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Tennyson Cooray

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Merengnnage Edward Tennyson Cooray (සිංහල:මෙරෙඤඤගේ එඩ්වඩ් ටෙනිසන් කුරේ) (30 April 1952 – 28 September 2020) was an actor and comedian in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.[1][2] One of the most popular comedians ever in Sinhala cinema with a career spanned more than three decades,[3][4] Cooray was best known for comedy roles in several blockbuster film franchises such as Re Daniel Dawal Migel, Cheriyo, Peralikarayo, Wada Bari Tarzan as well as Somy Boys.[5][6] In addition to acting, he also worked as a director and scriptwriter, singer, and lyrics writer.[7]

Tennyson Cooray
ටෙනිසන් කුරේ
Born
Merengnnage Edward Tennyson Cooray

(1952-04-30)30 April 1952
Weligama, Matara, Sri Lanka
Died28 September 2020(2020-09-28) (aged 68)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Actor, Screenplay Writer, Film Director, Producer
Years active1981–2020
SpouseMalsiri Eranjani
Children1
AwardsBest Comedian
Notes
Received first award for his performances on stage and on screen from RavsFM.com Australia in the year 2009

Personal life

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He was born on 30 April 1952 in Weligama, Matara as the second of the family to a Catholic father and Buddhist mother. His father Merengnnage Edgar Stanley Arthur Cooray, who worked at Gamini Bus Company, learned to be a pastor for some time and also was a great reader of good English literature.[8] His mother, Herath Mudiyanselage Ran Menika was a housewife. He studied at Kesebewa Junior School for primary education and then attended Willorawatta Protestant Catholic Mixed School also known as Moratuwa Methodist College. He only graduated Ordinary Level examination. He had one elder sister and a younger brother. When he was about ten years old, they used to go to the temple with mother on Poya day as well as to church on Sundays.[9] Tennyson, who had previously attended an automotive course, later worked as a ship mechanic.[10]

He was married to Malsiri Eranjani and the couple had one daughter, Madhumihiri, who is a teacher at Bishop’s College.[11] Madhumihiri is married to Chathuranga Fernando, a businessman. They have one son, Chandru Mithushka and one daughter, Mindri.[8]

On 28 September 2020, Cooray died at the National Hospital in Colombo at the age of 68 due to a sudden heart attack.[12][13] Remains were laid at Tennyson's House, 79/1, Willorawatta, Moratuwa for two days. The body was taken to the Rawathawatte Methodist Church at 4 pm and the final rites were performed at the cemetery on 1 October 2020.[14][15]

Career

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At adolescent age, he performed at church festivals for about eight years with his friend Percy. Then he went to several drama interviews to take an opportunity to act in movies, but could not get a chance due to his appearance. Totally disappointed, one day his father told him that 'if you want to act, you can do a play that suits you'. Then he made a Vesak drama called Apaaye Thappara 1800.[9] The play was intended to make people afraid to sin. He also administered the sound. It was shown about 35 times outside the Moratuwa area. (It was directed by Dinesh Priyasad in the 1990s as a film starring Gamini Fonseka in the lead role and the dialogues and screenplay by Tennyson). In 1971, he made a short film called "Hada Aedi Siththam". There he met Giwantha Arthasad and Bermin Lyle Fernando.[10]

He began his career as a stage performer in a passion play staged at Moratumulla Church directed by Rev. Theodore H Perera. He 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.[11] His maiden cinema acting came through Jeewanthi directed by Hemasiri Sellapperuma. His career completely changed when he met Giwantha Arthasad's younger brother, Dinesh Priyasad. The two did a little experiment together where they made a short film called "Action".[10]

Cooray debuted in Sinhala cinema as a screenwriter in Dinesh Priyasad's directorial debut Nommara Ekai. He wrote the story and screenplay, as well as acted in the film. Producing the 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 to write a script, thinking like a main actor in the film. He asked for a chance to play the main character. Athapaththu refused because Cooray was a newcomer in the industry. and he wasn't ready to take a risk. Anyhow, he got a chance to perform a minor role in the film.[8] Then Tennyson wrote the plot of the blockbuster hit Peralikarayo which was not only the most popular film of 1986, but also the highest grossing film of that year.[10]

