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Chum Ehelepola

Chum Ehelepola

Chum Ehelepola (born 30 March, 1976) is an Australian actor, director, writer, editor, and producer. He is best known for his role as Anil in AMC’s Lodge 49, Dr. Ronjon Runningstream in Netflix’s Lady Dynamite, Steve in ABC’s comedy No Activity, Ramesh in Sony TV’s Sequestered; and as Mr. DeSilva in the viral TV sensation How to Talk Australians from the creators of Wilfred. Chum will appear in Disney Studio’s blockbuster film Mulan as Ramtish in 2020.

Early Life

Chum Ehelepola was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. He growing up in Sri Lanka until he was 8-years-old then moved to Perth, Western Australia, with his family after the civil war heighted. Chum spent his youth in Perth where he attended high school at Hampton Senior High School. He was accepted into Curtin University to study Civil Engineering. After graduating, Chum gave up engineering to pursue a career in acting.

Career

Chum began his performing life as a dancer but after a few high school plays, he fell in love with acting. Chum left Perth and headed to Sydney to begin his acting training. His break-through role came in the acclaimed TV show The Surgeon alongside Sam Worthington and Justine Clarke in 2005.

Chum performed in various network TV shows until he landed one of the leads roles in The Straits starring Brian Cox and Rena Owen which filmed on the islands of the Torres Straits and far north Queensland.

After appearing on top Australian Network shows such as Redfern Now, Sea Patrol, All Saints, No Activity, Moody Christmas, Chum decided to try his hand in the US.

Upon his arrival he was selected for the prestigious ABC Diversity showcase in 2013 from over 7000 submissions for 20 places. In 2014, Chum was invited to be part of the directing team for the 2014 showcase where his writing was also selected for the New York and LA Showcases.

In the US, Chum has appeared in shows such as Bones, Sequestered, Courtside, Lady Dynamite, and Lodge 49 for AMC.

Personal Life

Chum is married to Marti Keefer who he met in acting class in Sydney. They married in 2015 in Marti’s hometown, Tathra New South Wales, and have two children.

Extra-Curricular

In Chum’s spare time he trains and works with professional actors. He opened a school in Sydney that focuses on developing and training non-beginner actors in the finer art of screen acting. Chum has a passion for education and helping aspiring actors realize their passion for the arts.