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Jackson Anthony

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Nationality
  
Sri Lankan

Name
  
Jackson Anthony

Ethnicity
  
Sinhalese

Role
  
Religion
  
Roman Catholic

Siblings
  
Senaka Titus Anthony

Website
  
www.jacksonanthony.com


Jackson Anthony wwwinfolankacomnewsILjaksonabjpg

Full Name
  
Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony

Born
  
8 July 1958 (
1949-02-18
)
Podiwee Kumbura, Ragama, Sri Lanka

Occupation
  
Creative Director, Film Producer, Actor

Spouse
  
Kumari Sandalatha Munasinghe

Children
  
Sajith Anuththara, Madhavee Wathsala, Akila Dhanuddara

Parents
  
Rolin Perera, Konganige Benedict Anthony

Movies
  

Died
  
9 October 2023 (aged 65) Colombo, Sri Lanka

Relatives
  
Senaka Titus (brother), Sudath Anthony (brother), Saman Anthony(brother), Mohan Anthony (brother)

Years active
  
1987–2022

Other names
  
Panaputhra Kuhubupaniya

Similar
  
Kamal Addararachchi, Mahendra Perera, Somaratne Dissanayake

Veteran Actor Jackson Anthony Speaking at Election Rally in Anuradhapura


Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony (as ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී; 8 July 1958 – 9 October 2023), commonly known as Jackson Anthony, was a Sri Lankan actor in film, theatre and television. One of the most popular artists in Sri Lanka, Anthony won the award for the Best Actor a record sixteen times. Primarily active as an actor in all three media, he appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, television host, novelist, columnist, lyricist, historian and traveller.

Contents

Jackson Anthony Jackson anthony toking about Presidential election 2015

Jackson Anthony Wins Best Actor Award in 2005


Early life and education

Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony was born on 8 July 1958 in Podiwee Kumbura village, Ragama, Sri Lanka. While he's recognized as "Jackson" by many people, his parents used to call him "Malsi". He received his primary education at Hapugoda St. Mary's Junior School and St. Mary's College in Bandarawela and later entered Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla. For higher education he attended the University of Colombo where he first obtained an honors degree in Sinhala language and Literature and did his master's degree in Mass media at University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Anthony often remembered his father, Konganige Benedict Anthony and his mother Podivee Kumbure Rolin Perera as the mammoth pillar of his success. Jackson's parents lived in his hometown Podiweekumbura, Ragama. His grandfather was Peduru Anthony, who worked as an overseer at Ceylon Electricity Board. He hails from a family of 5 brothers. Elder brother is Senaka Titus Anthony who is a journalist for several medias. And his other brothers are Sudath Anthony, Saman Anthony, and Mohan Anthony. On 23 October 2017 in Singapore, his elder brother Senaka Titus died due to kidney and liver failure.

Jackson Anthony Sri Lions ComJackson Anthony Photos Jackson Anthony Pana Puthara Jackson Anthony
Jackson Anthony Jackson Anthony Wikipedia

Drama career

Anthony acted extensively in several stage dramas in university stage. Then he performed in the Neville Dias Subasinghe's Vaaruwen Yana Minissu and Manavayo as well as E. M. D. Upali's Methanin Maruwenu. Then he performed in many popular stage plays such as Marasad, Madhura Jawanika, Loma Hansa, Dhawala Beeshana, Ath, Mora and Tharavo Igilethi which brought him island wide recognition in the field of cinema. He was also the Best Actor at the National Drama Festival.