During Peralikarayo, Tennyson and Priyasad met Vijaya Kumaratunga. Later, they involved in Kumaratunga's first film production Waradata Danduwama. Later he got a chance to be the script writer for Priyasad's blockbuster hit Demodara Palama, where he played the role 'Vali Cooray' opposite to Gamini Fonseka.[16] Priyasad's film Hithata Dukak Nathi Miniha was a film that pulls aside the acting style of Tenny where his ability for those adventurous scenes is highlighted in the film. He performed well not only in cinema but also on stage with the popular stage plays Man The Man, Captain Cool, Sivamma Dhanapala and I am Sri Lanka. In each of these stage plays, he discusses the issues and problems of the society in a humorous manner, tries to make the audience laugh as well as try to draw the audience's attention to the issues of the country.[10]

He produced Akikaru Puthraya, the first Christian 16 mm Sinhala film and then he produced three stage dramas;[11] Kurulla, Man The Man and I am Sri Lanka.[17][18] He has also appeared in comedy films with fellow actor Bandu Samarasinghe on numerous occasions, including Re Daniel Dawal Migel, Cheriyo, Kolompoor, Parliament Jokes, and Somy Boys.[8] All the films were blockbuster hits where as Bandu-Tenny duo made a comedy cinema wave during 1990s and early new millennium.

Around 2010, the Sarasaviya newspaper published a series of weekly Q&A articles with Tennyson under the title 'Tennysongen Ahanna'. It was a popular feature in the newspaper at the time. His answers to the questions posed by readers are hilarious. He has acted only a handful of television serials as he personally disliked acting in teledramas and preferred to be involved in major productions such as films.[10]

Cooray wrote the story for Priyasad's Kolompoor and acted with Bandu, which became a blockbuster in that year. In 2001, Tennyson made his maiden cinema direction with the comedy film Thank You Berty.[19][20] He also acted in the film along with longtime friend Bandu Samarasinghe. Apart from that, he also directed the home movie Eya Thamai Meya in 2015.[21] In 2011, he went to the United Kingdom for a series of concerts organized by UK charity '1+1=1'.[22]

In 2018, Tennyson acted in the film Yama Raja Siri with Bandu for the first time in 10 years.[23] In the same year, he acted in the comedy theater play Reliy Remix produced by Sisil Gunasekara.[24] Later, he won the award for the Best Comedian at 2018 Derana Lux Film Awards for the film Kota Uda Express.[25]

Selected stage plays

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  • Captain Cool
  • I am Sri Lanka [26]
  • Kurulla
  • La Rosa [27]
  • Man The Man [27]
  • Reliy Remix
  • Sivamma Dhanapala [28]
  • Tarzan The Baba

