{{Short description|Sri Lankan comedian and director (1952–2020)}} {{Infobox person | name = Tennyson Cooray | native_name = ටෙනිසන් කුරේ | other_names = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date|1952|04|30|df=yes}} | birth_name = Merengnnage Edward Tennyson Cooray | birth_place = Welimada, Sri Lanka | death_date = {{death date and age|2020|09|28|1952|04|30|df=yes}} | death_place = Colombo, Sri Lanka | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | years_active = 1981–2020 | party = | spouse = Malsiri Eranjani | children = 1 | relatives = | awards = Best Comedian | signature = | website = | footnotes = Received first award for his performances on stage and on screen from [https://www.Ravsfm.com RavsFM.com] Australia in the year 2009 | occupation = Actor, Screenplay Writer, Film Director, Producer }}
'''Merengnnage Edward Tennyson Cooray''' (සිංහල:මෙරෙඤඤගේ එඩ්වඩ් ටෙනිසන් කුරේ) (30 April 1952 – 28 September 2020) was an actor and comedian in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-tenison-cooray-342.html | title=Actors in Sinhala cinema - Tenison Cooray ටෙනිසන් කුරේ | publisher=Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/artist/tenison-cooray-680/ | title=Actor Tennyson Cooray | publisher=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka | access-date=17 June 2016}}</ref> One of the most popular comedians ever in Sinhala cinema with a career spanned more than three decades,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/08/24/?fn=sa17082427 |title=Comedians of Sinhala Cinema |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2013/07/14/feature10.html | title=Two eras: Laughing pattern – I have not even received a certificate of merit | publisher=Divaina | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Cooray was best known for comedy roles in several blockbuster film franchises such as ''Re Daniel Dawal Migel'', ''Cheriyo'', ''Peralikarayo'', ''Wada Bari Tarzan'' as well as ''Somy Boys''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140810/magazine/golden-stars-with-the-golden-chimes-109733.html|title=Golden Stars with the Golden Chimes |work=The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Goodbye Teni |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/201004/magazine/goodbye-teni-418358.html |access-date=2021-01-11 |website=sundaytimes}}</ref> In addition to acting, he also worked as a director and scriptwriter, singer, and lyrics writer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160501/magazine/22-years-of-maf-191134.html|title=22 years of MAF |work=The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)}}</ref>
== Personal life== He was born on 30 April 1952 in Welimada, [Sri Lanka] as the second of the family to a Catholic father and Buddhist mother. His father Merengnnage Edgar Stanley Arthur Cooray, who worked at Gamini Bus Company, learned to be a pastor for some time and also was a great reader of good English literature.<ref name= tencor>{{cite web | url=http://www.rategossip.com/13125/2019/07/tenison.html | title=Career of Tennison Cooray | publisher=Rate Gossip | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> His mother, Herath Mudiyanselage Ran Menika was a housewife. He studied at Kesebewa Junior School for primary education and then attended Willorawatta Protestant Catholic Mixed School also known as Moratuwa Methodist College. He only graduated Ordinary Level examination. He had one elder sister and a younger brother. When he was about ten years old, they used to go to the temple with mother on Poya day as well as to church on Sundays.<ref name= ten>{{cite web | url=http://www.silumina.lk/2017/05/06/රසඳුන/මම-අපා%C2%ADයෙන්-ආපු-නළු%C2%ADවෙක් | title=I'm an actor from hell | publisher=Silumina | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Tennyson, who had previously attended an automotive course, later worked as a ship mechanic.<ref name= coorayten>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2020/10/01/19103/දෑස-දන්-දී-සිනහව-වසා-දැමූ-ආදරණීය-ටෙනී | title=Dear Tenny, who closed his eyes and smiled | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>
He was married to Malsiri Eranjani and the couple had one daughter, Madhumihiri, who is a teacher at Bishop’s College.<ref name= sonco>{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2007/08/19/enter2.htm | title=A serious chat with Tennyson Cooray | publisher=The Nation | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Madhumihiri is married to Chaturanga Fernando, a businessman(Simple Music & Entertainment Pvt Ltd. They have one son, Chandru Mithushka and one daughter, Mindri Shenumika.<ref name= tencor />
