Alexander Fernando

Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando (; 25 August 194029 April 2020) was a Sri Lankan actor and stunt director in Sinhala cinema. Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Fernando acted in over 120 Sinhala films, six Tamil films, and one English film.

Personal life Fernando was born on 25 August 1940 in Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo. He was educated at St. Benedict's College, Colombo, and St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13. He was an excellent athlete in wrestling, boxing and swimming during his school years. At the age of 15, he became a member of the Armstrong Wrestling Club, Kotahena. He contested for the Western Province Schools wrestling championship and finished as the runner-up. In addition, he trained in karate, judo and physical fitness. In 1959, after his senior level examination, he joined the harbour authority as a tele-clerk. He gained fame as the undefeated national wrestling champion in 1961 and represented Sri Lanka at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. Fernando qualified for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and also participated in the 1966 Bangkok Nippon Asian Games. He is the only actor in Sri Lanka to have represented his country in sports.

Cinema career Fernando started in drama by acting in Tamil stage plays. He acted in the plays Shalomi and Julius Caesar.