Wikipedia

Jackson Anthony

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.[1] One of the most popular artists in Sri Lanka, Anthony won the award for the Best Actor a record sixteen times.[2] 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.[3]

Jackson Anthony
ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී
Born
Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony

(1958-07-08)8 July 1958
Podiwee Kumbura, Ragama, Ceylon
Died9 October 2023(2023-10-09) (aged 65)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Other namesPanaputhra Kuhubupaniya
EducationHapugoda Junior School
St. Mary's College, Bandarawela
Galahitiyawa Central College
Alma materUniversity of Colombo
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Occupation(s)Creative director, Film producer, Actor, Singer, Painter, Dancer, Lyricist, Columnist, Novelist, Dubbing artist, Television host, Historian, Traveler,
Years active1987–2022
SpouseKumari Munasinghe
ChildrenMadhavee Wathsala
Akila Dhanuddara
Sajitha Anthony
RelativesSenaka Titus (brother)
Sudath Anthony (brother)
Saman Anthony(brother)
Mohan Anthony (brother)
AwardsSee below
Websitewww.jacksonanthony.com

Early life and education

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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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5][6]

Drama career

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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.[3]

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.[7] Some of his most popular television roles came through the serials: Palingu Manike, 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.[3]

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.[8] 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.[3]

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.[9]

Stage drama

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  • Bera Handa
  • Ath
  • Oththukaraya
  • Methanin Maruwenu
  • Lomahansa
  • Tharavo Igilethi
  • Madhura Javanika[10]
  • Maha Samayama
  • Dhawala Bheeshana

Songs

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Other careers

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Anthony was the Winner of the People's award for the best artist at the Awards Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) 2007. Jackson Anthony served as the Creative Director of Swarnavahini in early 2000s and produced popular musical program Hapan Padura. He is acclaimed for his concept and presentation of Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa (translated as The Chronicle of the Great Sinhalese) and Maha Sinhalaye Yatath Vijitha Vansa Kathawa, telecast through Swarnavahini for several years.[11] Other popular programs created by him include exploratory programs like Awaare Siripa, Ganga Dige, (an exploration of the water bodies in the island around Mahaweli River),[12] 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).

In addition cinema, he worked with Clarence Wijewardena; one of the most respected Sri Lankan musicians in Sinhalese music, as a supporting singer for a Sinhala teledrama called Suseema. He sang two popular songs with Clarence, Sithe Susum and Desa Piya Gathkala.

Anthony was one of three judges of Sri Lanka's Got Talent reality program, which is telecast on Sirasa TV. In January 2020, he launched his book Kanda Uda Gindara.[13] On 22 July 2020, he started the second travelling documentary along the Kalu Ganga titled Kalu Ganga Dige.[14]

Personal life

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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 was settled in Kadawatha, a Colombo suburb. The daughter, 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 is also a television presenter, singer and award-winning actor who has played the role of the hunter's son in Sooriya Arana. Sajitha is a graduate at University of Kelaniya. He also played the title role in his father's big-budget film Aba. All three children celebrated their wedding ceremony on 18 January 2019.[15]

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.

Accident and death

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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.[16] The incident took place when he was returning in his personal vehicle after taking part in the shooting of the movie Sinhabahu 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 3 July. At the Colombo National hospital, he underwent a seven-hour surgery in the intensive care unit.[17] Anthony remained in intensive care, on a ventilator donated by his family, for 458 days (15 months), until 9 October 2023 when he died as a result of his injuries at the age of 65.[18]

Filmography

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As actor

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Ref.
1993 Guru Gedara Sunanda
1995 Chitti (1995 film)
1995 Ayoma Wilson
1996 Loku Duwa Wickrama [19]
1997 Punaruthpaththiya Sediris
1997 Bawa Duka Peduru
1997 Visidela Nimal [20]
1998 Bawa Karma Peduru
1998 Tharanaya Thangappan
1998 Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli Tunmulle Padme
2001 Aswesuma Sediris
2002 Agnidahaya Punchirala
2004 Mille Soya Somson
2004 Sooriya Arana Sediris Vedda
2004 Randiya Dahara Lionel
2005 Guerilla Marketing Gregory Mahadikaram
2006 Dheewari Manuel
2006 Kurulu Pihatu Chandrasekara
2010 Kshema Bhoomi
2011 Dheewari Manuel
2012 Kusa Pabha King Kusa
2015 Pravegaya Brando
2015 Maharaja Gemunu King Elara
2015 Ahlepola Kumarihami King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha
2015 Address Na Nasiwatte Hitler
2017 Dharmayuddhaya Harishchandra
2018 Gharasarapa Gharasarapa aka Kalu Kumara
2018 Udumbara Coach Ananda
2019 Vishama Bhaga Hemachandra [21]
2020 Rookada Panchi Uncle Louis [22]
2023 Dada Ima[23] Keerthi Gajanayake
2023 Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina Emperor
2024 Seeruwen[24] Retired Army Officer
TBA Lucknow †

