1. Deshabandu Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama, popularly as Joe Abeywickrama, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.
24 Facts About Joe Abeywickrama
1. 2.
Joe Abeywickrama has won 18 Sarasavi Awards and Presidential Awards.
3.
At the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival, Joe Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in Pura Handa Kaluwara, a first for a Sri Lankan.
4.
Joe Abeywickrama is the first Sri Lankan actor to ever participated for Filmfare Film Festival, where he participated in 1966.
5.
Joe Abeywickrama was born on 22 June 1927 in Lellopitiya, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and grew up in a rural area.
6.
Joe Abeywickrama's surroundings instilled in him a strong appreciation of nature and hard work.
7.
Joe Abeywickrama's father was a close companionship with John D'oyly, where Joe got his name.
8.
Joe Abeywickrama completed primary education at Dippitigala Mixed School near Lellopitiya.
9.
Joe Abeywickrama was married to Pushpa Kumari Karunarathna who is a Daughter of Civil Engineer and Architect.
10.
Joe Abeywickrama met her when he was residing on the next door of Pushpa's parents house.
11.
Joe Abeywickrama followed her to temple during those days trying to talk with her for while.
12.
Joe Abeywickrama was married to her until she died in 2007.
13.
Daughter, Udeni Kumari Joe Abeywickrama who is the elder and son Channa Joe Abeywickrama is the younger.
14.
Joe Abeywickrama made contacts with film industry insiders while with the studio, and on his leave obtained a role in Devasundari.
15.
Joe Abeywickrama obtained the role with the help of his friend Florida Jayalath and considers it to be his first real role and a turning point in his career.
16.
Joe Abeywickrama was a comedian in all of his early films with some notable roles in the films Sirimalee, Nalangana, Pirimiyek Nisa, Kolamba Sanniya and Daruwa Kageda.
17.
Joe Abeywickrama starred in Mahagama Sekera's Tun Man Handiya in 1970.
18.
Joe Abeywickrama won forty awards including both international and local film festivals.
19.
Joe Abeywickrama appeared in two English films titled Peter of the Elephants and The Three Yellow Cats.
20.
Joe Abeywickrama won the Best Actor award at 12th Singapore International Film Festival for his role "Wannihami" in the film.
21.
Joe Abeywickrama was the first Sri Lankan actor to attend the Filmfare Awards in India.
22.
Joe Abeywickrama acted in many television serials such as Andu Kola, Vanas Pathi, Gamperaliya, Sakisanda Eliyas and Esala Kaluwara.
23.
Joe Abeywickrama made the script for the popular comedy serial Sabada Pabilis.
24.
Joe Abeywickrama published his first novel Maha Bambata Muhunu Dekai in 1972.