Hettiarachchige Don Marcus Conrad Senarathna Samaranayake (born 8 April 1914 – died 4 June 2000 as මාක් සමරනායක) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Mark Samaranayake, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama. One of the earliest pillars in Sinhala cinema, Samaranayake acted in several critically acclaimed films such as Peralena Iranama, Perakadoru Bena, Kapati Arakshakaya, Duppathage Duka, and Daivayogaya.

Personal life He was born on 8 April 1914 in Weliveriya, Gampaha, as the fifth child in a family with eight siblings. His father, Charles Samaranayake, was a notary, and his mother, Dona Isabella Perera, was a housewife. He had three elder sisters, Josephine, Harriet, and Lori; an elder brother, George; two sisters, Ellison and Marie; and a younger brother, Benedict. His father died when Mark was a child.

He received his primary education at the Sinhala School in Weliweriya and then went to Saint Joseph's College, Colombo, for secondary education. Famous actor Laddie Ranasinghe was his classmate. In their youth, Mark and Laddie attended St. Aloysius Seminary, where his father dedicated Mark to the church.

In 1950, he married Pearl Jayawardena, a fellow actress. The couple had two daughters, Shirani and Damayanthi, and one son, Tiron. His eldest daughter, Shirani, died at a hospital in Paris in February 2014. She was a mother of three who made a minor role in the film Duppathage Duka as a child artist in 1956. Her funeral took place on 15 February 2014 in Paris.

He died on 4 June 2000 at the age of 86 after a severe illness.

Career At the age of 14, the college held an open singing competition, where Mark became the winner and Laddie became the runner-up. After school, Mark worked as an assistant agricultural inspector in the Army. During this period in 1945, he met Laddie by accident in Pettah. Laddie invited Mark to join in his stage drama. He accepted the offer, went to the Arcadian Drama Club in Borella, and acted in the play Mathabhedaya. After that, Mark also formed the Drama Society called 'Lunuwila Victory' in 1946 and produced three stage plays: Andha Aalaya, Wasanawa, and Aladdin. He later made a play called Riyadura, co-starring Josephine Jayalath, the elder sister of popular actress Florida Jayalath.

When the play Riyadura was performed in Negombo, famous artists Rukmani Devi and Eddie Jayamanne of the then Minerva Drama Troupe participated in watching the play. Later in the day, he was invited to meet Eddie and Rukmani at their home in Bolavalana. Then, Eddie introduced Mark to filmmaker B. A. W. Jayamanne. Jayamanne casts Mark as the school inspector in his 1948 film Kapati Arakshakaya.

After the success of the film, he was selected for many films. In 1949, he played Rukmani's 'evil husband' in Peralena Iranama. Then, he became the 'Hetti' in Weradunu Kurumanama (1948) and 'carpenter' in Perakadoru Bena in 1955. Then, his notable acting came as an arrogant woman, a 'cunning magician' in Ahankara Sthree, and Buddhi in Matalan in 1955. In 1956, he made his most dramatic character 'Inspector Jayasinghe' in the film Duppathage Duka. In the film, his friend Laddie acts as the main antagonist 'Baladeva' and his wife, Pearl, as 'Baladeva's sister.' His acting in the film is rated as one of the best earliest performances in Sinhala cinema.

In his last years, he played several characters of an elderly father in film such as Thushara, Sahanaya, Me Desa Kumatada, and Aege Adara Kathawa. As an assistant director, he was involved in Siriyalatha, Daivayogaya, and Magul Poruwa films. His portrayal of the elderly ascetic 'Ruchika' in Daivayogaya was critically acclaimed. He last acted in the film Viyaru Minisa in 1992. Later, in 1997, he was honored with the "Swarna Jayanthi" Award for contributing to Sinhala cinema at the 11th Presidential Award.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1948 Kapati Arakshakaya School Inspector 1948 Weradunu Kurumanama Hettaiyya 1949 Peralena Iranama Arrogant husband 1951 Segawunu Pilithura Douglas 1952 Umathu Wishwasaya Buddhi 1953 Prema Tharangaya Wickrama 1953 Puduma Leli Doctor Appu Hamy LLMS 1954 Ahankara Sthree Professor Surasena F.R.O.G. 1955 Mathabhedaya Podi Mahathaya 1955 Mathalan Buddhi 1955 Perakadory Bena Hector Sathurusinghe 1956 Dosthara Dharme 1956 Duppathage Duka Inspector Jayasinghe 1957 Surasena Inspector 1957 Ramyalatha Sunny 1957 Siriyalatha Victor Gunasekera 1958 Sepali 1959 Daivayogaya Ruwaka 1963 Mangalika 1964 Samiya Birindage Deviyaya 1965 Landaka Mahima 1966 Mahadena Muththa 6th member identifier 1967 Hitha Giya Thena 1967 Pipena Kumudu Doctor Gunawansa 1967 Rahas Dupatha 1967 Magul Poruwa 1968 Dehadaka Duka Kiri Banda 1969 Pickpocket Abusive Shopkeeper 1969 Pancha 1971 Sahanaya 1972 Me Desa Kumatada Mudalithuma' 'Hamu Mahthaya 1973 Thushara Loku Mahathaya 'Douglas' 1973 Hondai Narakai 1974 Sheela Mr. Gunawardena 1974 Shanthi 1974 Lasanda Amaris 1975 Raththaran Amma 1976 Kawuda Raja Pinhamy 1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa 1976 Hariyata Hari Mr. Gunathilake 'Loku Mahathaya' 1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Babanis 1976 Ran Thilaka 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida Mudalali 1977 Yali Ipade 1977 Chandi Putha 1977 Aege Adara Kathawa 1978 Apsara 1979 Minisun Athara Minisek 1979 Hingana Kolla Lawyer 1979 Akke Mata Awasara Garden owner 1979 Sawudan Jema 1980 Bambara Pahasa Suraweera 1981 Ajasaththa Wasala Maha Amathi 1981 Geethika Mr. Samaranayake 1981 Anjaana 1982 Wathura Karaththaya Judge 1983 Sister Mary Bishop 1984 Jaya Sikurui 1985 Rosy 1986 Jaya Apatai 1987 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada 1987 Obatai Priye Adare Grandfather 1988 Sandakada Pahana 1988 Angulimala 1989 Mamai Raja Murdered girl's father 1991 Raja Kello 1991 Raja Sellam 1992 Suwandena Suwandak 1992 Viyaru Minisa

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