Jackson Anthony
Encyclopedia
Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony is an actor
in Sri Lankan cinema (refer to Cinema of Sri Lanka
). Though he has become popular from his career as an actor (in Television
, Stage
and Cinema). He has appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, novelist and lyricist.
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
.
, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara. In the mean time he came to terms with television as well. These fields helped him establish his own identity as an actor.
He is also admired for his memorable performances in the roles of arrogant, assertive and impertinent characters.Sri Lanka's leading
planter Dinal Hilary Samerenayaka was acting as a mentor to Anthony. He also collaborated with Jayantha Chandrasiri, a director in modern Sri Lankan cinema and television. In 2004, under the direction of the Sri Lankan director and writer, Somaratne Dissanayanke, he took up a leading role in the film, Sooriya Arana in which he brought to life the role of an egocentric hunter who is compelled to vainly battle with the subtlety of Buddhist tradition both socially and spiritually. This bagged him awards at many of the local Award ceremonies. 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.
Director
. Other popular programs created by him include exploratory programs like “Ganga dige”(an exploration of the water bodies in the island) and “Salang hanthe”(a travel program revealing the history and civilization of Lesotho
).
He has also directed several Sri Lankan films. His directorial debut, ‘Julietge bhumikawa’ won him the award for the Most Promising Director at the Critics’ Awards Ceremony. Paradeesaya was another film directed by him. His direction Aba
, allegedly an expensive movie have been made in Sri Lanka. It is based on the legend of King Pandukabhaya; a story which took place more than 2300 years ago. Jackson’s son Sajith Anuttara will play the role of the young Pandukabhaya.
"Esala Kaluwara" is the only teledrama directed by him and is based on a story that addresses a realistic approaches to the roots and causes of the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.
, a Colombo suburb. His youngest son, Sajitha Anuththara has played the role of the hunter’s son in “Sooriya Arana”. He has also played the title role in his father's big-budget film ‘Aba’
& his daughter married Dr
Aloka Liyanage son of Hemasiri Liyanage & younger brother of Saumya Liyange on 02nd of December 2010.
He often remembers his father, Mr. Konganige Benedict Anthony and his mother Mrs.Rolin Perera as the mammoth pillar of his success. Jackson's parents lived in his hometown Podiweekumbura, Ragama. He hails from a family of 5 brothers. Elder Brother is Senaka Titus Anthony who is a journalist for several medias.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
in Sri Lankan cinema (refer to Cinema of Sri Lanka
Cinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
). Though he has become popular from his career as an actor (in Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, Stage
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
and Cinema). He has appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, novelist and lyricist.
Early life
While he's recognized as "Jackson" by many people, his parents used to call him "Malsi". He received his primary education at Hapugoda Junior School and St. Mary's College in BandarawelaBandarawela
Bandarawela is the second largest city in Badulla District which is 28 km away from Badulla. Due to higher altitude, Bandarawela has a mild weather condition throughout the year hence, it is popular among the citizens to spend the vacations with their family members...
and later entered Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla
Ganemulla
Ganemulla is a mid size town situated in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka. Ganemulla is about 9 km from Kadawatha on the Colombo-Kandy road. The nearest city to Ganemulla is Gampaha, which is about 5 km in distance...
. For higher education he attended the University of Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
where he first obtained an honors degree in Sinhala Language and Literature and did his Master’s degree in Mass media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
at University of Sri Jayewardenepura
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the Universities in Sri Lanka. It is located in Gangodawila, Nugegoda, near Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka...
.
Career as an Actor
His performances in stage plays such as Marsad, Madura Jawanika, Loma Hansa, Dhawala Beeshana, Ath, Mora and Tharawo Igilethi brought him islandwide recognition in the field of cinema. In 1993 he came to film industry. Having acted in Guru Gedara, Chitti, Ayoma and Loku Duwa, in his initial days, Jackson went on to prove his status in films like Bawa Duka, Bawa Karma, Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli, Aswesuma, Agni Dahaya, Sooriya AranaSooriya Arana
Sooriya Arana is a 2004 drama film from Sri Lanka, directed by Somaratne Dissanayake.The winner of 10 Presidential Film Awards, it was also Sri Lanka's highest-grossing local release of all time .-External links:...
, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara. In the mean time he came to terms with television as well. These fields helped him establish his own identity as an actor.
He is also admired for his memorable performances in the roles of arrogant, assertive and impertinent characters.Sri Lanka's leading
planter Dinal Hilary Samerenayaka was acting as a mentor to Anthony. He also collaborated with Jayantha Chandrasiri, a director in modern Sri Lankan cinema and television. In 2004, under the direction of the Sri Lankan director and writer, Somaratne Dissanayanke, he took up a leading role in the film, Sooriya Arana in which he brought to life the role of an egocentric hunter who is compelled to vainly battle with the subtlety of Buddhist tradition both socially and spiritually. This bagged him awards at many of the local Award ceremonies. 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.
Filmography
- Guru Gedara
- Chitti
- Ayoma
- Visidela (1994)
- Lokuduwa (1994)
- Bawa Duka
- Bawa Karma
- Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli
- Aswesuma
- Agnidahaya (2002)
- Sooriya Arana (2004)
- Mille soya (2004)
- Randiya dahara (2004)
- Guerilla marketing (2005)
- Dheewari (2006)
- Kurulu Pihatu (2006)
Director
- Aba (2008)
Other careers
Jackson Anthony was the Winner of the Peoples’ award for the best artist at the Awards Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) 2007. Currently, Jackson Anthony serves as the Creative Director of Swarnavahini Television Channel. He is acclaimed for his concept and presentation of ‘Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa’ (translated as “The Chronicle of the Great Sinhalese”) telecast through Swarnavahini channel for several years. With many erudite historians brought together, this probably became a most comprehensive program dedicated to the History of Sri LankaHistory of Sri Lanka
The History of Sri Lanka begins around 30,000 years ago when the island was first inhabited. Chronicles, including the Mahawansa, the Dipavamsa, the Culavamsa and the Rajaveliya, record events from the beginnings of the Sinhalese monarchy in the 6th century BC; through the arrival of European...
. Other popular programs created by him include exploratory programs like “Ganga dige”(an exploration of the water bodies in the island) and “Salang hanthe”(a travel program revealing the history and civilization of Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
).
He has also directed several Sri Lankan films. His directorial debut, ‘Julietge bhumikawa’ won him the award for the Most Promising Director at the Critics’ Awards Ceremony. Paradeesaya was another film directed by him. His direction Aba
Aba (film)
ABÁ is the high-budget Sinhalese film directed by Jackson Anthony, based on the historical legend of King Pandukabhaya which is set in Sri Lanka more than 2400 years ago. The title is derived from "Pandu Aba", another name for the title character....
, allegedly an expensive movie have been made in Sri Lanka. It is based on the legend of King Pandukabhaya; a story which took place more than 2300 years ago. Jackson’s son Sajith Anuttara will play the role of the young Pandukabhaya.
"Esala Kaluwara" is the only teledrama directed by him and is based on a story that addresses a realistic approaches to the roots and causes of the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.
Personal life
Jackson Anthony is married to Kumari Munasinghe, a singer. They have two sons and a daughter and the family is settled in KadawathaKadawatha
Kadawatha is a small town situated in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka. The distance to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is about 10 miles from Kadawatha. DSI , Smak , Alcobronzo , Sparklit and Homerun Pas are some of the industries established there...
, a Colombo suburb. His youngest son, Sajitha Anuththara has played the role of the hunter’s son in “Sooriya Arana”. He has also played the title role in his father's big-budget film ‘Aba’
Aba (film)
ABÁ is the high-budget Sinhalese film directed by Jackson Anthony, based on the historical legend of King Pandukabhaya which is set in Sri Lanka more than 2400 years ago. The title is derived from "Pandu Aba", another name for the title character....
& his daughter married Dr
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
Aloka Liyanage son of Hemasiri Liyanage & younger brother of Saumya Liyange on 02nd of December 2010.
He often remembers his father, Mr. Konganige Benedict Anthony and his mother Mrs.Rolin Perera as the mammoth pillar of his success. Jackson's parents lived in his hometown Podiweekumbura, Ragama. He hails from a family of 5 brothers. Elder Brother is Senaka Titus Anthony who is a journalist for several medias.