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. He was referred to as Sakalakala Sakwithi in Sinhala cinema 'King of All Arts'. Also considered one of the greatest actors in Sinhala cinema and one of the most popular artists in Sri Lanka, Anthony won the award for the Best Actor a record sixteen times. 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.

Early life and education Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony was born on 8 July 1958 in Podiwee Kumbura village, Ragama, Sri Lanka. While he was 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. He is of a lineage of South Indian migrant origins. He hails from a family of 5 brothers. his elder brother, Senaka Titus Anthony was 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.

Drama career 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. 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. 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.

Stage drama Bera Handa Ath Oththukaraya Methanin Maruwenu Lomahansa Tharavo Igilethi Madhura Javanika Maha Samayama Dhawala Bheeshana Tharawo Igilethi

Songs Sithe Susum Niwana Gayana performed with Clarence Wijewardena Dasa Piya Gath Kala Mata performed with Clarence Wijewardena Lande Ukula Uda performed with wife Kumari Munasinghe 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 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. 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), 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. On 22 July 2020, he started the second travelling documentary along the Kalu Ganga titled Kalu Ganga Dige.

Personal life 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 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.

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 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. 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. 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.

Filmography As actor

Year Film RoleNotes Ref. 1993 Guru Gedara Sunanda 1995 Chitti Ayoma Wilson 1996 Loku Duwa Wickrama 1997 Punaruthpaththiya Sediris Bawa Duka Peduru Visidela Nimal 1998 Bawa Karma Peduru Tharanaya Thangappan 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 Kurulu Pihatu Chandrasekara 2010 Kshema Bhoomi 2011 Dheewari Manuel 2012 Kusa Pabha King Kusa 2015 Pravegaya Brando Maharaja Gemunu King Elara Ahlepola Kumarihami King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha Address Na Nasiwatte Hitler 2017 Dharmayuddhaya Harishchandra 2018 Gharasarapa Gharasarapa aka Kalu Kumara Udumbara Coach Ananda 2019 Vishama Bhaga Hemachandra 2020 Rookada Panchi Uncle Louis 2023 Dada Ima Keerthi Gajanayake Ksheera Sagaraya KalabinaEmperor 2024 Seeruwen Retired Army Officer

As director Year Film 1998 Julietge Bhumikawa 2008 Aba 2015 Address Na 2020 Eka Gei Sokari

Awards "Gampaha 80" Drama Festival

National Drama Festival

Divaina Sama Drama Festival

Wijaya Rupavahini Awards

UNDA Awards

Sumathi Awards

Mass Media Awards

Critic Awards

SIGNIS OCIC Awards

Sarasaviya Awards

Presidential Awards

Top Ten Awards

People's Awards

Raigam Tele'es Awards

Lux Derana Film Awards

Hiru Golden Film Awards

Asian Film Festival

Fox International Film Festival