In 1993 he came to film industry. Having acted in Guru Gedara, Chitti, Ayoma and Loku Duwa, in his initial days, Jackson went on to prove his status in films like Bawa Duka, Bawa Karma, Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli, Aswesuma, Agni Dahaya, Sooriya Arana, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara. In the meantime, he came to terms with television as well. These fields helped him establish his own identity as an actor. Some of his most popular television roles came through the serials: Palingu Maniac, Ella Langa Walawwa, Suseema, Weda Hamine, Kadulla, Pitagamgarayo and Akala Sandya. Of these, he won the award for the Best Actor at the Sumathi Awards for his performance in the serial Pitagamkarayo. In the movie Tharanaya, he played the role of a train man named "Thangappan" and practiced dark magic. He learned low country dance from Sedaraman Gurunnance of Handapangoda for his performance in the film Bawa Duka. He learned the difference between a hunter and a shooter while acting for the film Sooriya Arana.

In 1992, he directed his maiden teledrama Esala Kaluwara. In 1990, a drama festival called 'Bhumika 7' featured seven of Anthony's best plays which allowed scholarly fans to experience Jackson's wide range of theatrics. Then in 2014, he made second teledrama direction Daskon which later won several awards at several local award festivals. During his acting career he has garnered more than 20 Best Actor Awards at local award ceremonies such as Sarasavi Awards, Presidential Awards and OCIC Awards.

Anthony also directed several blockbuster Sri Lankan films. His directorial debut, Julietge Bhumikawa won him the award for the Most Promising Director at the Critics' Awards Ceremony. Paradeesaya was another film directed by him which was critically acclaimed. His direction Aba, allegedly an expensive movie has been made in Sri Lanka and been awarded in many film festivals. He won award for the Best Actor in Derana Film Awards 2015 for the film Address Na, which was directed by him. In 2017, he joined a Kerala cinema production Lucknow directed by Anil Kumar along with another Sri Lankan Piumi Hansamali.

Stage Drama

  • Bera Handa
  • Ath
  • Oththukaraya
  • Methanin Maruwenu
  • Lomahansa
  • Tharawo Igilethi
  • Madhura Javanika
  • Maha Samayama
  • Dhawala Bheeshana
  • Songs

  • Sithe Susum Niwana Gayana performed with Clarence Wijewardena
  • Dasa Piya Gath Kala Mata performed with Clarence Wijewardena
  • Lande Ukula Uda performed with wife Kumari Munasinghe
  • "Bandara Deiyo" Tele Drama team Song
  • Other careers

    Jackson Anthony was the Winner of the Peoples’ award for the best artist at the Awards Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) 2007. Currently, Jackson Anthony served as the Creative Director of Swarnavahini Television Channel. He is acclaimed for his concept and presentation of ‘Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa’ (translated as "The Chronicle of the Great Sinhalese") telecast through Swarnavahini channel for several years. With many erudite historians brought together, this probably became a most comprehensive program dedicated to the History of Sri Lanka. Other popular programs created by him include exploratory programs like "Ganga dige"(an exploration of the water bodies in the island) "Roma Puranaya" a travel program revealing the history and civilization of Italy and "Salang hanthe"(a travel program revealing the history and civilization of Lesotho).

    He has also directed several Sri Lankan films. His directorial debut, ‘Julietge bhumikawa’ won him the award for the Most Promising Director at the Critics’ Awards Ceremony. Paradeesaya was another film directed by him. His direction Aba, allegedly an expensive movie have been made in Sri Lanka. It is based on the legend of King Pandukabhaya; a story which took place more than 2300 years ago. Jackson's son Sajith Anuttara will play the role of the young Pandukabhaya.

    In addition to that he worked with Clarence Wijewardena;one of the most respected Sri Lankan musicians in Sinhala music, as a supporting singer for a sinhala teledrama called "Susima"

    "Esala Kaluwara" is the only teledrama directed by him and is based on a story that addresses a realistic approaches to the roots and causes of the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.

    Personal life

    Jackson Anthony was married to his long time partner Kumari Munasinghe, who is also an actress and a singer. They had two sons and a daughter and the family is settled in Kadawatha, a Colombo suburb. The daughter is the eldest of three siblings, Madhavee Wathsala, is a television presenter, actress and a singer. The elder son - Akila Dhanuddara, also is a television presenter, model and an actor. His youngest son, Sajitha Anuththara has played the role of the hunter's son in "Sooriya Arana". Sajitha is now studying in University of Kelaniya. He also played the title role in his father's big-budget film ‘Aba’.

