Joe Abeywickrama

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
bgcolour=silver
name = Joe Abeywickrama
birthdate = June 13, 1933
location = flagicon|Sri Lanka Lellopitiya, Sri Lanka
notable role = Saraiya in "Saravita"
Vannihamy in "Pura Handa Kaluwara"
Silindu in "Baddegama"

Gamini Patibadage Don John "Joe" Abeywickrama (born June 13, 1933) is a Sri Lankan actor. He began acting in 1957 and achieved fame as a comedic actor. Since 1965, Abeywickrama has also done dramatic roles. [http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/mar2000/pras-m01.shtml "The struggle of the common man for self-dignity is very profound"] . "World Socialist Web Site". Retrieved December 18 2006.]

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"). [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0008704/awards "Awards for Joe Abeywickrama"] . "Internet Movie Database Inc". Retrieved December 18 2006.]

Life and career

Early life

Abeywickrama was born in Lellopitiya (near Ratnapura), 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.cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/981115/plus3.html|title=Meet Joe Abeywickrema, the writer|accessdate=2007-05-19|date=1998|publisher=Sunday Times]

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".cite web|url=http://www.nation.lk/2006/11/05/eyefea3.htm|title=Face of a thousand expressions|accessdate=2007-05-19|date=2006|publisher=The Nation]

Film actor

Abeywickrama first notable role was in "Saradama" as an eccentric police officer who collected ants. 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.

Author

Abeywickrama published his first novel "Maha Bambata Muhunu Dekai" in 1972.

Filmography

Film

References

External links

* [http://www.srilankafilmcorp.com Official Website - National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka]