Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando (; 25 August 194029 April 2020) was a Sri Lankan actor and stunt director in Sinhala cinema. Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Fernando acted in over 120 Sinhala films, six Tamil films, and one English film.

Personal life Fernando was born on 25 August 1940 in Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo. He was educated at St. Benedict's College, Colombo, and St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13. He was an excellent athlete in wrestling, boxing and swimming during his school years. At the age of 15, he became a member of the Armstrong Wrestling Club, Kotahena. He contested for the Western Province Schools wrestling championship and finished as the runner-up. In addition, he trained in karate, judo and physical fitness. In 1959, after his senior level examination, he joined the harbour authority as a tele-clerk. He gained fame as the undefeated national wrestling champion in 1961 and represented Sri Lanka at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. Fernando qualified for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and also participated in the 1966 Bangkok Nippon Asian Games. He later lost the opportunity to participate in several global sports tournaments due to a knee injury. He is the only actor in Sri Lanka to have represented his country in sports.

During his acting career, Fernando served as a sports adviser for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). He won an award from the Ministry of Sports in 2009 for his contribution to sport.

Fernando was married to Anoma Lumbini from 1978. The couple had two daughters – Anushka and Asha – and one son – Anojan Sudharshana. He resided with his wife at No. 103, Nathuduwa, Kelaniya.

Fernando died on 29 April 2020, aged 79.

Cinema career Fernando started in drama by acting in Tamil stage plays. He acted in the plays Shalomi and Julius Caesar.

Fernando's maiden cinema acting came through 1963 film Wena Swargayak Kumatada? directed by T. Somasekaran. He served in a stunt role for Henry Jayasena in that film, even though his fight scene was eventually removed from the film. Then he continued to act in several commercial films in lead roles, including Haara Lakshaya, Sri Madara, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Saradielge Putha and Pasa Mithuro. Fernando was a close friend of popular singer H. R. Jothipala, cinematographer Lenin Moraes and the dancer Ronald Fernando.

In 1963, fellow stuntman and actor Robin Fernando invited him to act in the film Ruhunu Kumari directed by W. M. S. Tampoe. In the meantime, he acted in films Ataweni Pudumaya (1968) and Kohomada Wade (1969). He was brought to Hendala Vijaya Studios by film actor Senadheera Rupasinghe to act in the film Ataweni Pudumaya. His film Ruhunu Kumari also came out at that time. After the film became very popular, actor Joe Abeywickrama introduced him to veteran filmmaker Titus Thotawatte to act in the film Haara Lakshaya. In addition to its fighting scenes, his character included many lines of dialogue, the first time that Fernando provided dialogue in a film.

In 1972, Fernando acted in seven Sinhala films. In 1973, Sathischandra Edirisinghe handed over the stunt direction to his film Matara Achchi. Fernando joined with Edirisinghe for the film Sri Madara in 1977, as the lead actor. He also had the opportunity to act in a major role in the 1974 film Sahayata Danny directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara. During many villainous roles in the films, he acted opposite Gamini Fonseka in fight scenes. In one instance, he was injured by Gamini and could not open his eyes for three days.

In 1976, Fernando acted as the titular character in the film Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe. During this time, he had the opportunity to play several stage plays under the guidance of Anthony C. Perera and Jayamuni Nimal Silva. In 1983, he acted in the film Pasa Mithuro alongside Mervyn Jayathunga directed by Ananda Hewage. This film was a turning point in his film career, where he performed a realistic role as a Tamil prisoner. In 1984, Fernando won the Presidential Award for this role.

In many films, Sonia Disa played the lover of Fernando's characters. They acted together in many films including Sahayata Danny, Sri Madara, Aege Adara Kathawa, Kawuda Raja and Harima Badu Thunak.

Fernando also acted in Tamil films Yar Aval, Engleil Oruvan, Nangu Lechchami, Rattathi Thirtemme, and the English film Reincarnation.