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes
1981 Jeewanthi maiden cinema acting
1986 Peralikarayo Tenny film's scriptwriter
1987 Nommara Ekai Koka Khan film's scriptwriter
1987 Obatai Priye Adare Anta film's scriptwriter
1988 Chandingeth Chandiya
1990 Sambudu Mahima
Hondin Nathnam Narakin
Pem Raja Dahana Guru's ally
Esala Sanda Don Frank Peter Anderson
Honda Honda Sellam Tenny
Cheriyo Doctor Attendant
1991 Alibaba Saha Horu 40
1992 Singha Raja
Sinhayageth Sinhaya
Ranabime Weeraya
Malsara Doni A. Linganadan
1993 Come or Go Chicago Harrah the Karrah
Vijay Saha Ajay
1994 Love 94 Ballpoint
1995 Cheriyo Captain Bantum
1995 Demodara Palama Wali Cooray Story theme [29]
1996 Cheriyo Darling Doctor Dunath Mala 'D. M' [30]
1998 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1 Migel
1999 Kolompoor Thadawansa plays seven different roles
Nagaran Lakiya
2000 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 Migel [31]
2001 Pissu Pusoo
Jonsun and Gonsun Jonson
Kolamba Koloppan Tenny
2002 Parliament Jokes P.K Amaris
Somy Boys Bean
Love 2002 Tom
Seethala Gini Kandu Tamil policeman
2003 Aladinge Waldin Aladdin 'Dean Martin'
Taxi Driver
Hitha Honda Pisso Sunny
Vala In London Valentine 'Vala' / Professor Serpentine
2004 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 3 008 / Migel
Ohoma Harida Sathyapala
Clean Out Bookie
2005 James Bond Jamies
2007 Jundai Gundai Gunda
Hai Master
Weda Beri Tarzan Tarzan / Mesan dual role
2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela
2010 Hadawatha Mal Yayai
Ape Yalu Punchi Boothaya Jeevan Gurunnanse guest appearance
Wada Bari Tarzan Mathisabayata Tarzan
2011 Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada Nahi Sanath Perera
Thank You Berty Berty Cooray's first directorial role
2012 Jeevithe Lassanai Kalyana / Ku.Ku.La (Kude Kudu Laos)
2013 Ranja Johnny
2014 Supiri Andare Andare / Gulliver Dual Role
Parapura Dilanga's friend Minor role
2015 Singa Machan Charlie Charlie
Eya Thamai Meya[32] Roma Second directorial role, Home Movie
2017 Kota Uda Express Weere
Devani Warama John
2018 Yama Raja Siri Martin [33]
2019 Nathi Bari Tarzan[34] Tarzan
Thiththa Aththa Walisinghe's secretary [35]
Sikuru Yogaya Koha [36]
Jaya Sri Amathithuma Secretary Silva
TBA Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya † [37]
Ugulai Magulai † [38][39]

References

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  1. ^ "Actors in Sinhala cinema - Tenison Cooray ටෙනිසන් කුරේ". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Actor Tennyson Cooray". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Two eras: Laughing pattern – I have not even received a certificate of merit". Divaina. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Golden Stars with the Golden Chimes". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  6. ^ "Goodbye Teni". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  7. ^ "22 years of MAF". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  8. ^ a b c d "Career of Tennison Cooray". Rate Gossip. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  9. ^ a b "I'm an actor from hell". Silumina. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Dear Tenny, who closed his eyes and smiled". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  11. ^ a b c "A serious chat with Tennyson Cooray". The Nation. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  12. ^ "End of an Era : Tennyson Cooray no more". News First.
  13. ^ "Tennyson Cooray bids farewell to life". Hiru News. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Final rites of actor Tennyson Cooray on Thursday". Ada Derana. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Tenny is on his final journey this evening". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  16. ^ "We are also charismatic actors". Divaina. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  17. ^ "Tenny with I am Sri Lanka". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  18. ^ "I am Sri Lanka". Daily News. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  19. ^ "A serious chat with Tennyson Cooray". Nation.lk. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  20. ^ "Tenny brings 'Thank you Berty'". Daily News. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Tennyson Cooray re-directed 'Eya Thamai Meya'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Tenny off to UK". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  23. ^ "'Yama Raja Siri' in cinemas island wide". Divaina. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Tenny makes the whole country laugh again". Deshaya. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Who bang awards for comics". Ada. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  26. ^ "Birth is between calamities – The policy or the catastrophe is". Divaina. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  27. ^ a b "'Man the Man' on open stage". Daily News. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  28. ^ "One hundred year old Sivamma Dhanapala on stage again". Divaina. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  29. ^ "'Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Cheriyo Darling - චෙරියෝ ඩාලින්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Daniel and Migel appear again". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Tenny into direction again". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  33. ^ "Director in many roles". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  34. ^ "No creepers al all". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  35. ^ "The story of Walisinghe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Sikuru Yogaya coming tomorrow". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  37. ^ "Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya in post productions". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  38. ^ "Ugulai Magulai starts". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  39. ^ "The tale of Senaka - Ugulai Magulai". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
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