Jackson Anthony

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jackson Anthony
ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී
Born
Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony

(1958-07-08) July 8, 1958 (age 63)
Podiwee Kumbura, Ragama, Sri Lanka
Other namesPanaputhra Kuhubupaniya
EducationUniversity of Colombo
OccupationCreative director, film producer, actor, historian
Years active1987–present
Spouse(s)Kumari Sandalatha Munasinghe
ChildrenMadhavee Wathsala
Akila Dhanuddara
Sajitha Anthony
RelativesSenaka Titus (brother)
Sudath Anthony (brother)
AwardsSee below
Websitewww.jacksonanthony.com

Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony (born July 8, 1958 as ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී), commonly known as Jackson Anthony, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[1] One of the most popular artists in Sri Lanka, Anthony won the award for the Best Actor for record sixteen times.[2] Primarily active as an actor all three media, he has appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, television host, novelist, columnist, lyricist, historian and traveller.[3]

Family background[]

While he's recognized as "Jackson" by many people, his parents used to call him "Malsi". He received his primary education at Hapugoda 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]

He often remembers 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 , 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]

Anthony is married to his long time partner Kumari Munasinghe, who is also an actress and a singer. They have 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 is also a television presenter, singer and award-winning actor who has played the role of the hunter's son inSooriya Arana. Sajitha is a graduate at University of Kelaniya. He has also played the title role in his father's big-budget film Aba. All three children celebrated their wedding ceremony on 18 January 2019.[7] Madhavee was previously married to doctor Aloka Liyanage, son of veteran actor Hemasiri Liyanage in 2014. However they divorced in 2016. Madhavee is currently married to Milan. Akila is married to Emy and the couple has one child. Sajitha is married to Buwanika.

He is a Catholic but enthusiast of Buddhist studies. He conducts a show on Sri Lankan Buddhist history and a discussion program on the Buddhist channel.

Drama career[]

He 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 brought him island wide recognition in the field of cinema. Of these, Marasad was the most significant, as it was one of Jackson's best performances in stage acting. 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.[8] 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. When playing a character, he uses everything related to that character for his acting. For example, 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.[9]

He is also admired for his memorable performances in the roles of arrogant, assertive and impertinent characters. Sri Lanka's leading planter Dinal Hilary Samerenayaka was acting as a mentor to Anthony. He also collaborated with Jayantha Chandrasiri, a director in modern Sri Lankan cinema and television. In 2004, under the direction of the Sri Lankan director and writer, Somaratne Dissanayake, he took up a leading role in the film, Sooriya Arana in which he brought to life the role of an egocentric hunter who is compelled to vainly battle with the subtlety of Buddhist tradition both socially and spiritually. This bagged him awards at many of the local Award ceremonies. 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]

He has 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 have been made in Sri Lanka has been awarded in many film festivals. It is based on the legend of King Pandukabhaya; a story which took place more than 2300 years ago.

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 with a Kerala cinema production Lucknow directed by Anil Kumar along with another Sri Lankan Piumi Hansamali.[10]

Stage drama[]

  • Bera Handa
  • Ath
  • Oththukaraya
  • Methanin Maruwenu
  • Lomahansa
  • Tharavo Igilethi
  • Madhura Javanika[11]
  • 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
  • Bandara Deiyo Tele Drama theme Song
  • Dewathawan sithana dewal performed with Clarence Wijewardena
  • Ra Ra Tharakawo performed with Clarence Wijewardena
  • Ahasa Polowa Uhulanawalu with his family members

Other careers[]

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. 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.[12] 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 Awaare Siripa, Ganga Dige (an exploration of the water bodies in the island around Mahaweli River),[13] 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. 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.

Anthony is 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.[14]

On 22 July 2020, he started the second travelling documentary along the Kalu Ganga titled Kalu Ganga Dige.[15]

Filmography[]

As actor[]

Year Film Role Ref.
1993 Sunanda
1995
1995 Wilson
1996 Wickrama [16]
1997 Sediris
1997 Bawa Duka Peduru
1997 Visidela Nimal [17]
1998 Bawa Karma Peduru
1998 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 [18]
2020 Rookada Panchi Uncle Louis [19]
TBD Lucknow
TBD Dada Ima[20]

As director[]

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

Awards[]

"Gampaha 80" Drama Festival[]

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

National Drama Festival[]

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

Divaina Sama Drama Festival[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 Maratsade Best Actor Won

Wijaya Rupavahini Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 Kadulla Best Actor Won

UNDA Awards[]

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[]

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[]

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

Critic Awards[]

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[]

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[]

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

Presidential Awards[]

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 [21]

Top Ten Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997 Agnidaahaya Cultural Achievement Won

People's Awards[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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

Asian Film Festival[]

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

Fox International Film Festival[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 Vishama Bhaga Best Supporting Actor [22] Won

References[]

Notes
  1. ^ http://life.dailymirror.lk/other/birthday-tracker/1837-jackson-anthony.html
  2. ^ "The story of Jackson Anthony, who won the Best Actor sixteen times". divaina. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Jackson Anthony is the best actor in all three media". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  4. ^ "My hero is my father - Jackson Anthony". Hiru FM. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  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. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Jackson children wedded on same day". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  8. ^ ""He is better than others"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  9. ^ "I practiced multitasking from an early age". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  10. ^ "Jackson Anthony to make a Kerala film ..!". fastnews. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  11. ^ "Sinhala musical play at Wendt9". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  12. ^ "Jackson Anthony's historical voyage". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 6 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  13. ^ "මව්බිමේ හදවත සොයා ගිය ගමන ගඟ දිගේ අවුරුදු 15කට පසු". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Jackson steps on "Kanda Uda Gindara"". lankadeepa. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  15. ^ "Fifteen years later Jackson walks down the hip-wide river". Divaina. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Loku Duwa appears on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  17. ^ "බිඳුණා දැහැන් බිඳුණා වීසි දැල". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Vishama Bhaga won in Philippines". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  19. ^ "A cinematic carnival by the sea". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  20. ^ "'Dhada Ima' directed by Dr Naomal Perera". The Island. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  21. ^ "President honours Lankan Cinema". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  22. ^ "Jackson wins international award for Vishama Bhaga". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 January 2020.

External links[]

Articles[]

Retrieved from ""