Alexander Fernando

Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando (Sinhala: ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු Æleksænḍar Pranāndu; 25 August 1940 – 29 April 2020) was a Sri Lankan film actor and stunt director.[1] Considered as one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Fernando acted in over 120 Sinhala films, six Tamil films, and one English film.[2]

Alexander Fernando
ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු
Born
Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando

(1940-08-25)25 August 1940
Kotahena, Ceylon
Died29 April 2020(2020-04-29) (aged 79)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Benedict's College, Colombo
St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13
OccupationActor, stunt director
Years active1962–2011
Spouse(s)Anoma Lumbini (m. 1978)
Children3

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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] Fernando qualified for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and also participated in the 1966 Bangkok Nippon Asian Games.[2] He later lost the opportunity to participate in several global sports tournaments due to a knee injury.[6] He is the only actor in Sri Lanka to have represented his country in sports.[4]

During his acting career, Fernando served as a sports adviser for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).[5] He won an award from the Ministry of Sports in 2009 for his contribution to sport.[6]

Fernando was married to Anoma Lumbini from 1978.[2] The couple had two daughters – Anushka and Asha – and one son – Anojan Sudharshana. He resided with his wife at No. 103, Nathuduwa, Kelaniya.[6]

Fernando died on 29 April 2020, aged 79.[7][8]

Cinema career

Fernando started in drama by acting in Tamil stage plays. He acted in the plays Shalomi and Julius Ceasar.[3]

Fernando's maiden cinema acting came through 1963 film Wena Swargayak Kumatada? directed by T. Somasekaran.[2] He served in a stunt role for Henry Jayasena in that film, even though his fight scene was eventually removed from the film.[5] Then he continued to act in several commercial films in lead roles, including Haara Lakshaya, Sri Madara, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Saradielge Putha and Pasa Mithuro.[5] Fernando was a close friend of popular singer H. R. Jothipala, cinematographer Lenin Moraeus and the dancer Ronald Fernando.[6][4]

In 1963, fellow stuntman and actor Robin Fernando invited him to act in the film Ruhunu Kumari directed by W. M. S. Tampoe.[3] In the meantime, he acted in films Ataweni Pudumaya (1968) and Kohomada Wade (1969). He was brought to Hendala Vijaya Studios by film actor Senadheera Rupasinghe to act in the film Ataweni Pudumaya. His film Ruhunu Kumari also came out at that time.[5] After the film became very popular, actor Joe Abeywickrama introduced him to veteran filmmaker Titus Thotawatte to act in the film Haara Lakshaya. In addition to its fighting scenes, his character included many lines of dialogue, the first time that Fernando provided dialogue in a film.[6]

In 1972, Fernando acted in seven Sinhala films.[4] In 1973, Sathischandra Edirisinghe handed over the stunt direction to his film Matara Achchi. Fernando joined with Edirisinghe for the film Sri Madara in 1977, as the lead actor.[2] He also had the opportunity to act in a major role in the 1974 film Sahayata Danny directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara.[5] During many villainous roles in the films, he acted opposite Gamini Fonseka in fight scenes. In one instance, he was injured by Gamini and could not open his eyes for three days.[6]

In 1976, Fernando acted as the titular character in the film Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe.[5] During this time, he had the opportunity to play several stage plays under the guidance of Anthony C. Perera and Jayamuni Nimal Silva. In 1983, he acted in the film Pasa Mithuro alongside Mervyn Jayathunga directed by Ananda Hewage. This film was a turning point in his film career, where he performed a realistic role as a Tamil prisoner.[3] In 1984, Fernando won the Presidential Award for this role.[4]

In many films, Sonia Disa played the lover of Fernando's characters.[2] They acted together in many films including Sahayata Danny, Sri Madara, Aege Adara Kathawa, Kawuda Raja and Harima Badu Thunak.[3]

Fernando also acted in Tamil films Yar Aval, Engleil Oruvan, Nangu Lechchami, Rattathi Thirtemme, and the English film Reincarnation.[3]

