Joe Abeywickrama
Encyclopedia
Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama (22 June 1927 - 21 September 2011) (known as Joe Abeywickrama) was a Sri Lanka
n actor. He began acting in 1957 and achieved fame as a comedic
actor. Since 1965, Abeywickrama has also done drama
tic roles.
He has won several Sarasavi Awards; At the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival
, Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in Pura Handa Kaluwara (English: Death on a Full Moon Day).
), Sri Lanka and grew up in a rural area. He was the eldest of four children. His surroundings instilled in him a strong appreciation of nature and hard work.
Abeywickrama graduated from Sivali Central College in Ratnapura. In the 1940s he settled in Colombo
and started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio Nawajeewana. Initially limited to doing office chores, Abeywickrama eventually became involved in films screened in Ratnapura by the studio. He made contacts with film industry
insiders while with the studio, and on his leave obtained a role in Devasundari.
who collected ant
s. He obtained the role with the help of his friend Florida Jayalath and considers it to be his first real role and a turning point in his career. After Saradama Abeywickrama was in demand as a comedic actor.
Abeywickrama began taking more dramatic roles with Shesha Palihakkara
's Saravita, an award winning film. With D. B. Nihalsinghe
's Welikathara
Abeywickrama continued in this field. In the 1971 film he portrays the stern Goring Mudalali. He also starred in Mahagama Sekera's Tun Man Handiya in 1970.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n actor. He began acting in 1957 and achieved fame as a comedic
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
actor. Since 1965, Abeywickrama has also done drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
tic roles.
He has won several Sarasavi Awards; At the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival
Singapore International Film Festival
The Singapore International Film Festival was launched in 1987. The festival is an annual film event, held around April/May each year, and screens about 300 films from over 45 countries...
, Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in Pura Handa Kaluwara (English: Death on a Full Moon Day).
Early life
Gammana Patabendige Don John "Joe" Abeywickrama was born in Lellopitiya (near RatnapuraRatnapura
- Floods :The town of Ratnapura is situated in the flooding plain of the river Kalu. The town experiences regular floods usually in the month of May. There is no large dam across the Kalu, so this leaves the city at the mercy of nature's forces every year. Several proposals have been made to reduce...
), Sri Lanka and grew up in a rural area. He was the eldest of four children. His surroundings instilled in him a strong appreciation of nature and hard work.
Abeywickrama graduated from Sivali Central College in Ratnapura. In the 1940s he settled in 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...
and started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio Nawajeewana. Initially limited to doing office chores, Abeywickrama eventually became involved in films screened in Ratnapura by the studio. He made contacts with film industry
Film industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
insiders while with the studio, and on his leave obtained a role in Devasundari.
Film actor
Abeywickrama's first notable role was in Saradama as an eccentric police officerPolice officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
who collected ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
s. He obtained the role with the help of his friend Florida Jayalath and considers it to be his first real role and a turning point in his career. After Saradama Abeywickrama was in demand as a comedic actor.
Abeywickrama began taking more dramatic roles with Shesha Palihakkara
Shesha Palihakkara
Shesha Palihakkara was an Sri Lankan dancer, actor, and producer. He achieved critical recognition with a starring role in Lester James Peries' masterpiece Rekava and as producer of Getawarayo, Sarawita and Ranmuthu Duwa....
's Saravita, an award winning film. With D. B. Nihalsinghe
D. B. Nihalsinghe
Dr. Diego Badaturuge Nihalsingha is urguably the most versatile person in film and television in Sri Lanka- with a respected reputation in both film and television being one of the most senior Sri Lankan film directors and film industry pioneers with over 40 years of distinguished service to...
's Welikathara
Welikathara
Welikathara is a 1971 dramatic film made by Sri Lankan director D. B. Nihalsinghe.-Plot:The film is about the clash between Goring Mudalali and ASP Randeniya .-Cast:-Production:...
Abeywickrama continued in this field. In the 1971 film he portrays the stern Goring Mudalali. He also starred in Mahagama Sekera's Tun Man Handiya in 1970.
