We lost a gem of an artist | RIP Mr. Jackson Anthony

Well, there are some voids that are irreplaceable for even a lifetime. Mr. Jackson Anthony who passed away on 9 October 2023 is such kind of person in Sri Lanka cinema, theatre, and many other fields. He is an extraordinary icon with full versatility and is widely known for his multi-talent. He had a God-given gift to effortlessly deliver any kind of role in all three formats theatre, television, and films.

After a tragic incident in July 2022, he was treated in the ICU of Colombo National Hospital for around 500 days. Eventhough small controversies happened in the latter part of his life with or without his consent, they are nothing to hail, and remember his legacy and service to the industry!!

Rest In Peace Maestro!!!

From Facebook

Well as I said he is a multitalented figure!! He is an actor (theatre, television, and films), a director, Creative director, producer, Singer, Painter, Dancer, Lyricist, writer, Dubbing artist, Television host, Historian, and Traveler. One can engage in various fields, but this guy is just extraordinary and has mastered all those areas. Without a doubt, he is the best in our generation, probably at the top of all time. He has won 16 times as the best actor in his career.

Some of his awards and achievements to get the real picture

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Best Actor

• Stage drama - 1980 (), 1983 (Methanin Maruwenu, best-supporting actor), 1986 (Maratsade), 1987 (Maratsade)
• Television - 1987 (Kadulla), 1991 (Kadulla), 1996 (Akhala Sandyaa, Award of Excellence for Acting), 1997 (Pitagamkarayo), 2014 (Appachchi,
• Films - 1995 (Punuruppaththiya), 1997 (Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli), 1996 (Loku Duwa), 1997 (Bawa Karma & Bawa Duka), 2002- Agnidaahaya, 2005 - Randiya Dahara, Garilla Marketing - Outstanding Performance, 2004 (Randiya Dahara), 2005 (Milla Soya), 2015 (Maharaja Gemunu), Presidential Awards for Bawa Duka, Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli, Aswesuma, Sooriya Arana, Garilla Marketing, 2016 (Address Na), 2018 (Dharmayuddhaya), 2019 (Vishama Bhaga) at Asian Film Festival and Fox International Film Festival.

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As a director

• Stage Drama - 1996 (Julietge Bhoomikawa)
• Televison - Daskon (2016, Best Teledrama, Best Teledrama Director, Best Teledrama Script, See Raja ( 2018, Best Teledrama Director, Best Teledrama Script)
• Films - Aba (2007, People's Film of the Year)

Award of Excellence for Media - 2002 (Maha Sinhale Wansakathawa), 2008 (Neighbor Talks)
The Best Magazine Program - 2008 , Ganga Dige
The Best Television Presenter - 2006
The Best Television Programme - 2006 (Maha Sinhale Wansakathawa)
People's Artist of the Year - 2007,2019
source

So, as you can see he doesn't just engage in different areas, but a man who conquered those fields. His versatile acting in all three media is a testimony to his caliber. But what he did to our entertainment field is just more than that. And above award ceremonies are some of the prestige events, I have to say.

Once I remember he came to my school for a cultural program. Mr. Neville Dias Subasinghe was a teacher at my school at that time and he was one of Jackson's early teachers and performed in his Vaaruwen Yana Minissu and Manavayo stage dramas. Jackson humbly worshipped him on the stage.

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Most of his roles are top-notch and I am pleased to watch. One of his greatest works is Akala Sandhya teledrama. It's one of Sri Lanka's best teledrama and I recommend you all to watch it. While watching Awaare Siripa, Ganga Dige, and Maha Sinhalaye Wanshakatha as a child, I realized his enthusiasm for nature, history, Buddhism, Sri Lankan culture, wildlife, and traveling. And I was just thrilled to watch those documentaries. He is one of the few educated artists in Sri Lanka, just a walking library. When we watched him as Sedaris at the Soorriya Arana as a kid he was the villain at first and now I understand what he was saying at that time about killing a tusker. When he was performing as the gentle lover in Kusa Pabha, in his fifties it was just as romantic as a general young actor. I can continue this very long as I am following most of his works like Daskon, Pitagmakarayo, Loku Duva, Gini Avi and Gini Keli, Agnidahaya, Abha, Address Na, Dharmayuddaya, Guerrilla Marketing and the list goes on.

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Some of his songs and stage performances

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It's still just like a shock to see him go as there are plenty more that we could gather and have from him. I still feel that he couldn't get good international recognition but he could have done that. But that's what life is. Anyway, the big roots of the Sri Lankan cinema industry have passed away recently like Mr. Jayalath Manorathna, Wijaya Nandasiri, etc. is a huge shock personally.

So, Rest in Peace Legend!! Your contributions and legacy will remain forever in our hearts!! You will be an inspiration for many generation ahead!!

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Until the next time! Enjoy!

Thank you.
Best Regards!