Freddie Silva

The man who dominated the Sri Lankan comedy scene for three decades from 1960 to 1980, Halpeliyanage Morris Joseph de Silva, popularly known as Freddy Silva was an actor and playback singer. In a career spanning five decades, Silva gained popularity in the 60s for his comic roles and appeared in over 450 films. He grew up being fascinated with dancing and singing and in the 1950s starting performing.

It was a chance meeting with K. A. W. Perera in 1963 that opened doors to acting for him. In the same year, he made his acting debut with the movie Suhada Sohoyuro. Subsequently, the actor was cast in several comic roles over the years. Although being primarily cast in comic roles, Silva also chose to portray serious roles. Movies such as Sekaya (1965), Lasanda (1974), and Sukiri kella (1975) showcased the other side of the actor. He essayed the role of a mentally handicapped man in Sukiri kella and for the preparation towards the role, he lived with a real handicapped person. Such was the caliber of Silva that by the 1980s producers became apprehensive to make a movie without casting Silva lest the movie would be a box office failure. However, towards the end of his career, Silva lived a struggling life. He received no work in the late 90s and thrived on the 2000 rupees which he received as pension from the Sri Lankan Film Corporation. The veteran actor died on 29th of October 2001.

Silva had a son, Janesh, who was also an actor and singer, Janesh lost his battle to cancer on 10th of June 2012. Silva is now survived by his daughter Chandani, who is also an actress and singer in the Sri Lankan film industry.