Tennison Cooray

Tennison Cooray ( සිංහල:ටෙනිසන් කුරේ ), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama.[1] One of Sri Lanka's best-known comedians,[2] Cooray is best known for comedy roles in films such as Re Daniel Dawal Migel franchise, Cheriyo franchise, Peralikarayo, Somy Boys and Wada Bari Tarzan franchise..[3] In addition to acting, he has also worked as a director and scriptwriter, singer, lyrics writer.[4]

Tennison Cooray
ටෙනිසන් කුරේ
Born (1952-04-30) 30 April 1952
Moratuwa, Sri Lankan
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationMethodist High School, Moratuwa
OccupationActor, Screenplay Writer, Film Director ,Producer , (Justice of peace)
Years active1986- present
Spouse(s)Malsiri Eranjani
ChildrenMadhu Fernando
RelativesChathuranga Fernando (son-in-law)
AwardsDerana Film Awards 2017

Early life

Tennyson Cooray was born in Moratuwa. He studied at Methodist High School, Moratuwa. He only graduated Ordinary Level examination.

Career

In 1984, he joined with Dinesh Priyasad to write a script for a new film. Later he got a chances to act in Dinesh Priyasad's Peralikarayo in 1986, his acting career commenced with a brief phase of comic characters in Sinhala films.

He began his career as a stage performer a passion play staged at Moratumulla Church directed by Rev. Theodore H Perera. His further developed his drama skills at the Wesley Gulld and the Bible School of the Willorawatte Church. He has produced Christian Dramas for the NCC Radio.

He produced Akikaru Puthraya, the first Christian 16 mm sinhala film. He produced his first public stage drama with a message titled Apaye Thathpara 1800. its became a hit Buddhist and Christian peoples. after he produced more stage dramas such as Kurulla, I am Sri Lanka.[5] He has also appeared in comedy films with fellow actor Bandu Samarasinghe on numerous occasions, including Re Daniel Dawal Migel (film series), Cheriyo (film series), Kolompoor, Parliament Jokes, and Somy Boys. His first film as a director was Thank you Berty, which was released on 25 November 2011.[6][7]

Cooray debuted in Sinhla cinema in Dinesh Priyasad's directional debut Nommara Ekai. He wrote the story and screenplay, as well as acting in the film. Producing in low budget Nommara Ekai, it became a big hit. Later Dinesh joined a new project of Thilak Athapaththu, after the success of Nommara Ekai. Dinesh thought that Cooray knew what the people liked or disliked, and he turned to Cooray to write a new film script. He started write to script, thinking as a main actor in film. He asks a chance for main character. Athapaththu was refused it, because Cooray was a newcomer in industry. and he won't ready to take a risk. Anyhow, he got a chance perform minor role in film.

Cooray wrote the stories for Vijaya Kumaranatunga's Waradata Danduwam and Dinesh Priyasad's Kolompoor. He directed and acted in Thank You Berty.

Filmography
YearFilmRoleNotes
1986PeralikarayoTenifilm's scriptwriter
1987Nommara EkaiKoka Khanfilm's scriptwriter
1987Obatai Priye AdareAntafilm's scriptwriter
1988Chandingeth Chandiya
1990Sambudu Mahima
Hondin Nathnam Narakin
Pem Raja DahanaGuru's ally
Esala SandaDon Frank Peter Anderson
Honda Honda SellamTenny
Cheriyo DoctorAttendant
1991Alibaba Saha Horu 40
1992Singha Raja
Sinhayageth Sinhaya
Ranabime Weeraya
Malsara DoniA. Linganadan
1993Come or Go ChicagoHarrah the Karrah
Vijay Saha Ajay
1994Love 94Ballpoint
1995Cheriyo CaptainBantum
1995Demodara PalamaWalikureStory theme [8]
1996Cheriyo DarlingDoctor Dunath Mala 'D. M'[9]
1998Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1Migel
1999KolompoorThadawansaplays seven different roles
NagaranLakiya
2000Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2Migel[10]
2001Pissu Pusoo
Jonsun and GonsunJonson
Kolamba KoloppanTenny
2002Parliament JokesP.K Amaris
Somy BoysBean
Love 2002Tom
Seethala Gini KanduTamil policeman
2003Aladinge WaldinAladdin 'Dean Martin'
Taxi Driver
Hitha Honda PissoSunny
Vala In LondonValentine 'Vala' / Professor Surpentine
2004Re Daniel Dawal Migel 3008 / Migiel
Ohoma HaridaSathyapala
Clean OutBookie
2005James BondJames/Jamies
2007Jundai GundaiGunda
Hai Master
Weda Beri TarzanTarzan / Mesandual role
2008Ai Oba Thaniwela
2010Hadawatha Mal Yayai
Ape Yalu Punchi BoothayaJeevang Gurungnanseguest appearance
Wada Bari Tarzan MathisabayataTarzan
2011Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada NahiSanath Perera
Thank You BertyBertyCooray's first directorial role
2012Jeevithe LassanaiKalyana / Ku.Ku.La(Kude Kudu Laos)
2013RanjaJohnny
2014Supiri AndareAndare / GaliverDual Role
ParapuraDilanga's friendMinor role
2015Singa Machan CharlieCharlie
Eya Thamai Meya[11]RomaSecond directorial role, Home Movie
2017Kota Uda ExpressWeere
Devani Warama
2018Yama Raja SiriMartin[12]
2019Nathi Bari Tarzan[13]Tarzan
Thiththa AththaWalisinghe's secretary[14]
Sikuru Yogaya[15]
Jaya Sri AmathithumaSecretary Silva
TBDAdda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya[16]
TBDUgulai Magulai[17][18]
gollark: They don't usually have lasers.
gollark: I can't not unconfirm nor antideny the non-negative lack of effects that that doesn't not have.
gollark: I can neither confirm nor deny that not doing nothing.
gollark: Is gollark.
gollark: Terrarola is potatOS Tau.

References
  1. "Actor Tennyson Cooray". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  2. "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  3. "Golden Stars with the Golden Chimes". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  4. "22 years of MAF". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  5. "Tenny with I am Sri Lanka". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  6. "Thank You Berty". SIRISARA film. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  7. "A serious chat with Tennyson Cooray". Nation.lk. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  8. "'Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  9. "Cheriyo Darling - චෙරියෝ ඩාලින්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  10. "Daniel and Migel appear again". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  11. "Tenny into direction again". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  12. "Director in many roles". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  13. "No creepers al all". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  14. "The story of Walisinghe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  15. "Sikuru Yogaya coming tomorrow". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  16. "Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya in post productions". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  17. "Ugulai Magulai starts". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  18. "The tale of Senaka - Ugulai Magulai". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
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