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- John Carson was a hugely prolific actor who appeared constantly on UK screens throughout the mid-50s until the mid-80s. He has appeared alongside many of the UK's stars and became hugely popular as a villain or hero. The secret of John's success was his versatility and his wonderful silky voice. He appeared in 3 Hammer films which led to an ever-increased popularity amongst film fans. John moved to South Africa from England in the 80s and, sadly, his appearances became far more sporadic although he always kept working, even producing and filming his own short documentary, "African Spirit". He returned to England in 2007 and has been involved in a few films, such as The Deal (2008). He attended a John Carson Celebration Day in London (July 2009). This was the first time he had talked publicly about his long career in television, film and stage. The day was a huge success and, aside from a showing of two of his films, John gave an interview on stage and then signed autographs. The day was a huge success and this was proved so by a large attendance and the queues for his autograph and photos. John returned to South Africa in 2014 where he spent time with his family and got to relax a little. He sadly passed away on November 5th, 2016, a few weeks before his 90th birthday. He was a fine actor and leaves behind a legacy of his versatility on screen.
- Actor
- Producer
Albert Moses was born on 19 December 1937 in Gampola, Kandy District, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was an actor and producer, known for The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Octopussy (1983) and An American Werewolf in London (1981). He died on 15 September 2017 in London, England, UK.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Ceylon-born Colin Gordon began acting on the West End stage as the hind legs of a horse in 'Toad of Toad Hall' in 1934. After wartime service, he returned to the stage, appearing in such plays as 'The White Carnation' and 'The Little Hut' (both 1953), 'Misery Me!' (1955) and 'The Touch of Fear' (1956). His award-winning stage role of teacher Rupert Billings in 'The Happiest Days of Your Life' was recreated for the film version by another bespectacled actor, Richard Wattis. From 1957, Colin worked as actor-director with the Guildford Repertory Theatre. Though he is usually described as a 'light comedy actor', Colin made his mark in the acting profession as much by playing countless supercilious or sneering bureaucrats, lawyers or haughty military types. His stock-in-trade became his ever-present horn-rimmed glasses, combined with a cynical or asinine manner and a precisely modulated voice. His best performances might include pompous BBC announcer Reginald Willoughby-Cruft in The Green Man (1956) and his bank manager, locked up in the Strongroom (1962) of his own bank during a robbery. He is likely best remembered for being a particularly sinister Number 2 to Patrick McGoohan in TV's The Prisoner (1967) - twice.- Joan Elan was born on 24 July 1928 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. She was an actress, known for Darby's Rangers (1958), Matinee Theatre (1955) and Front Row Center (1955). She was married to Harry Franklin ("Bud") Nye Jr.. She died on 7 January 1981 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Hugh Burden was a distinguished British actor and playwright. He was born in Colombo (then Ceylon), the son of a colonial official. He was sent to England at the age of ten to further his education. At Beaumont College, he studied history, French and music, becoming proficient on the piano. He trained for acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and made his theatrical debut in 1933. He served in the British Army in India from 1939, but was invalided out two years later.