Filmography and stunt coordination
YearFilmRolesRef.
1963Wena Swargayak Kumatada?
1968Ruhunu Kumari
1968Ataweni Pudumaya
1969Kohomada Wade
1969Surayangeth Suraya
1969Uthum Sthriya
1969PraweshamwannaKidnapping assailant
1970Dan MathakadaDommie's henchman[9]
1970Athma Pooja
1970Ohoma Hondada
1971Haara LakshayaWeerey
1971Hathara Denama SurayoGarage fighter
1971Samanala Kumariyo
1972Adare Hithenawa Dakkama
1972Edath Suraya Adath SurayaAlex
1972Singapore Charlie
1972Ada MehemaiAssaulted thief
1972Hithaka Pipunu Mal
1972Veeduru GewalAlex
1972Miringuwa
1973Matara AchchiCity bouncer
1973Suhada Pethuma[10]
1973Aparadaha Saha Danduwama
1973ThusharaAlex
1973Gopalu Handa
1973Hondama Welawa
1973Dahakin EkekDhamme
1973Hondata HondaiAlex
1974Ahas GauwaJapana's leader
1974SheelaKidnapper
1974Senakeliya
1974Sahayata DannySamanthe
1974Mehema Harida
1974Rodi GamaGame Dimitiya
1975Hitha Honda MinihekClub molestor
1975Amaraneeya Adare
1975Lassana KellaVicky
1975Kokilayo
1975Suraya SurayamaiMoney offerer
1975Ranwan Rekha
1975Rajagedara ParaviyoAlex
1975SikuruliyaBertie's henchman
1975Sadhana
1975Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1976Kawuda RajaSena
1976Harima Badu ThunakBennet Mahathaya
1976Loka Horu
1976Adarei Man Adarei
1976Saradielge PuthaSira 'Siri' 'Saradiyelge Putha'
1977Sri MadaraSusil Weeratunga
1977Aege Adara KathawaSiripala
1977Maruwa Samaga WaseDekkey Kanuwa
1977Neela
1977Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977Hithuwoth HithuwamaiSunder
1977Sajaa
1977YakadayaChaubey[11]
1978Sithaka SuwandaThug
1978Seetha Devi
1978Celinage Walawwa
1978Sally
1978Apsara
1978Sandawata Rantharu
1978Hitha MithuraMichael
1979Sawudan JemaUranius
1979Subhani
1979Hari PudumaiBandu
1979SamanmaliVillage lover
1979Visihathara PeyaThanthu
1980Anuhasa
1980Doctor Susantha
1980RakthaKopitha
1980Api Dedena
1980Hondin Inna
1982Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
1982Sithara
1983Thunhiri Mal
1983Menik Maliga
1983Samanala Sihina
1983Pasa MithuroVelu
1984Thaththai PuthaiSamson 'Paul'
1984Batti
1984Shirani
1984Niwan Dakna Jathi Dakwa
1984Birinda
1985Araliya MalHenchman
1985Channai Kello Dennai
1985Miss Lanka
1986Maldeniye SimionMahumahale Mudalali
1986Jaya Apatai
1986Sura Saradiel
1987Kele Kella
1988Wana Rejina
1988Ko Hathuro
1989Badulu Kochchiya
1990Christhu CharithayaNikandevumas[12]
1992Rupathiyay Neethiyay
1994Jayagrahanaya
1995Hitha Honda Surayo
1996Obatai Me Aradhana
1997Aege Wairaya 2
1997Ninja Sri Lanka
1998Sathutai Kirula Ape
1998Yudha Gini MedaDoctor Anand Rajaratnam
1999Unusum RathriyaInspector Wimal
1999Akunu Pahara
1999Koti Sana
2000Salupata Ahasata 2
2000Aege Wairaya 4Mark
2001Kolomba Koloppan
2002Kama SuthraJohn
2003Aege Daiwaya
2003Hitha Honda PissoDayapala 'Daya'
2005Seethala Hadu
2006Supiri Balawatha
2007First Love Pooja
2008Ai Oba Thaniwela
2011Putha Mage Suraya
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References
  1. "Alexander Fernando films". IMDb. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. "Alexander Fernando, who made the silver screen as a combat actor at the time". Colombo Journal. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  3. "Alexander, the fighter of the cinema". Dinamina. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  4. "Sports star turned action hero". Daily News. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  5. "Yasapalitha made me a hero". Lanka Press. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  6. "The artist must always be independent". Divaina. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  7. Veteran actor, Alexander Fernando passed away
  8. "ඇලෙක්සැන්ඩර් ප‍්‍රනාන්දු සමුගනී". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  9. "All about Dan Mathakada". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  11. "All about Yakadaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  12. "All about Kristhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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