Rajesh (actor)
| Rajesh | |
|---|---|
| Born |
20 December 1949 Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Swartz Williams |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978 - present |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Sylvia |
| Awards | Kalaimaamani |
Rajesh is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam films. He has completed more than 35 years in films and appeared in over 150 films. He has done roles ranging from a hero to a character actor.
Rajesh was born in 1949 in Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district, but his family hails from Anaikkadu, in Thanjavur district. He studied in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham and Aanaikadu. After finishing his PUC in Karaikudi Alagappa College, he joined Pachaiappas College but unfortunately not completed his college education. He worked as a teacher in St Paul's High School, Purasawalkam and later at Kellett Higher Secondary School, Triplicane from 1972 to 1979.
In 1974, he got a chance to act in the film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, but he only did a small role in it. His first film as hero was Kanni Paruvathile (1979) produced by Rajkannu. Rajesh acted in Achamillai Achamillai by K. Balachander. Later he moved into playing character artist role, and acted in many movies with Kamal Hassan.
Now he is into Hotel, Real Estate business and he is a leading builder in the city. He also wrote biographies of Hollywood actors in Tamil.
He is a Christian, later he was active in Periyaar's ideologies then he involved himself in Astrology. He had written many books and articles about Astrology.
In 1983, he married Joan Sylvia who is the grand daughter of the famous social reformist and Dravidian leader Pattukottai Davis. They have one daughter Divya and one son Deepak, who will be making his acting debut in 2014. His wife died on 6 August 2012.
He was the first Tamil actor to build a bungalow for movie shooting purpose in 1985 near KK Nagar, Chennai which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. Many Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movies shooting happened in that house. He later sold it in 1993 while starting his real estate business. In early 90's as advised by his friend Jeppiaar, he started Real Estate business, then he started hotel and construction business. He was active in politics from 1987 to 1991, supporting the Mrs Janaki w/o M.G Ramachandran. But he always maintained good relationship with Kalaigar Karunanidhi, J Jayalalitha, Congress leaders and Communist party leaders. He is also a follower of Karl Marx, when he visited UK he paid his tribute to the great leader.
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