Jackson Anthony

Jackson Anthony
Anthony during the film Kusa Pabha with Pooja Umashankar
Born	Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony (1949-02-18) February 18, 1949 Podiwee Kumbura, Ragama, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Ethnicity	Sinhalese
Education	University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Occupation	Creative Director, Film Producer, Actor
Religion	Roman Catholic
Spouse(s)	Kumari Sandalatha Munasinghe
Children	Madhavee Wathsala, Akila Dhanuddara, Sajitha Anuththara
Website	www.jacksonanthony.com

Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony commonly known as Jackson Anthony ( ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී ) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema.^[1] 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, Television host, 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 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.

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 Arana, 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 Dissanayake, 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

Director

Stage Drama

• Bera Handa
• Lomahansa
• Tharawo Igilethi
• Madhura Javanika
• Maha Samayama
• Dhawala Bheeshana

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

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 served 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 Lanka. 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.

In addition to that he worked with Clarence Wijewardena;one of the most respected Sri Lankan musicians in Sinhala music, as a supporting singer for a sinhala teledrama called "Susima"

"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 Kadawatha, a Colombo suburb. The daughter is the eldest of three siblings, Madhavee Wathsala, is a television presenter, and a singer. The elder son - Akila Dhanuddara, also is a television presenter and an actor. His youngest son, Sajitha Anuththara has played the role of the hunter’s son in “Sooriya Arana”. Sajitha is now studying in University of Kelaniya. He has also played the title role in his father's big-budget film ‘Aba’. Madhavee is married to a Dr Aloka Liyanage son of Hemasiri Liyanage & younger brother of Saumya Liyanage and Indrachapa Liyanage. The wedding was celebrated on 2 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.

References

• SLMDb of Jackson Anthony
• Official Website of Jackson Anthony
• Jackson Anthony at Internet Movie database
• Swarnavahini TV Channel

External links

• Jackson Anthony's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database

References