Filmography and stunt coordination

Year Film Roles Ref. 1963 Wena Swargayak Kumatada? 1968 Ruhunu Kumari 1968 Ataweni Pudumaya 1969 Kohomada Wade 1969 Surayangeth Suraya 1969 Uthum Sthriya 1969 Praweshamwanna Kidnapping assailant 1970 Dan Mathakada Dommie's henchman 1970 Athma Pooja 1970 Ohoma Hondada 1971 Haara Lakshaya Weerey 1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Garage fighter 1971 Samanala Kumariyo 1972 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama Predo 1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Alex 1972 Singapore Charlie 1972 Ada Mehemai Assaulted thief 1972 Hithaka Pipunu Mal 1972 Veeduru Gewal Alex 1972 Miringuwa 1973 Matara Achchi City bouncer 1973 Suhada Pethuma 1973 Aparadaha Saha Danduwama 1973 Thushara Alex 1973 Gopalu Handa 1973 Hondama Welawa 1973 Dahakin Ekek Dhamme 1973 Hondata Hondai Alex 1974 Ahas Gauwa Japana's leader 1974 Sheela Kidnapper 1974 Senakeliya 1974 Sahayata Danny Samanthe 1974 Mehema Harida 1974 Rodi Gama Game Dimitiya 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Club molestor 1975 Amaraneeya Adare 1975 Lassana Kella Vicky 1975 Kokilayo 1975 Suraya Surayamai Money offerer 1975 Ranwan Rekha 1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo Alex 1975 Sikuruliya Bertie's henchman 1975 Sadhana 1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya 1976 Kawuda Raja Sena 1976 Harima Badu Thunak Bennet Mahathaya 1976 Loka Horu 1976 Adarei Man Adarei 1976 Saradielge Putha Sira 'Siri' 'Saradiyelge Putha' 1977 Sri Madara Susil Weeratunga 1977 Aege Adara Kathawa Siripala 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Dekkey Kanuwa 1977 Neela 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida? 1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai 1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Sunder 1977 Sajaa 1977 Yakadaya Chaubey 1978 Sithaka Suwanda Thug 1978 Seetha Devi 1978 Celinage Walawwa 1978 Sally 1978 Apsara 1978 Sandawata Rantharu 1978 Hitha Mithura Michael 1979 Sawudan Jema Uranius 1979 Subhani 1979 Hari Pudumai Bandu 1979 Samanmali Village lover 1979 Visihathara Peya Thanthu 1980 Anuhasa 1980 Doctor Susantha 1980 Raktha Kopitha 1980 Api Dedena 1980 Hondin Inna 1982 Rahasak Nathi Rahasak 1982 Sithara 1983 Thunhiri Mal 1983 Menik Maliga 1983 Samanala Sihina 1983 Pasa Mithuro Velu 1984 Thaththai Puthai Samson 'Paul' 1984 Batti 1984 Shirani 1984 Niwan Dakna Jathi Dakwa 1984 Birinda 1985 Araliya Mal Henchman 1985 Channai Kello Dennai 1985 Miss Lanka 1986 Maldeniye Simion Mahumahale Mudalali 1986 Jaya Apatai 1986 Sura Saradiel 1987 Kele Kella 1988 Wana Rejina 1988 Ko Hathuro 1989 Badulu Kochchiya 1990 Christhu Charithaya Nikandevumas 1992 Rupathiyay Neethiyay 1994 Jayagrahanaya 1995 Hitha Honda Surayo 1996 Obatai Me Aradhana 1997 Aege Wairaya 2 1997 Ninja Sri Lanka 1998 Sathutai Kirula Ape 1998 Yudha Gini Meda Doctor Anand Rajaratnam 1999 Unusum Rathriya Inspector Wimal 1999 Akunu Pahara 1999 Koti Sana 2000 Salupata Ahasata 2 2000 Aege Wairaya 4 Mark 2001 Kolomba Koloppan 2002 Kama Suthra John 2003 Aege Daiwaya 2003 Hitha Honda Pisso Dayapala 'Daya' 2005 Seethala Hadu 2006 Supiri Balawatha 2007 First Love Pooja 2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela 2011 Putha Mage Suraya

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