He appeared in films including classics such as One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942), The Way Ahead (1944) and Malta Story (1953), but he would become most prolific on television. He starred as J.G. Reeder in The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder (1969) for Thames Television, based on the short stories by the English crime writer Edgar Wallace. He is also remembered by cult television fans for his performance as the sinister alien Channing, who plots to take over the world with killer shop window dummies called Autons, in Jon Pertwee's Doctor Who (1963) debut Spearhead from Space: Episode 1 (1970). - Director
- Writer
- Producer
Born in 1962, Prasanna Vithanage became involved in theatre on leaving school. He translated and directed Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man" in 1986, and Dario Fo's "Trumpets and Raspberries" in 1991. In 1992, he directed his first film "Sisila Gini Gani" (Ice of Fire). It won nine OCIC (Sri Lanka) Awards including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. Four years later in 1996 was his second feature "Anantha Rathriya" (Dark Night of the Soul), which he wrote and directed. It was based on Leo Tolstoy's last novel "Resurrection". It participated in several international film festivals and won a Jury's Special Mention in the First Pusan International Film Festival. The film also won all the main awards at the 1996 Sri Lanka Film Critics Forum Awards (affiliated with FIPRESCI) including awards for Most Outstanding Film, Best Director and Best Screenwriter. "Pawuru Walalu" (Walls Within), his third feature in 1997 won the Best Actress Award for Nita Fernando in her role as Violet, at the 1998 Singapore International Film Festival. It even won ten out of eleven awards including Best Picture and Best Director at the Sri Lanka Film Critics Forum Awards. His fourth feature "Purahanda Kaluwara" (Death on a Full Moon Day) of the same year, 1997, which he wrote and directed was produced by NHK (Japanese Broadcasting Corporation). It won the Grand Prix at the Amiens Film Festival. Initially banned by the minister in charge of film industry, it was released after a yearlong legal battle. It was given the release under the supreme court verdict. Since it has become one of the most successful film in the more than half a century history of cinema in Sri Lanka. Prasanna Vithanage completed "Ira Madiyama" (August Sun) his fifth film in 2003. It went on to win many international awards and was featured prominently in the world festival circuit. In 2007, Vithanage co-produced the hit film "Machan" a comedy about a group of working class con artists posing as a handball team, directed by "The Full Monty" producer Uberto Pasolini. "Machan" premiered at the 65th Venice Film Festival in 2008. It was shown widely all over the world winning 11 international awards. 2008 also saw the world premiere of Prasanna Vithanage's sixth feature film as director, "Akasa Kusum" (Flowers of the Sky) in Pusan, Korea and screened over forty film festivals to wide acclaim winning numerous international awards. "Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka" (With You, Without You) is his seventh feature. His feature debut Documentary "Silence in the Courts" was the first Documentary film which had a theatrical run in Sri Lanka, despite being initially banned from public screening by the Colombo District Court of Sri Lanka. His historical drama film 'Gaadi - Children of the Sun' (2019) won Cultural Diversity Award at Asia Pacific Screen Awards and ran for 98 days theatrically in Sri Lanka. 'Paradise' (2023) is his first Indian language film in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Sinhala. 'Paradise' had its World Premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival 2023 and won the Kim Jeseok Award.- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Michael Ondaatje was born on 12 September 1943 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He is a writer and director, known for The English Patient (1996), Elimination Dance (1998) and The Offering (1966). He is married to Linda Spaulding.- Gillian Raine was born on 28 December 1926 in Ceylon. She was an actress, known for My Friend Charles (1956), Born and Bred (1978) and Great Performances (1971). She was married to Leonard Rossiter. She died on 19 June 2018 in London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
M.G. Ramachandran (1917-1987), popularly known as MGR, dominated like no other, the films and politics of India's Tamil Nadu state. A charismatic actor and philanthropist, he commanded the idolatrous adulation of millions of Tamilians and became Tamil Nadu's chief minister. His achievements in 3 fields, namely films, philanthropy and politics were remarkable considering his humble origins in Sri Lanka. Raised in poverty by a widowed single mother, he had nothing more than his good looks when he got his first break in "Sati Lilavati", a Tamil film of the late 1930s. In the 1940s and 50s, the Tamil film industry was being transformed by screenwriters like Annadurai, Karunanidhi and others belonging to the Dravidian movement. MGR starred in many of the movies they helped make. Annadurai became his mentor and MGR joined the DMK, Annadurai's new Dravidian party. His films made MGR a matinee idol among Tamilians. He also started monetarily helping people in need, sowing the seeds for his reputation as a philanthropist. When Annadurai died as Tamil Nadu's chief minister, MGR's rival Karunanidhi assumed office. MGR accused him of defalcation and was kicked out of the DMK. In 1977, MGR's ADMK (later renamed AIADMK) party was swept into power. In his first term, MGR cleaned up corruption and carried out reforms like having an income limit for backward class people to be eligible for the reserved seats in government colleges and jobs. His reforms proved unpopular, so MGR became another corrupt Indian politician having learned not to rock the boat. Tamil Nadu stagnated during the rest of his reign. Yet his mesmerized legions of fans continued to vote him into power. His death in 1987 created a power vacuum that soon brought his old nemesis, the corrupt Karunanidhi, back into power. MGR was a complex man who triumphed over poverty and tried to improve the lot of the people who revered him. However, in the end, he was a god that failed.- Christopher Arthur Greet was an announcer and presenter of radio programmes with Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Chris Greet enjoyed iconic status alongside other announcers of Radio Ceylon. Millions tuned into the radio station.
