Haupe Liyanage Athukorala Morris Joseph Ranabahu, (born 18 May 1938 – died 29 October 2001: ), popularly as Freddie Silva, was a Sri Lankan film actor, and playback singer, who appeared from 1963 until 2001. Freddie was known for being one of the most popular Sri Lankan comedians of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in over 400 films and Produced 2 films, of which 300 were screened at the celebration of fifty years in Sinhala Cinema.

Early life

Silva was born on 18 May 1938 in Puvakaramba, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka as the only child of the family. Silva's father was an overseer for the Moratuwa Urban Council and his mother was a member of Salvation Army. Growing up he was fascinated with singing and dancing. St. Sebastian's College was his Alma mater.

Music career

In the 1950s Silva performed the Alanson Mendis composition "Bar Bar Bar" in front of Sir John Kotelawala and was warmly received. He used this opportunity to get a letter of recommendation from Kotelawala which he presented to Livy Wijemanne of Radio Ceylon to secure a job as a radio artist. Silva's first recording was "Mottapala." He followed the song with "Bar Bar Bar" now updated with music by P. L. A. Somapala. It was a success. Subsequent efforts teamed Silva with the late Premakirthi de Alwis. Their work include comedic songs like "Aron Mama", "Pankiritta", "Nedeyo", "Handa Mama", "Kekille Rajjuruwo" and "Parana Coat" (from Lokuma Hinawa). Silva's crowning achievement is considered the tune "Kundumani."

Acting career

Silva got his first screen role through a chance meeting with K. A. W. Perera in 1963. At that time he was living with H. R. Jothipala and Roy de Silva and frequented parties as a guest entertainer. Perera cast Silva in Suhada Sohoyuro alongside L. S. Ramachandran and Vijitha Mallika. He appeared at a dance on the beach singing "Diya Rella Werale Hapi Hapi" with Pushparani and went on to be cast in mainly comedic roles. The serious side of Silva was seen in Sekaya (1965), Lasanda (1974) and Sukiri kella (1975). In the 1975 film he played a mentally handicapped character and in preparation for the role lived with a real handicapped boy in Koralawella. By the 1980s, producers were reluctant to make a film without Silva fearing that the movie would flop. He was then living an extravagant life and saved little. In 1989 Silva was awarded the Ranathisara award by leading film weekly Sarasaviya. A turning moment came when his friend Vijaya Kumaratunga (who he appeared alongside in ten films the last being Yukthiyada Shakthiyada) was murdered. He cites this event as leading to the downfall of cinema. Still Silva stayed busy appearing in 15 of the 26 films made in 1992.

Personal life

Freddie Silva was a father of four children from his two marriages to Kamala Swarnalatha Perera and chithra Herath. His first son Janesh Silva was also an actor and a singer.> Freddie's first marriage daughter Chandani Silva is a singer and actress. Janesh Silva was born on 26 January 1962 and attended to Carey College for studies. He was married to Hemamala and they have one son Janith Silva. Janesh died on June 10, 2012, while he was taking medical treatment for cancer. Janesh Silva is known as a comedian that acted in 10+ films. Freddie Silva died on 29 October 2001 in Siddamulla at the age of 63.

Filmography

As producer

Songs