On 28 September 2020, Cooray died at the National Hospital in Colombo at the age of 68 due to a sudden heart attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/09/28/end-of-an-era-tennyson-cooray-no-more/|title=End of an Era : Tennyson Cooray no more |work=News First}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hirunews.lk/english/251286/tennyson-cooray-bids-farewell-to-life-passed-away-after-a-brief-illness | title=Tennyson Cooray bids farewell to life | publisher=Hiru News | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Remains were laid at Tennyson's House, 79/1, Willorawatta, Moratuwa for two days. The body was taken to the Rawathawatte Methodist Church at 4 pm and the final rites were performed at the cemetery on 1 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/67581/final-rites-of-actor-tennyson-cooray-on-thursday | title=Final rites of actor Tennyson Cooray on Thursday | publisher=Ada Derana | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2020/10/01/19108/ටෙනී-අද-සවස-අවසන්-ගමනේ | title=Tenny is on his final journey this evening | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>
==Career== At adolescent age, he performed at church festivals for about eight years with his friend Percy. Then he went to several drama interviews to take an opportunity to act in movies, but could not get a chance due to his appearance. Totally disappointed, one day his father told him that 'if you want to act, you can do a play that suits you'. Then he made a Vesak drama called ''Apaaye Thappara 1800''.<ref name= ten /> The play was intended to make people afraid to sin. He also administered the sound. It was shown about 35 times outside the Moratuwa area. (It was directed by Dinesh Priyasad in the 1990s as a film starring Gamini Fonseka in the lead role and the dialogues and screenplay by Tennyson). In 1971, he made a short film called "Hada Aedi Siththam". There he met Giwantha Arthasad and Bermin Lyle Fernando.<ref name= coorayten />
He began his career as a stage performer in a passion play staged at Moratumulla Church directed by Rev. Theodore H Perera. He further developed his drama skills at the Wesley Gulld and the Bible School of the Willorawatte Church. He has produced Christian Dramas for the NCC Radio.<ref name= sonco /> His maiden cinema acting came through ''Jeewanthi'' directed by Hemasiri Sellapperuma. His career completely changed when he met Giwantha Arthasad's younger brother, Dinesh Priyasad. The two did a little experiment together where they made a short film called "Action".<ref name= coorayten />
Cooray debuted in Sinhala cinema as a screenwriter in Dinesh Priyasad's directorial debut ''Nommara Ekai''. He wrote the story and screenplay, as well as acted in the film. Producing the low-budget ''Nommara Ekai'', it became a big hit. Later Dinesh joined a new project of Thilak Athapaththu, after the success of ''Nommara Ekai''. Dinesh thought that Cooray knew what the people liked or disliked, and he turned to Cooray to write a new film script. He started to write a script, thinking like a main actor in the film. He asked for a chance to play the main character. Athapaththu refused because Cooray was a newcomer in the industry. and he wasn't ready to take a risk. Anyhow, he got a chance to perform a minor role in the film.<ref name= tencor /> Then Tennyson wrote the plot of the blockbuster hit ''Peralikarayo'' which was not only the most popular film of 1986, but also the highest grossing film of that year.<ref name= coorayten />
During ''Peralikarayo'', Tennyson and Priyasad met Vijaya Kumaratunga. Later, they involved in Kumaratunga's first film production ''Waradata Danduwama''. Later he got a chance to be the script writer for Priyasad's blockbuster hit ''Demodara Palama'', where he played the role 'Vali Cooray' opposite to Gamini Fonseka.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2014/01/05/meewitha01.html | title=We are also charismatic actors | publisher=Divaina | access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref> Priyasad's film ''Hithata Dukak Nathi Miniha'' was a film that pulls aside the acting style of Tenny where his ability for those adventurous scenes is highlighted in the film. He performed well not only in cinema but also on stage with the popular stage plays ''Man The Man'', ''Captain Cool'', ''Sivamma Dhanapala'' and ''I am Sri Lanka''. In each of these stage plays, he discusses the issues and problems of the society in a humorous manner, tries to make the audience laugh as well as try to draw the audience's attention to the issues of the country.<ref name= coorayten />
He produced ''Akikaru Puthraya'', the first Christian 16 mm Sinhala film and then he produced three stage dramas;<ref name= sonco /> ''Kurulla'', ''Man The Man'' and ''I am Sri Lanka''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2011/07/14/_art.asp?fn=sa1107142&pn=02 |title=Tenny with I am Sri Lanka |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/02/03/fea27.asp | title=I am Sri Lanka | work=Daily News | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> He has also appeared in comedy films with fellow actor Bandu Samarasinghe on numerous occasions, including ''Re Daniel Dawal Migel'', ''Cheriyo'', ''Kolompoor'', ''Parliament Jokes'', and ''Somy Boys''.<ref name= tencor /> All the films were blockbuster hits where as Bandu-Tenny duo made a comedy cinema wave during 1990s and early new millennium.
