Alexander Fernando

Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando, (born in 25 August 1940 as ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු [Sinhala]), popularly as Alexander Fernando, is a Sri Lankan film actor, and stunt director. Considered as one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Fernando has acted in over 120 Sinhala films, six Tamil films and one English film.

Alexander 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 also an excellent student of wrestling, boxing and swimming in school times. At the age of 15, he become a member of the ‘Armstrong Wrestling Club’, Kotahena. Then he contested for the Western Province Schools wrestling championship and became the runner up. In addition, he trained in karate, judo, and physical fitness. In 1959 after senior level examination he joined the harbor as a tele-clerk. He also gained fame as the undefeated national wrestling champion of the 1961. He also represented Sri Lanka at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. Then, he qualified for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and also participated in the 1966 Bangkok Nippon Asian Games. Afterwards, he lost the opportunity to participate due to a knee injury in several global sports tournaments. He is the only actor in Sri Lanka with sports colors.

During his first acting, Fernando worked as the sports adviser for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Fernando is married to Anoma Lumbini since 1978. The couple has 2 daughters - Anushka and Asha - and one son - Anojan Sudharshana. He currently resides with his wife at No. 103, Nathuduwa, Kelaniya.

He started drama by acting in the Tamil stage plays. Then he acted in the plays Shalomi and Julius Ceasar.

His maiden cinema acting came through 1963 film Wena Swargayak Kumatada?directed by T. Somasekaran. He played a stunt role with Henry Jayasena in that film, even though his fight scene was 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 late H.R. Jothipala, cinematographer Lenin Moraeus 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 also 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 screened 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 consist with many dialogues. It was the first time that Fernando made dialogues in a film.

In 1972, he acted in 7 sinhala films. Then in 1973, Sathischandra Edirisinghe handed over the stunt direction to his film Matara Achchi. Fernando joined with Edirisinghe's next film Sri Madara in 1977 as the main actor. He also got the opportunity to act in a major role in the 1974 film Sahayata Danny directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara. During many villain roles in the films, he acted opposite to Gamini Fonseka in fight scenes. At one instance, he was assaulted by Gamini in a filmand could not open the eyes for three days.

In 1976, Fernando acted in titular character in the film Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe. During this time, he got to 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.

Then won the award from the Ministry of Sports in 2009 for his contribution to the sport. In many films, Sonia Disa was the lover of Alexander Fernando's cinema. They acted together in many films such as Sahayata Danny, Sri Madara, Aege Adara Kathawa, Kawuda Raja and Harima Badu Thunak.

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