Andara Vaas Patabedige Vincent (7 November 1922 – 6 May 2004 වින්සන්ට් වාස්), popularly known as Vincent Vaas was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema. Often considered one of the best character actors in Sinhala cinema, he made several critically acclaimed roles in a career spanned for more than five decades. Apart from cinema, he was also a singer and musician.

Personal life Vaas was born on 7 November 1922 in Beruwala, Kalutara, Sri Lanka as the seventh child in a family of nine siblings. His father Leon Vaas was a talented violinist. His mother Monica Fernando was a housewife. He studied at the Roman Catholic College in Beruwela.

He was married to Agnes Cooray where the wedding was celebrated in 1959. He first met her at the Wadduwa church. Vincent and Agnes are about 18 years apart. The couple has one sons: Milal and Chinthaka, and three daughters: Virani, Janaki and Inoka.

Chinthaka Vaas studied at Saint Joseph's College, Colombo and is also an actor who acted in the films: Aba, Address Na, Usaviya Nihadai, Ginnen Upan Seethala and television serials: Modara Bambaru, Golu Thaththa and Deyyange Rate. Chinthaka works at Lake House. Chinthaka is married to Asha Madushani. He met her while Chinthaka was singing in church. They have three children: Ginod Joseph, Minod Rafail, and Vindali Marieta.

Towards the end of his life, Vass and his family lived in a small house in Mahabudgamuwa. He died on 6 May 2004 at the age of 81.

Career He loved drama from the time he was at the school. He took to the streets by singing Christmas carols and gradually became a prominent actor in plays staged in the village huts including; Maraka Dayadaya, Sinhala Kolla and Yuddha Bhoomiya and Veniciye Welenda. However his father thought of rescuing his son from drama mania and sent him to a grocery store in Balangoda to gain experience in retail. After 10 months of being frustrated with the boring life at the grocery store, Vaas came back to the village to achieve his success in drama.

After few years, Benedict Fernando directed him to the performance on the public stage. He had the opportunity to act in the play Bhayanaka Mankollaya co-produced by Benedict Master and Matthias Fernando. It was during this time that Vass emerged as a singer. He received the opportunity to sing the songs Naade Naade, Vida Satana Maala, Ae Mal Uyane, Nimala Sri Saara in Radio Ceylon under the guidance of H. W.W. Rupasinghe and Tabla Master J. A. Podi Appuhamy.

Meanwhile, he met the musician R. Muttusamy who introduced Vass to cinema. Vaas made his debut cinema appearance in the film Ahankara Sthree directed with A. B. Raj with the popular role 'Juwan'. Then his notable role came through the film Sandesaya directed by Lester James Peries. In the film, he played as the 'Sandeshaya Carrier' who later became the prisoner of the Portuguese. Later, he has played a variety of roles in a number of films. In Duppathage Duka, he acted as IGP, a father in Vanamohini and as Muthusami, the boat owner in Ranmuthu Duwa. Then he played as Bandusena in Gatavarayo, as Vijaya's brother in Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, as Nade Guru in Christhu Charithaya, as Nadeeka's father in Vajira and as Kalang's father in Podi Wije and played as Vijay's father in Waradata Danduwam. In the film Uthumaneni directed by Gamini Fonseka, Vass acted as a bedridden paraplegic. From 1954 to 2004, he contributed with more than 70 films across many genre.

In 2002, he was awarded with Rana Thisara Lifetime Award at the 27th Sarasaviya Awards.

Filmography Year Film Roles Ref. 1954 Ahankara Sthree Juwan Appu 1956 Duppathage Duka 1957 Suraya 1958 Sepali 1958 Vana Mohini 1959 Sirimali Sirimali's Father 'Maha Rala' 1960 Sandesaya Sandeshaya Carrier 1960 Veera Vijaya 1962 Ranmuthu Duwa Muttusamy 1964 Getawarayo Bandusena 1964 Sasaraka Hati Siriwardena 1966 Senasili Suwaya Sumith's father 'Mudalithuma' 1968 Punchi Baba 1969 Surayangeth Suraya 1971 Haara Lakshe 1st beating pariticipant 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Vincent 1975 Suraya Surayamai David Appuhamy 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida Elizabeth's father 1977 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Vigilante leader 1977 Sikuru Dasava 1978 Veera Puran Appu Cruel Master 1978 Bambaru Avith Anton's friend 1979 Geheniyak Charlie 1979 Monarathenna 1980 Doctor Susanthaa 1980 Parithyagaya Anula's uncle 1980 Muwan Palessa 2 Mali's father 'Pincha Mama' 1980 Sankhapali 1980 Paara Dige 1980 Sinhabahu 1980 Uthumaneni 1981 Beddegama 1981 Valampuri Diver 1981 Vajira Mudalali 1981 Amme Mata Samawenna Vasantha's father 1981 Dayabara Nilu Kankanama 1982 Pethigomara Sudhira's father 1982 Ridee Nimnaya 1982 Sithara 1983 Ran Mini Muthu 1983 Niliyakata Pem Kalemi Music master 1983 Subodha 1983 Hasthi Viyaruwa Korala 1983 Sister Mary Caretaker 1983 Hithath Hondai Wedath Hondai 1983 Muhudu Lihini 1984 Walle Thanu Maliga Peduru 1984 Deveni Gamana 1984 Podi Ralahamy Siyadoris 1984 Namal Renu 1984 Hima Kathara 1985 Araliya Mal Veda Mahathaya 1986 Maldeniye Simion Gammuladani 1986 Devuduwa 1986 Aadara Hasuna Andiris 1987 Podi Vijay 1987 Obatai Priye Adare Mudalali 1989 Waradata Danduwam 1990 Pem Rajadahana 1990 Christhu Charithaya Vandana Nadaya leader 1991 Dolosmahe Pahana 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya 1992 Salli Thibunata Madi 1992 Suranimala 1992 Sathya 1992 Rajek Wage Puthek 1994 Mawubime Veerayo 1995 Demodara Palama Simon 1995 Chandani Gunapala 1995 Ayoma 1996 Sathi 1996 Amanthaya 1997 Puthuni Mata Wasana 1997 Raagaye Unusuma 1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k

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