Linton Semage


Linton Semage is a Sri Lankan actor and a movie director. He is known for his roles in movies such as Sulang Kirilli, Mad Cowgirl and Padadaya. He started his acting career in 1978 from the movie Sara, which was directed by T. Arjuna. He won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award and Presidential Film Award for the best actor, for his role in movie Mee Haraka.

Personal life

He was born in 1957 in Boossa, Galle. He completed education from Deva Pathiraja College and Galle Central School.

Career

In 1975, he moved Colombo with the ambition to be a dancer. Then he joined "Ranga Shilpa Shalika" in Lionel Wendt and started dancing under the guidance of Basil Mihiripenna. He then acted in Chithrasena's Karadiya, Dhamma Jagoda's Kora Saha Andaya and Wes Muhunu. He is one of the earliest member of street drama group formed by Gamini Haththotuwegama. His maiden television acting came through Sekkuwa directed by Parakrama Niriella with the role "Kiripussa". He won the excellence award at State Drama Festivals for that role. He continued to act in many popular critically acclaimed stage drama such as Maname, Sinhabahu, Wedikkarayo, Ran Salakuna, Punthila, Pansa Deke Hansaya, Ath and Mora.
He produced the play Panchayudha, which is his only stage production. He went India for a drama course at Indian National Drama Theater. In 1978, he played his maiden cinema acting through Saara directed by T. Arjuna with the role as a waiter. He acted in short films such as Palamuwaniya Saha Anthimaya by Niriella and Cindrellage Sereppuwa by P.U.D Perera. His most notable cinema acting came through 1994 film Mee Haraka directed by I.N Hewawasam. In that year, he won the Sarasaviya award for the Best Actor for his role Gunapala in that film.
He acted in few television serials, including, Nadee Geethaya, Irata Handana Mal, Indrakeelaya, Kokila Ginna, Magul Sakwala and Iti Pahan. He also produced two serials Akaradaruwa and Deweni Kameththa.

Filmography

Main Actor / Actor

YearNo.FilmRole
1978396SaraWaiter
1981502Sudda
1982514Thani Tharuwa
1985614RajinaAlso as screenwriter
1986639Athuru Mithuru
1987658Podi Vijay
1989696Siri MeduraGunapala's supporter
1990705Saharawe Sihinaya
1991737Sthree
1994819Mee HarakaGunapala
1995842Ayoma
1996866Bawa Sasara
1997868Yasoma
1998901Anthima Reya
1998967Purahanda KaluwaraSunanda's husband
1999911PadadayaDharmadasa. Also as screenwriter
1999928NagaranBerty
2000938Rajya Sevaya PinisaiWijepala
2000945Indrakeelaya
2001961Me Mage Sandai
2002978Kalu Sudu MalChathura
2002980Sudu SewaneliSudu Banda
2002988Mage Wam AthaKamal. Also as screenwriter
20031018Sulang KirilliShantha Bandara
20041041Mille Soya
2006EnglishMad CowgirlDr. Suzuki

Director

1999 - Best Actor
2002 - Best Supporting Actor
1995 - Best Actor
2000 Best Film - Padadaya
2000 Best Director - Padadaya