Around 2010, the Sarasaviya newspaper published a series of weekly Q&A articles with Tennyson under the title 'Tennysongen Ahanna'. It was a popular feature in the newspaper at the time. His answers to the questions posed by readers are hilarious. He has acted only a handful of television serials as he personally disliked acting in teledramas and preferred to be involved in major productions such as films.<ref name= coorayten />
Cooray wrote the story for Priyasad's ''Kolompoor'' and acted with Bandu, which became a blockbuster in that year. In 2001, Tennyson made his maiden cinema direction with the comedy film ''Thank You Berty''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nation.lk/2007/08/19/enter2.htm | title=A serious chat with Tennyson Cooray | publisher=Nation.lk | access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/08/17/fea23.asp | title=Tenny brings 'Thank you Berty' | work=Daily News | access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref> He also acted in the film along with longtime friend Bandu Samarasinghe. Apart from that, he also directed the home movie ''Eya Thamai Meya'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/movies//?fn=sa1505218 | title=Tennyson Cooray re-directed 'Eya Thamai Meya' | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=3 October 2018}}</ref> In 2011, he went to the United Kingdom for a series of concerts organized by UK charity '1+1=1'.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120220/287354788592406 | title=Tenny off to UK | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref>
In 2018, Tennyson acted in the film ''Yama Raja Siri'' with Bandu for the first time in 10 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://divaina.com/daily/index.php/visheshanga3/10743-slt-15 | title='Yama Raja Siri' in cinemas island wide | publisher=Divaina | access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref> In the same year, he acted in the comedy theater play ''Reliy Remix'' produced by Sisil Gunasekara.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.deshaya.lk/article/52/හදසර/7742/ටෙනී-ආයෙත්--රටම-හිනස්වයි | title=Tenny makes the whole country laugh again | publisher=Deshaya | access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref> Later, he won the award for the Best Comedian at 2018 Derana Lux Film Awards for the film ''Kota Uda Express''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ada.lk/entertainment/e0b69ae0b79ce0b6b8e0b792e0b69ae0b78ae0b69ae0b78fe0b6bbe0b6bae0b6b1/8-333567| title=Who bang awards for comics | publisher=Ada | access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref>
===Selected stage plays=== {{Div col|colwidth=25em}} * ''Captain Cool'' * ''I am Sri Lanka'' <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2011/09/02/cineart01.html | title=Birth is between calamities – The policy or the catastrophe is | publisher=Divaina | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> * ''Kurulla'' * ''La Rosa'' <ref name= la>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2007/06/06/art01.asp | title='Man the Man' on open stage | work=Daily News | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> * ''Man The Man'' <ref name= la /> * ''Raliya Remix'' * ''Sivamma Dhanapala'' <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2013/06/07/cineart02.html | title=One hundred year old Sivamma Dhanapala on stage again | publisher=Divaina | access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> * ''Tarzan The Baba'' {{Div col end}}