As director

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Year Film
1994 Julietge Bhumikawa
2008 Aba
2015 Address Na
2020 Eka Gei Sokari

Awards

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"Gampaha 80" Drama Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1980 Best Actor Won
1980 Best Script Won
1980 Best Production Won

National Drama Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1983 Methanin Maruwenu Best Supporting Actor Won
1986 Maratsade Best Actor Won

Divaina Sama Drama Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 Maratsade Best Actor Won

Wijaya Rupavahini Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 Kadulla Best Actor Won

UNDA Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1991 Kadulla Best Actor Won
1992 Mahamera Pamula Best Script Won
1996 Akhala Sandyaa Award of Excellence for Acting Won

Sumathi Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997 Pitagamkarayo Best Actor Won
2002 Maha Sinhale Wansakathawa Award of Excellence for Media Won
2004 Yeheli The Best Current Event Won
2008 Ganga Dige The Best Magazine Program Won
2008 Neighbor Talks Award of Excellence for Media Won
2016 Daskon Best Teledrama Won
2016 Daskon Best Teledrama Director Won
2016 Daskon Best Teledrama Script Won
2018 See Raja Best Teledrama Director Won
2018 See Raja Best Teledrama Script Won

Mass Media Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Maha Sinhale Wansakathawa The Best Television Programme Won
2006 The Best Television Presenter Won

Critic Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 Punuruppaththiya Best Actor Won
1996 Julietge Bhoomikawa Most Promoting Director Won
1997 Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli Best Actor Won

SIGNIS OCIC Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 Loku Duwa Best Actor Won
1997 Bawa Karma & Bawa Duka Best Actor Won
2002 Agnidaahaya Outstanding Performance Won
2005 Randiya Dahara Outstanding Performance Won
2005 Garilla Marketing Outstanding Performance Won

Sarasaviya Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 Ayoma Merit Awards Won
1997 Bawa Duka Best Actor Won
2004 Randiya Dahara Best Actor Won
2005 Milla Soya Best Supporting Actor Won
2015 Maharaja Gemunu Best Actor Won

Presidential Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997 Julietge Bhoomikawa Special Jury Awards Won
1997 Bawa Duka Best Actor Won
1998 Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli Best Actor Won
1998 Aswesuma Best Actor Won
2001 Sooriya Arana Best Actor Won
2005 Garilla Marketing Best Actor Won [25]

Top Ten Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997 Agnidaahaya Cultural Achievement Won

People's Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 People's vote People's Artist of the Year Won
2007 Aba People's Film of the Year Won

Raigam Tele'es Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Appachchi Best Actor Won
2015 Daskon Best Drama Script Won
2015 Daskon Best Drama Direction Won
2015 Daskon Best Teledrama of the Year Won

Lux Derana Film Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Address Na Best Actor Won
2018 Dharmayuddhaya Best Actor Won
2019 Most Popular Actor Won

Hiru Golden Film Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Maharaja Gemunu Jury's Award of Excellence Won

Asian Film Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Vishama Bhaga Best Actor Won

Fox International Film Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 Vishama Bhaga Best Supporting Actor [26] Won

References

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Notes
  1. ^ "Jackson Anthony". Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  2. ^ "The story of Jackson Anthony, who won the Best Actor sixteen times". divaina. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Jackson Anthony is the best actor in all three media". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ "My hero is my father - Jackson Anthony". Hiru FM. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Senaka Titus passed away". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Veteran artiste Senaka Titus passes away". ITN News. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  7. ^ ""He is better than others"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  8. ^ "I practiced multitasking from an early age". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Jackson Anthony to make a Kerala film ..!". fastnews. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Sinhala musical play at Wendt9". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Jackson Anthony's historical voyage". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  12. ^ "මව්බිමේ හදවත සොයා ගිය ගමන ගඟ දිගේ අවුරුදු 15කට පසු". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Jackson steps on "Kanda Uda Gindara"". lankadeepa. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Fifteen years later Jackson walks down the hip-wide river". Divaina. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Jackson children wedded on same day". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Jackson Anthony and 2 others injured after vehicle hits elephant". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Jackson underwent seven hours of surgery". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Veteran actor Jackson Anthony passed away". ColomboGazette. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Loku Duwa appears on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  20. ^ "බිඳුණා දැහැන් බිඳුණා වීසි දැල". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Vishama Bhaga won in Philippines". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  22. ^ "A cinematic carnival by the sea". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  23. ^ "'Dhada Ima' directed by Dr Naomal Perera". The Island. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  24. ^ "Seeruwen: The third eye of an unseen dimension". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  25. ^ "President honours Lankan Cinema". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  26. ^ "Jackson wins international award for Vishama Bhaga". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
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Articles

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