Chum Ehelepola is an Australian actor, film maker and teacher.[1][2][3][4] Ehelepola has recently starred as Dennis in the ABC TV series, The Newsreader,[5][1] and is also cast as Jagadish in the streaming series Nautilus.[6][1]
Early life
editEhelepola was born in New Zealand[7][4][1] and raised in both Sri Lanka[7][4][1] and Australia.[7][4][1] Ehelepola attended Hampton Senior High School in the Perth suburb of Morley, Western Australia.
Career
editEhelepola has also starred in a number of Australian TV series, including No Activity,[8][9] Stateless,[8] The Straits,[7] and as Lionel in the Australian comedy series Preppers.[10]
Due to greater opportunities for actors from diverse backgrounds, Ehelepola relocated[1] to Los Angeles and appeared in a number of US television shows whilst residing there, including the AMC series Lodge 49[8] and the Netflix series Lady Dynamite.[8] He was also cast in the role of Ramtish in the Disney live action film, Mulan.[7][11]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Nautilus | Jagadish | 6 episodes | [12] |
| 2021-present | The Newsreader | Dennis Tibb | 12 episodes | [13][14] |
| 2023 | One Night | Andrew | 4 episodes | [15] |
| We Interrupt This Broadcast | Antiques Roadshow Host | 4 episodes | ||
| 2021 | Preppers | Lionel | 6 episodes | |
| 2020 | Stateless | Oshan | 2 episodes | |
| 2018-19 | Lodge 49 | Anil | 4 episodes | |
| 2017 | Lady Dynamite | Dr. Ronjon Runningstream | 1 episode | |
| Throwing Shade | Banker 3 | 1 episode | ||
| 2016 | No Activity | Steve | 3 episodes | |
| Doctor Doctor | Daniel | 1 episode | ||
| Rake | Jeffery | 1 episode | ||
| 2014 | Sequestered | Ramesh | 12 episodes | |
| How to Talk Australians | Mr D'Silva | 1 episode | ||
| Courtside | Naveen | 6 episodes | ||
| 2013 | Bones | Mo Khan | 1 episode | |
| 2012 | The Moodys | Chris | 4 episodes | |
| Redfern Now | Ubit | 1 episode | ||
| The Straits | Joseph | 5 episodes | ||
| 2011 | Sea Patrol | Vadara | 1 episode | |
| Laid | Van | 1 episode | ||
| 2007 | Comedy Inc. | 1 episode | ||
| All Saints | Chris | 1 episode | ||
| 2005 | The Surgeon | Dr. Ravi Jayawardener | 8 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mulan | Ramtish | [16] | |
| 2016 | Another Time | Tim | Short | |
| Open House on Beverely | Shuman | Short | ||
| 2015 | Super Awesome | Shae da Silva | ||
| 2012 | Intersecting Beauty | Hussain | Short | |
| Four Season of Love | The Tree | Short | ||
| Status Update: A Facebook Fairytale | Amit | Short | ||
| 2009 | Traces | Gunn | Short | |
| Frances and Annie | Ambulance Officer #2 | Short | ||
| Natural Selection | Nick | Short | ||
| Franswa Sharl | George | Short | ||
| 2008 | Scary Loney Wolves | |||
| 2007 | Spider | Gas Station Attendant | Short | [17] |
| Cross Life | Roman | |||
| 2006 | Playing with Piranhas | Keith | ||
| Happy Birthday | El | Short | ||
| 2005 | Don't Say a Word | Mahesh |
Personal life
editEhelepola is a qualified Civil Engineer,[8][1] having attended Curtin University. Ehelepola followed his passion of acting, taking the path of washing dishes, serving coffee and acting classes on the way to building a successful acting career.[3] After residing in Los Angeles for a period of time, Ehelepola returned with his family to Australia and currently resides in NSW.[1]
Ehelepola also founded the Sydney Actors Collective, providing acting classes to aspiring Australian acting talent.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Quinn, Karl (2023-09-12). "The one 1980s detail The Newsreader gets deliberately wrong". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ "Ch02.Podcast03 Chum Ehelepola". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ a b c "Meet The Acting Coach Team". Sydney Actors Collective. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ a b c d Quinn, Karl (2023-04-13). "Not so black and white: The changing face of Australian film and TV". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ Mathieson, Craig (2021-09-01). "ABC drama The Newsreader is an exceptional high-wire act". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ "Nautilus cast | Full list of characters and actors in Prime Video series | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ a b c d e Haring, Bruce (2019-07-12). "Chum Ehelepola Signs With APA, Will Appear In Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ a b c d e "Getting chummy with Chum Ehelepola – BELLO Mag". Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ Knox, David (2016-09-08). "Returning: No Activity | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ Carlson, Bronwyn (2021-11-09). "Preppers is a deep reading of colonial violence – and a hilarious, must-watch Aussie TV comedy". The New Daily. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ David Serero (2020-06-14). Interview actor Chum Ehelepola from Disney's Mulan 2020 - On the phone with David Serero (2020). Retrieved 2024-11-05 – via YouTube.
- ^ Writer, Staff. "Nautilus cast | Full list of characters and actors in Prime Video series | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Knox, David (2024-01-12). "Filming underway on The Newsreader S3 | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Knox, David (2020-11-26). "Filming underway on The Newsreader | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Knox, David (2023-09-04). "One Night | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (2019-07-12). "Chum Ehelepola Signs With APA, Will Appear In Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Writer, Staff (2012-02-05). "SPIDER (2007) Short Film: Nash Edgerton, Mirrah Foulkes, Joel Edgerton | FilmBook". Retrieved 2024-11-13.