Film
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Saradama | police officer |
| 1959 | Avishwasaya | |
| 1959 | Sri 296 | |
| 1959 | Gehenu Geta | |
| 1959 | Sirimalee | |
| 1960 | Nalangana | |
| 1960 | Pirimiyek Nisa | |
| 1961 | Daruwa Kageda | |
| 1962 | Ranmuthu Duwa Ranmuthu Duwa Ranmuthu Duwa was the first colour full-length Sinhalese language film to be produced in Sri Lanka in 1962. It was produced by Shesha Palihakkara and directed by Mike Wilson, who also made his debut as a feature director... |
|
| 1962 | Deva Sundari | |
| 1963 | Wena Swargayak Kumatada | |
| 1963 | Deepashika | |
| 1964 | Hete Pramada Wediyi | |
| 1964 | Getawarayo Getawarayo Getawarayo is a 1964 Sri Lankan drama film starring Gamini Fonseka.The movie won the Best Director and Best Film awards at the 1965 Sarasaviya Film Festival.- Plot :... |
Semanaris |
| 1964 | Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe | |
| 1964 | Sithaka Mahima | |
| 1965 | Chandiya Chandiya Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:... |
|
| 1965 | Sathutu Kandulu | |
| 1965 | Sarawita | Saraiya |
| 1965 | Hithata Hitha | |
| 1965 | Allapu Gedara | |
| 1965 | Satha Panaha | |
| 1965 | Sweep Ticket | |
| 1965 | Landaka Mahima | Mohan |
| 1966 | Sengawena Sewanella | |
| 1966 | Mahadena Muththa | Polbemuna |
| 1966 | Senasuma Kothenada | |
| 1966 | Athulweema Thahanam | |
| 1966 | Seegiri Kashyapa | |
| 1966 | Kapatikama | |
| 1966 | Parasathu Mal | |
| 1967 | Sorungeth Soru | |
| 1967 | Manamalayo | |
| 1967 | Daru Duka | |
| 1967 | Sendol Kandulu | |
| 1968 | Punchi Baba | Sena |
| 1968 | Akka Nago Akka Nago Akka Nago is a 1968 Sri Lankan film directed by Vincent David.-Cast:*Joe Abeywickrama*David Dharmakirthi*Dommie Jayawardena*Sandhya Kumari*D.R. Nanayakkara*Stanley Perera-External links:*... |
|
| 1968 | Amathikama Amathikama Amathikama is a 1968 Sri Lankan film directed by Nihal Jayasinghe.-Cast:*Joe Abeywickrama ... Mudalali*Hugo Fernando ... Arachchi*Sandhya Kumari*D.R. Nanayakkara*Pearl Vasudevi*Ione Weerasinghe*Jessica Wickramasinghe... |
Mudalali |
| 1968 | Dahasak Situwili | Sagara |
| 1968 | Adarawanthayo Adarawanthayo Adarawanthayo is a 1968 black & white Sri Lankan drama film directed by Amarnath Jayatilaka.-External links:*... |
|
| 1968 | Ataweni Pudumaya Ataweni Pudumaya Ataweni Pudumaya is a 1968 Sri Lankan film directed by S. Mastan.-Cast:*Joe Abeywickrama*Clarice de Silva*Sandhya Kumari*Shanthi Lekha*D.R. Nanayakkara*Senadeera Rupasinghe... |
|
| 1969 | Senehasa | |
| 1969 | Oba Nethinam | |
| 1969 | Narilatha | |
| 1969 | Hari Maga | |
| 1969 | Baduth Ekka Horu | |
| 1969 | Uthum Sthree | |
| 1969 | Prawesam Wanna | |
| 1969 | Para Walalu | |
| 1969 | Pancha | |
| 1969 | Romeo Juliet Kathawa | |
| 1970 | Lakseta Kodiya | |
| 1970 | Thewatha | |
| 1970 | Tun Man Handiya | Abilin |
| 1971 | Seeye Nottuwa | |
| 1971 | Welikathara Welikathara Welikathara is a 1971 dramatic film made by Sri Lankan director D. B. Nihalsinghe.-Plot:The film is about the clash between Goring Mudalali and ASP Randeniya .-Cast:-Production:... |
Goring Mudalali |
| 1971 | Haralaksaya | |
| 1972 | Chandar, the Black Leopard of Ceylon | Father |
| 1972 | Weeduru Gewal | |
| 1973 | Mathara Aachchi | |
| 1973 | Thushara | |
| 1973 | Sadahatama Oba Mage | |
| 1974 | Kalyani Gangaa | |
| 1974 | Onna Babo Billo Enawa | |
| 1974 | Niyangala Mal | |
| 1975 | Raththaran Amma | |
| 1975 | Tharanga | |