Chris Greet later worked as an account director at Intasel Advertising, 60 Green Path, Colombo 7, in 1978. He was also a freelance copywriter and radio announcer recording commercials for Sri Lankan advertising agencies in the early 1980s.
Chris Greet is also a distinguished actor. One of his earliest roles was as a British officer in the wartime epic film The Bridge on the River Kwai with Sir Alec Guinness, which was filmed in Ceylon. Chris Greet also appeared in several plays in Colombo alongside great Ceylonese actors such as Lucien de Zoysa and Eddie Nathanielz.
Greet has also appeared in plays, films and television comedy programmes, most notably working with Victoria Wood on the sitcom dinnerladies (1998). - Director
- Writer
- Producer
Lester James Peries was born on 5 April 1919 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He was a director and writer, known for The Line of Destiny (1956), Gamperaliya (1963) and Yagunthaya (1985). He was married to Sumitra Peries. He died on 29 April 2018 in Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka.- Nina Dyer was born on 15 February 1930 in Ceylon. She was married to Sadruddin Aga Khan and Hans Heinrich Von Thyssen. She died on 3 July 1965 in Garches, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Yolande Bavan was born on 1 June 1942 in Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. She is an actress, known for The Accidental Husband (2008), Parting Glances (1986) and The Brave One (2007).- Maureen Hingert was born on 9 January 1937 in Columbo, Ceylon [present-day Sri Lanka], of Dutch ancestry, the daughter of Lionel Hingert and Lorna Mabel del Run. Her father was the president of the Bank of Ceylon and had extensive tea holdings. On 25 June 1955, aged 18, she was crowned "Miss Ceylon" in Colombo.
In October 1955, she made her screen debut playing a Native American in Universal-International's "Pillars of the Sky", and signed by 20th Century-Fox to appear in The King and I (1956). In 1958, Hingert married Mario Armand Zamparelli, a Montrose artist. On 8 May 1959 in Los Angeles, their daughter Regina was born; she became renowned Los Angeles concert promoter Gina Zamparelli. Hingert had two other daughters, Marisa and Andrea. In July 1970, Hingert divorced Zamparelli. In March 1976, she wed William J. Ballard in Los Angeles. - Actor
- Additional Crew
Kenneth Coombs was born on 6 December 1941 in Ceylon. He is an actor, known for Inspector Lewis (2006), On the Up (1990) and The Chief (1990).- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Keith Potger was born on 21 March 1941 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He is an actor and composer, known for It's Not the Size That Counts (1974), Spring (2016) and Remembering Nigel (2009). He was previously married to Nicki Paull, Pamela Potger and Pamela Powley.- Actor
- Director
David Spenser was born on 12 March 1934 in Colombo, Ceylon. He was an actor and director, known for A Farewell to Arms (1966), Paul of Tarsus (1960) and The Earth Dies Screaming (1964). He died on 20 July 2013 in Spain.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Jackson Anthony was born on 8 July 1958 in Podiwee Kumbura, Ragama, Ceylon. He was an actor and writer, known for Dharmayuddhaya (2017), Jullietge Bhoomikawa (1998) and Ekageyi Sokari. He was married to Kumari Sandalatha Munasinghe. He died on 9 October 2023 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- Sirimavo Bandaranaike was born on 17 April 1916 in Ratnapura, British Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. She died on 10 October 2000 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Walter Mondale is an American politician, diplomat and lawyer who served as the 42nd vice president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A United States senator from Minnesota (1964-1976), he was the Democratic Party's nominee in the United States presidential election of 1984, but lost to Ronald Reagan in an Electoral College landslide. Reagan won 49 states while Mondale carried his home state of Minnesota and the District of Columbia. He became the oldest-living former U.S. vice president after the death of George Bush in 2018.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Darmasena Pathiraja was born on 28 March 1943 in Kandy, British Ceylon. He was a director and writer, known for Metamophorsis (2014), Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (1975) and Mathu Yam Dawasa (2002). He was married to Malani Kusumalatha Pathiraja. He died on 28 January 2018 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.- George Alagiah is a newsreader and journalist who joined the BBC in 1989, working as a reporter and correspondent. He first joined Six O'Clock News (1984) as a newsreader in 2003, and became a much-recognised face of BBC news, also presenting slots in BBC News at Ten O'Clock (2000) and One O'Clock News (1986), among others.