==Filmography== {{Pending films key}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- style="background:#000;" ! Year !! Film !! Role !! class=unsortable| Notes |- | 1981 || ''Jeewanthi'' || || maiden cinema acting |- | 1986 || ''Peralikarayo'' || Tenny || film's scriptwriter |- | 1987 || ''Nommara Ekai'' || Koka Khan || film's scriptwriter |- | 1987 || ''Obatai Priye Adare'' || Anta || film's scriptwriter |- | 1988 || ''Chandingeth Chandiya'' || || |- | rowspan=6| 1990 || ''Sambudu Mahima'' || || |- | ''Hondin Nathnam Narakin'' || || |- | ''Pem Raja Dahana'' || Guru's ally || |- | ''Esala Sanda'' || Don Frank Peter Anderson || |- | ''Honda Honda Sellam'' || Tenny || |- | ''Cheriyo Doctor'' || Attendant || |- | 1991 || ''Alibaba Saha Horu 40'' || || |- | rowspan=4|1992 || ''Singha Raja'' || || |- | ''Sinhayageth Sinhaya'' || || |- | ''Ranabime Weeraya'' || || |- | ''Malsara Doni'' || A. Linganadan || |- | rowspan=2| 1993 || ''Come or Go Chicago'' || Harrah the Karrah || |- | ''Vijay Saha Ajay'' || || |- | 1994 || ''Love 94'' || Ballpoint || |- | 1995 || ''Cheriyo Captain'' || Bantum || |- | 1995 || ''Demodara Palama'' || Wali Cooray || Story theme <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070408/TV/001tv.html |title='Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref> |- | 1996 || ''Cheriyo Darling'' || Doctor Dunath Mala 'D. M' ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.films.lk/cheriyo-darling-sinhala-film-1598.html |title=Cheriyo Darling - චෙරියෝ ඩාලින් |publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database |access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> |- | 1998 || ''Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1'' || Migel || |- | rowspan=2|1999 || ''Kolompoor'' || Thadawansa || plays seven different roles |- | ''Nagaran'' || Lakiya || |- | 2000 || ''Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2'' || Migel ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000423/tv.html |title=Daniel and Migel appear again|publisher=Sunday times |access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> |- | rowspan=3| 2001 || ''Pissu Pusoo'' || || |- | ''Jonsun and Gonsun'' || Jonson || |- | ''Kolamba Koloppan'' || Tenny || |- | rowspan=4| 2002 || ''Parliament Jokes'' || P.K Amaris || |- | ''Somy Boys'' || Bean || |- | ''Love 2002'' || Tom || |- | ''Seethala Gini Kandu'' || Tamil policeman || |- | rowspan=4|2003 || ''Aladinge Waldin'' || Aladdin 'Dean Martin' || |- | ''Taxi Driver'' || || |- | ''Hitha Honda Pisso'' || Sunny || |- | ''Vala In London'' || Valentine 'Vala' / Professor Serpentine || |- | rowspan=3|2004 || ''Re Daniel Dawal Migel 3'' || 008 / Migel || |- | ''Ohoma Harida'' || Sathyapala || |- | ''Clean Out'' || Bookie || |- | 2005 || ''James Bond'' || Jamies || |- | rowspan=3| 2007 || ''Jundai Gundai'' || Gunda || |- | ''Hai Master'' || || |- | ''Weda Beri Tarzan'' || Tarzan / Mesan|| dual role |- | 2008 || ''Ai Oba Thaniwela'' || || |- | rowspan=3 | 2010 || ''Hadawatha Mal Yayai'' || || |- | ''Ape Yalu Punchi Boothaya'' || Jeevan Gurunnanse || guest appearance |- | ''Wada Bari Tarzan Mathisabayata'' || Tarzan || |- | rowspan=2 | 2011 || ''Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada Nahi'' || Sanath Perera || |- | ''Thank You Berty'' || Berty || Cooray's first directorial role |- | 2012 ||''Jeevithe Lassanai'' || Kalyana / Ku.Ku.La (Kude Kudu Laos) || |- | 2013 ||''Ranja'' || Johnny || |- | rowspan=2 | 2014 || ''Supiri Andare'' || Andare / Gulliver || Dual Role |- | ''Parapura'' || Dilanga's friend || Minor role |- | rowspan=2 | 2015 || ''Singa Machan Charlie'' || Charlie || |- | ''Eya Thamai Meya''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2015/05/21/?fn=sa1505218 |title=Tenny into direction again |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=30 July 2017}}</ref> || Roma || Second directorial role, Home Movie |- | rowspan=2 | 2017 || ''Kota Uda