| 1974 | Sooraya Soorayamai | |
| 1975 | Sikuruliya | personal driver |
| 1975 | Sadhana Sadhana Sādhanā literally "a means of accomplishing something" is ego-transcending spiritual practice. It includes a variety of disciplines in Hindu, Sikh , Buddhist and Muslim traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives.The historian N... |
|
| 1975 | Kalu Diya Dahara | |
| 1975 | Desa Nisa Desa Nisa Desa Nisa is a 1972 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Joe Abeywickrema as Nirukada, an ugly man who worries that his blind wife will leave him if she regains her sight.... |
Nirudaka |
| 1976 | Wasana Wasana Wasana is a 1976 Sinhalese language romance film directed that follows the lives of middle class people in Sri Lanka. The film stars Geetha Kumarasinghe, Vijaya Kumaranatunga and Malini Fonseka made notable roles. Also this film was the cinema debut of popular Sri Lankan film actress Geetha... |
|
| 1976 | Madol Duwa Madol Duwa Madol Duwa is a 1976 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Ajith Jinadasa as Upali, a young rebellious youth who travels to a small island to get away from the restrictive society around him.... |
Headmaster |
| 1976 | Kolomba Sanniya Kolomba Sanniya Kolomba Sanniya is a 1976 Sinhalese language comedy film directed by Manik Sandrasagara that follows the lives of middle and upper class people in rural and urban Sri Lanka... |
Andare |
| 1976 | The God King The God King The God King is a 1974 British-Sri Lankan historical film directed by Lester James Peries. The film is based on the historical clash between brothers Kasyapa and Moggalana on Sigiriya Rock.... |
Swami |
| 1976 | Unnatha Dahai Malath Dahai | |
| 1976 | Onna Mame Kella Panapi | |
| 1977 | Hithuwoth Hithuwamai | |
| 1977 | Yali Ipade | |
| 1977 | Siripala Ha Ranmenika | |
| 1978 | Gehenu Lamai Gehenu Lamai Gehenu Lamai is a 1978 Sri Lankan drama movie directed by Sumitra Peries. It introduced actress Vasantha Chathurani and was a critical and box office success.-Plot:Kusum witnesses Nimal leading a procession into their village.... |
|
| 1978 | Siripathula | |
| 1978 | Selinage Walauwa | |
| 1978 | Sara | |
| 1978 | Veera Puran Appu | Gongalegoda Banda |
| 1978 | Bambaru Avith Bambaru Avith Bambaru Avith is a 1978 dramatic film made by Sri Lankan director Dharmasena Pathiraja. It explores tradition and exploitation following the introduction of capitalism to a tiny fishing village and the subsequent clash between the local boss and the urban outsider.-Plot:The film is set in a... |
Anton Aiya |
| 1978 | Sally | |
| 1978 | Kumara Kumariyo | Dharme |
| 1978 | Sandawata Rantharu | |
| 1979 | Jeewana Kandulu | |
| 1979 | Hingana Kolla | |
| 1979 | Raja Kollo | |
| 1979 | Wasanthe Dawasak | |
| 1979 | Visi Hathara Peya | |
| 1979 | Hari Pudumai | |
| 1980 | Tak Tik Tuk | |
| 1980 | Jodu Walalu | |
| 1980 | Ektem Ge | Wilson |
| 1980 | Seetha | |
| 1980 | Aadara Rathne | |
| 1980 | Siribo Aiya | Siribo Aiya |
| 1980 | Bambara Pahasa | |
| 1980 | Dandu Monara Dandu Monara Dandu Monara was a flying machine built by King Ravana . According to Hindu beliefs as told in the epic tale Ramayana, King Ravana used the "Dandu Monara" to abduct Queen Sita from Rama.... |
|
| 1980 | Muwan Pelessa 2 | |
| 1980 | Para Dige | |
| 1980 | Sinhabahu Sinhabahu Sinhabahu was father of Vijaya of Sri Lanka, the first Sinhalese King and king of Sinhapura.According to the Mahavamsa's folklore , Sinhabahu's father was a lion and his mother a princess of Kalinga... |