George has occasionally appeared in dramas, playing a newsreader, including Discovery: Part 2 (2017) and Bigfooting (2009). Born in Sri Lanka, he shared his love of Sri Lankan food in Sri Lanka (2018), and has appeared on television as himself in programmes including Episode dated 19 August 2019 (2019) and Out of Africa: Heroes and Icons (2005). - Joe Abeywickrama was born on 13 June 1933 in Lellopitiya, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He was an actor and writer, known for Death on a Full Moon Day (1997), Welikathara (1971) and Sorungeth Soru (1967). He died on 21 September 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Gandhi MacIntyre was born on 2 October 1939 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He is an actor, known for The Blood of Heroes (1989), Babe: Pig in the City (1998) and Dead End Drive-In (1986). He is married to Dorothy MacIntyre.
- Actor
- Writer
Tony Ranasinghe was born on 31 July 1937 in Modara, Ceylon. He was an actor and writer, known for Keli Madala (1991), Koti Valigaya (1986) and Vaishnavee (2017). He died on 16 June 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- Sanath Jayasuriya was born on 30 June 1969 in Matara, Ceylon.
- Danny Nalliah was born in 1964 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He has been married to Maryse since 28 March 1987. They have three children.
- Actor
- Music Department
Vijaya Nandasiri was born on 6 May 1944 in Ceylon. He was an actor, known for Breaking News, Left Right Sir (2004) and Sir Last Chance (2009). He was married to Devika Mihirani. He died on 8 August 2016 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- J.H. Jayawardena was born in 1921 in Kurunegala, Ceylon. He was an actor, known for Hansa Vilak (1980), Age Vairaya (1995) and Age Vairaya 2 (1997). He died on 3 June 2015 in Kandana, Sri Lanka.
- Actor
- Director
Kenneth Villiers was born on 27 June 1912 in Colombo, Ceylon. He was an actor and director, known for Seven (1945), Things to Come (1936) and Broken Blossoms (1936). He died on 27 August 1992.- Director
- Writer
A.S.A. Sami was born in 1915 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. A.S.A. is a director and writer, known for Arasilankumari (1961), Karpukkarasi (1957) and Aananda Jothi (1963).- Aravinda de Silva was born on 17 October 1965 in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka].
- Bonda Mani was born on 19 September 1963 in Mannar District, Northern Province, Ceylon. He was an actor, known for Mazhai (2005), Velayudham (2011) and Manikanda (2007). He died on 23 December 2023 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Somalatha Subasinghe was born in 1936 in Ceylon. She was an actress, known for Maha Gedara (1982), Viragaya (1987) and Me mage sandai (2000). She was married to Lionel Fernando. She died on 30 May 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Prabhakaran was born on 26 November 1954 in Jaffna, Ceylon. He was married to Mathivathani Erambu. He died on 18 May 2009 in Sri Lanka.
- Writer
- Director
Wasantha Obesekara was born on 29 December 1937 in Mathugama, Ceylon. He was a writer and director, known for Palangetiyo (1979), Sewwandi (2006) and Salelu Warama (2002). He died on 8 April 2017 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- Ramya Wanigasekara was born on 17 July 1950 in Kotiyakumbura, Ceylon. She was an actress, known for Weerya (2024), Maruthaya (1995) and Koombiyo (2017). She was married to R.R Samarakoon.. She died on 8 March 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Bill Forbes was born on 17 December 1938 in Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He died on 7 February 2022 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
Henry Jayasena was born on 6 July 1931 in Bendiyamulla, Gampaha, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. He was an actor and writer, known for Sadol kandulu (1967), Sri 296 (1959) and Heta Premada Wadi (1964). He died on 11 November 2009 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- Gotabaya Rajapaksa was born on 20 June 1949 in Weeraketiya, Dominion of Ceylon. He is married to Ayoma Rajapaksa. They have one child.