Express'' || Weere || |- | ''Devani Warama'' || John || |- | 2018 ||''Yama Raja Siri'' || Martin || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/06/22/?fn=sa1706226 |title=Director in many roles |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> |- | rowspan=4 | 2019 ||''Nathi Bari Tarzan''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/06/29/?fn=sa17062926 |title=No creepers al all |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> || Tarzan || |- | ''Thiththa Aththa''|| Walisinghe's secretary || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/14/?fn=sa1806142 |title=The story of Walisinghe |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=16 June 2018}}</ref> |- | ''Sikuru Yogaya''|| Koha || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2018/05/31/?fn=sa1805312 |title=Sikuru Yogaya coming tomorrow |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref> |- | ''Jaya Sri Amathithuma'' || Secretary Silva || |- | rowspan=2 | {{TableTBA}} ||{{pending film|italic=no| ''Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya'' }} || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2010/08/19/_art.asp?fn=sa1008191&pn=03 |title=Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya in post productions |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> |- | {{pending film|italic=no| ''Ugulai Magulai'' }} || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/07/27/?fn=sa1707276 |title=Ugulai Magulai starts |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=30 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2018/01/11/?fn=sa1801111 |title=The tale of Senaka - Ugulai Magulai |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|6630514}} *[https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20110725/283111360651206 I am Sri Lanka in Moratuwa] *[http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2017/02/02/?fn=sa1702025 බලන් ඉඳල බැරිම තැන] *[http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2017/05/25/?fn=sa17052510 FACE BOOK ද? FAKE BOOK ද?] *[https://www.mirrorarts.lk/chat/2958-bandu-teni-together අපි දෙන්නා අමනාප කරන්න සමහරු පෙළඹුණේ] *[http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2014/08/07/?fn=sa14080713 විකට ශිල්පීන්ගේ පුදුම විහිළු] *[https://movietimes.lk/1115-2/?mode=list උගුලයි මගුලයි සිනමා පටයේ මුහුරත් උලෙළ] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/04/07/?fn=sa16040727 ටෙනිසන් කුරේගෙන් සමාජ සත්කාරයක්] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2014/11/13/?fn=sa14111349 ටෙනිසන්ගෙන් නාට්ය දන්සලක්] *[https://divaina.com/sunday/images/paper/2017/10/08/tenisan.jpg ලංකාවේ අපක්ෂපාතී සම්මාන උළෙලවල් නැහැ] *[http://sinhala.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=143563 ටෙනිසන් කුරේ මියයයි] *[https://gossip.hirufm.lk/51526/2020/09/tenison-kure.html මුළු රටක් හිනැස්සු ප්රවීණ රංගන ශිල්පී ටෙනිසන් කුරේ] *[http://cinema.lk/සිනමාවට-සිනහව-ගෙනා-ටෙනිස/ සිනමාවට සිනහව ගෙනා ටෙනිසන් නික්ම යයි] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2020/09/28/19074/ටෙනිසන්-කුරේ-මහතා-අභවප්%E2%80%8Dරාප්ත-වෙයි ටෙනිසන් කුරේ මහතා අභවප්රාප්ත වෙයි] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2020/10/08/19146/ටෙනිසන්-කුරේ-අවසන්-ගමනේ ටෙනිසන් කුරේ අවසන් ගමනේ] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2020/10/15/19225/ආයේ-කවදා-හමුවෙමුද ආයේ කවදා හමුවෙමුද...]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooray, Tennison}} Category:Sri Lankan male film actors Category:Sri Lankan comedians Category:2020 deaths Category:1952 births Category:People from Moratuwa Category:Sri Lankan film directors Category:20th-century comedians Category:20th-century Sri Lankan male actors Category:21st-century comedians Category:21st-century Sri Lankan male actors Category:Male comedians