    "He often remembers his father, Mr. Konganige Benedict Anthony, and his mother, Mrs. Rolin Perera, as the mammoth pillars of his success. Jackson's parents lived in his hometown, Podiweekumbura, Ragama. He hails from a family of 5 brothers. His elder brother is Senaka Titus Anthony, who is a journalist for several media outlets. His other brothers are Sudath Anthony, Saman Anthony, and Mohan Anthony."

    Anthony was a Catholic but an enthusiast of Buddhist studies. He conducted a show on Sri Lankan Buddhist history and a discussion program on the Buddhist channel.

    Death

    On 2 July 2022, Anthony along with his younger brother Saman Anthony and a friend had been hospitalised following an accident at Thalawa in Anuradhapura after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a wild elephant at Thalawa. The incident took place when he was returning in his personal vehicle after taking part in the shooting of the movie Singhabahu directed by Dr. Somaratne Dissanayake. He was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital on the same day and to the Emergency Department of the Colombo National Hospital on the morning of July 3. At the Colombo National hospital, he underwent a seven-hour surgery in the intensive care unit. Anthony remained in intensive care for 15 months, until 9 October 2023 when he died as a result of his injuries. He was 65.

    Filmography

    Actor
    -
    Lucknow (filming)
    -
    My First Film (post-production)
    -
    Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina (completed)
    -
    Seeruwen
    2020
    Little Miss Puppet as
    Uncle Louis
    2019
    Dada ima - End of the Hunt as
    Jayanath / Keerthi
    2019
    The Other Half as
    Hemachandra
    2018
    Udumbara as
    Ananda
    2018
    Gharasarpa as
    Kalu Kuamara
    2017
    Dharmayuddhaya as
    Harischandra
    2015
    No Address as
    Nasiwatte Hitler
    2015
    Pravegaya as
    Brando
    2015
    Maharaja Gemunu as
    King Elara
    2014
    Ahelepola Kumarihami as
    King Rajasinghe
    2013
    Bandara Deyyo (TV Series) as
    Bandara
    2013
    Butterfly Symphony (credit only)
    2012
    Kusa-Paba as
    King Kusa
    2010
    Kreshma Bhumi as
    Kithsiri
    2006
    Kurulu Pihatu as
    Chandrasekara
    2006
    Dheevari: Fisherman's Daughter
    2005
    Guerilla Marketing as
    Gregory Mahadikaram
    2004
    Randiya Dahara as
    Lionel
    2004
    Buongiorno Italia as
    Samson
    2004
    The Fighters as
    Sediris
    2002
    Fire & Water as
    Punchirala
    2001
    Aswesuma as
    Guneris - Young
    1998
    Bawa Karma as
    Peduru
    1998
    Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli as
    Padmasiri (a.k.a. Padme)
    1997
    The Fishing Net as
    Nimal
    1997
    Bawa Duka as
    Peduru
    1995
    Chitti
    1995
    Ayoma
    1994
    Loku Duwa as
    Wickrama
    1993
    Guru Gedara as
    Sunanda Rajapakse
    Writer
    -
    Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina (dialogue) / (screenplay) (completed)
    -
    Ekageyi Sokari
    2015
    No Address
    2008
    Abá
    1998
    Jullietge Bhoomikawa (dialogue) / (screenplay)
    1997
    The Fishing Net
    Director
    -
    Ekageyi Sokari
    2015
    No Address
    2008
    Abá
    1998
    Jullietge Bhoomikawa
    Music Department
    2020
    Little Miss Puppet (playback singer)
    Producer
    -
    Ekageyi Sokari (producer)

    References

    Jackson Anthony Wikipedia


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