- Wimal Kumara de Costa was born on 4 July 1948 in Colombo, Ceylon. He was an actor, known for Peralikarayo (1986), Pem Mal Mala (1997) and Athma (1994). He died on 20 November 2016 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Camera and Electrical Department
Laura Lushington was born on 10 December 1920 in British Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. Laura is known for David Macaulay: Cathedral (1986). Laura died on 10 May 2015 in England, UK.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Asoka Peiris was born in 1942 in Moratuwa, Ceylon. He was an actor and director, known for Sarana (1967), Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli (1998) and Sisila Giniganee (1993). He died on 24 December 2007 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.- Actor
- Composer
- Editor
Vashanth started learning the piano at seven and at the age of nine he began to play keyboard for his father's drama troupe where he also learned to act.
In December 1999 he composed his first song "Welcome 2000" which became a well known song among the public. His main instrument is the keyboard, but he also plays guitar, bass, drum, tabla, veena and various percussions. He then learned Carnatic music, which inspired him to compose melodious tunes with western Influence.
He entered an academic school in 2001 and chose music as his main subject. He acquired the basics of music composition techniques and how to analyze music production from various genres. After that he completed electronic music in a private school.
In 2003 he released his debut album Ilamai Inimai Puthumai at a big music event in Denmark. His second music productions were sound tracks for K.S.Thurai's Tamil film, Pookkal, where he also debuted as the leading film actor. The film completed 100 days in the cinemas all over the world during 2004-2005.
In 2009, he finished B.Sc. in Medialogy and completed M.Sc. in Interactive Digital Media at Aalborg University in 2012.
The soundtracks for his second film Ilampuyal, were released by director Ameer, director Vasanth, actor Shaam, producer R.B. Choudry and politician Thirumavazhavan. The function was covered by well known TV stations Sun TV, Kalaignar TV, Raj TV and Vijay TV.
His acting and music skills where well hailed by recognized actors and directors including comedian Karunas, director Ameer and producer Kalaipuli Thanu. The film Ilampuyal made it up to 100 days in Tamil Nadu and was also broadcast on Kalaignar TV.
Many famous professional singers contributed to his music such as A.R.Rahman's sister Raihana, Srinivas, Karthik, Malathy, Tippu, Haricharan, Saindhavi, Roshini and Manica Vinayagam. He also worked with professional technicians such as the film editor Sathees Kurosawa, cinematographer Kichas, Dasavatharam sound FX developer Raju, E film story developer Paval Shankar and Rajinikanth daughter's Ocher studio crew.- David Beaty was born on 28 March 1919 in Hatton, Ceylon. He was a writer, known for Trouble in the Sky (1960) and Une femme fatale (1976). He died on 4 December 1999.
- Composer
- Music Department
W.D. Amaradeva was born on 5 December 1927 in Moratuwa, British Ceylon. He was a composer, known for Getawarayo (1964), Thun Man Handiya (1970) and Anuragaye Ananthaya (2000). He was married to Wimala. He died on 3 November 2016 in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka.- Composer
- Music Department
Premasiri Kemadasa was born on 25 January 1937 in Talpitiya, Wadduwa, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. Premasiri was a composer, known for Hansa Vilak (1980), Jullietge Bhoomikawa (1998) and Silence of the Heart (1969). Premasiri died on 24 October 2008 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- Alexander Fernando was born on 25 August 1940 in Kotahena, Colombo, Ceylon. He was an actor, known for Hathara Denama Surayo (1971), Koti Sana (1999) and Ninja Sri Lanka (1997). He was married to Anoma Lumbini . He died on 29 April 2020 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Amarasiri Kalansooriya was born on 20 September 1940 in Kandy, British Ceylon. He was an actor, known for Apeksha (1979), Megha and Hanthane Kathawa (1968). He was married to Ajantha Thalatha Kumari Ekanayaka. He died on 1 April 2023 in Ja Ela, Sri Lanka.
- John Fisher was born on 25 January 1841 in Ramboda, Ceylon. He was married to Frances Katharine Josepha Broughton. He died on 10 July 1920 in London, England, UK.