|
| 1981 | Kolam Karayo | |
| 1981 | Taranga | |
| 1981 | Baddegama Baddegama Baddegama is a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Lester James Peries that follows the lives of village people in British Colonial Sri Lanka. The film is based on the 1913 book The Village in the Jungle by Leonard Woolf. Sir Arthur C... |
Silindu |
| 1981 | Sayuru Thera | |
| 1981 | Soldadu Unnahe | Soldier |
| 1981 | Sathara Pera Nimithi | |
| 1981 | Pinhamy | |
| 1981 | Sathara Diganthaya | |
| 1982 | Thana Giravai | Doctor Siri |
| 1982 | Wathura Karaththaya | |
| 1982 | Major Sir | |
| 1982 | Kele Mal | |
| 1982 | Malata Noena Bambaru | Sunny |
| 1982 | Rail Paara | |
| 1982 | Kadaunu Poronduwa | |
| 1983 | Ran Mini Muthu | |
| 1983 | Sandamali | |
| 1983 | Sumithuro | |
| 1983 | Niliyakata Pem Kalemi | |
| 1983 | Samuganimi Ma Samiyani | |
| 1983 | Suboda | |
| 1983 | Muwan Pelessa 3 | |
| 1983 | Monara Thenna 2 | |
| 1983 | Peter of the Elephants | |
| 1983 | Muhudu Lihini | |
| 1984 | Shirani Shirani The Shirani are a Sarbanri Pashtun tribe, living in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They should not be confused with the Baloch Shirani, who live in Iran.-History:... |
|
| 1984 | Thaththai Puthai | |
| 1984 | Podi Ralahami | Podi Ralahami |
| 1984 | Sasara Chethana | |
| 1984 | Wadula | |
| 1984 | Hima Kathara | |
| 1984 | Sahodariyakage Kathawa | |
| 1985 | Suddilage Kathawa | Ex-Village Headman |
| 1986 | Maldeniye Simion | Simion |
| 1986 | Dev Duwa | Mohomed |
| 1986 | Pooja | Jamis (the excecutioner) |
| 1986 | Aadara Hasuna Aadara Hasuna Aadara Hasuna is a 1986 Sri Lankan film directed by H.D. Premaratne.-Cast:*Joe Abeywickrama ... Army officer*Vasanthi Chathurani*Trelicia Gunawardena ... Army officer's sister*Ravindra Randeniya... |
Army officer (Colonel) |
| 1987 | Viragaya | Aravinda's father |
| 1988 | Rasa Rahasak | Businessman |
| 1988 | Angulimala Angulimala Daku Angulimala is an important early figure in Buddhism, particularly within the Theravada suttas... |
Disapamok |
| 1990 | Palama Yata | Uncle |
| 1991 | Golu Muhude Kunatuwak | Podi Mahaththaya |
| 1991 | Cheriyo Doctor | Chief psychiatrist |
| 1991 | Sthree Sthree SThree is a British-based recruitment business. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:... |
Appuhamy |
| 1992 | Umayanganaya | The eldest brother |
| 1994 | Ambu Samiyo | Doctor |
| 1995 | Awaragira Awaragira Awaragira is a 1990 Sri Lankan film directed by Lester James Peries.-Cast:*Joe Abeywickrama ... K.B. Sethigala*Kamal Addaraarachchi ... Dayaweera*Sanoja Bibile ... Vinitha*Vasanthi Chathurani ... Vasantha*Lucky Dias ... Wickrama... |
K.B. Sethigala |
| 1995 | Cheriyo Captain | Captain Doson |
| 1996 | Hitha Honda Gahaniyek | |
| 1996 | Loku Duwa | Punna's father |
| 1996 | Cheriyo Darling | Chief psychiatrist |
| 1996 | Bithu Sithuwam | Senaka |
| 1997 | Suddu Akka | Blacksmith |
| 1998 | Vimukthi | |
| 2000 | Saroja | Indigenous doctor |
| 2001 | Pura Handa Kaluwara | Vannihamy |
| 2001 | Aswesuma Aswesuma Aswesuma is a 2001 Sri Lankan crime drama film starring Joe Abeywickrama, Sangeetha Weeraratne, and Jackson Anthony. The film was directed by Bennett Rathnayake and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Bombay International Film Festival.-Cast:... |
Guneris – old age |
| 2006 | Dheewari | Mudhalali |