Jothipala, cinematographer Lenin Moraes and the dancer Ronald Fernando.[7][5]

In 1963, fellow stuntman and actor Robin Fernando invited him to act in the film Ruhunu Kumari directed by W. M. S. Tampoe.[4] In the meantime, he acted in films Ataweni Pudumaya (1968) and Kohomada Wade (1969). He was brought to Hendala Vijaya Studios by film actor Senadheera Rupasinghe to act in the film Ataweni Pudumaya. His film Ruhunu Kumari also came out at that time.[6] After the film became very popular, actor Joe Abeywickrama introduced him to veteran filmmaker Titus Thotawatte to act in the film Haara Lakshaya. In addition to its fighting scenes, his character included many lines of dialogue, the first time that Fernando provided dialogue in a film.[7]

In 1972, Fernando acted in seven Sinhala films.[5] In 1973, Sathischandra Edirisinghe handed over the stunt direction to his film Matara Achchi. Fernando joined with Edirisinghe for the film Sri Madara in 1977, as the lead actor.[2] He also had the opportunity to act in a major role in the 1974 film Sahayata Danny directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara.[6] During many villainous roles in the films, he acted opposite Gamini Fonseka in fight scenes. In one instance, he was injured by Gamini and could not open his eyes for three days.[7]

In 1976, Fernando acted as the titular character in the film Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe.[6] During this time, he had the opportunity to play several stage plays under the guidance of Anthony C. Perera and Jayamuni Nimal Silva. In 1983, he acted in the film Pasa Mithuro alongside Mervyn Jayathunga directed by Ananda Hewage. This film was a turning point in his film career, where he performed a realistic role as a Tamil prisoner.[4] In 1984, Fernando won the Presidential Award for this role.[5]

In many films, Sonia Disa played the lover of Fernando's characters.[2] They acted together in many films including Sahayata Danny, Sri Madara, Aege Adara Kathawa, Kawuda Raja and Harima Badu Thunak.[4]

Fernando also acted in Tamil films Yar Aval, Engleil Oruvan, Nangu Lechchami, Rattathi Thirtemme, and the English film Reincarnation.[4]

Filmography and stunt coordination

Year	Film	Roles	Ref.
1963	Wena Swargayak Kumatada?
1968	Ruhunu Kumari
1968	Ataweni Pudumaya
1969	Kohomada Wade
1969	Surayangeth Suraya
1969	Uthum Sthriya
1969	Praweshamwanna	Kidnapping assailant
1970	Dan Mathakada	Dommie's henchman	[10]
1970	Athma Pooja
1970	Ohoma Hondada		[11]
1971	Haara Lakshaya	Weerey
1971	Hathara Denama Surayo	Garage fighter
1971	Samanala Kumariyo
1972	Adare Hithenawa Dakkama	Predo	[12]
1972	Edath Suraya Adath Suraya	Alex
1972	Singapore Charlie
1972	Ada Mehemai	Assaulted thief
1972	Hithaka Pipunu Mal
1972	Veeduru Gewal	Alex
1972	Miringuwa
1973	Matara Achchi	City bouncer
1973	Suhada Pethuma		[13]
1973	Aparadaha Saha Danduwama
1973	Thushara	Alex	[14]
1973	Gopalu Handa
1973	Hondama Welawa
1973	Dahakin Ekek	Dhamme
1973	Hondata Hondai	Alex
1974	Ahas Gauwa	Japana's leader
1974	Sheela	Kidnapper
1974	Senakeliya
1974	Sahayata Danny	Samanthe
1974	Mehema Harida
1974	Rodi Gama	Game Dimitiya
1975	Hitha Honda Minihek	Club molestor
1975	Amaraneeya Adare
1975	Lassana Kella	Vicky
1975	Kokilayo
1975	Suraya Surayamai	Money offerer	[15]
1975	Ranwan Rekha
1975	Rajagedara Paraviyo	Alex
1975	Sikuruliya	Bertie's henchman	[16]
1975	Sadhana
1975	Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1976	Kawuda Raja	Sena	[17]
1976	Harima Badu Thunak	Bennet Mahathaya
1976	Loka Horu
1976	Adarei Man Adarei
1976	Saradielge Putha	Sira 'Siri' 'Saradiyelge Putha'
1977	Sri Madara	Susil Weeratunga
1977	Aege Adara Kathawa	Siripala
1977	Maruwa Samaga Wase	Dekkey Kanuwa
1977	Neela
1977	Deviyani Oba Kohida?		[18]
1977	Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977	Hithuwoth Hithuwamai	Sunder	[19]
1977	Sajaa
1977	Yakadaya	Chaubey	[20]
1978	Sithaka Suwanda	Thug
1978	Seetha Devi
1978	Celinage Walawwa
1978	Sally
1978	Apsara
1978	Sandawata Rantharu
1978	Hitha Mithura	Michael
1979	Sawudan Jema	Uranius
1979	Subhani
1979	Hari Pudumai	Bandu
1979	Samanmali	Village lover
1979	Visihathara Peya	Thanthu
1980	Anuhasa
1980	Doctor Susantha
1980	Raktha	Kopitha
1980	Api Dedena
1980	Hondin Inna
1982	Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
1982	Sithara
1983	Thunhiri Mal
1983	Menik Maliga
1983	Samanala Sihina
1983	Pasa Mithuro	Velu
1984	Thaththai Puthai	Samson 'Paul'
1984	Batti
1984	Shirani
1984	Niwan Dakna Jathi Dakwa
1984	Birinda
1985	Araliya Mal	Henchman
1985	Channai Kello Dennai
1985	Miss Lanka
1986	Maldeniye Simion	Mahumahale Mudalali
1986	Jaya Apatai
1986	Sura Saradiel
1987	Kele Kella
1988	Wana Rejina
1988	Ko Hathuro
1989	Badulu Kochchiya
1990	Christhu Charithaya	Nikandevumas	[21]
1992	Rupathiyay Neethiyay
1994	Jayagrahanaya
1995	Hitha Honda Surayo
1996	Obatai Me Aradhana
1997	Aege Wairaya 2
1997	Ninja Sri Lanka
1998	Sathutai Kirula Ape
1998	Yudha Gini Meda	Doctor Anand Rajaratnam
1999	Unusum Rathriya	Inspector Wimal
1999	Akunu Pahara
1999	Koti Sana
2000	Salupata Ahasata 2
2000	Aege Wairaya 4	Mark
2001	Kolomba Koloppan
2002	Kama Suthra	John
2003	Aege Daiwaya
2003	Hitha Honda Pisso	Dayapala 'Daya'
2005	Seethala Hadu
2006	Supiri Balawatha
2007	First Love Pooja
2008	Ai Oba Thaniwela
2011	Putha Mage Suraya

References

External links

• Alexander Fernando at IMDb

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