Veteran actor-director Thomas Burley Kurisingal passes away at 92

Thomas Burley Kurisingal

Veteran actor-director Thomas Burley Kurisingal passes away at the age of 92.

Popular for the cowboy roles he played in television serials and Hollywood films, he died in Kochi, Kerala on December 16, 2024 (Monday) after being treated for age-related ailments at a private hospital. According to family members, his last rites will be performed on Thursday (December 19) at the Santa Cruz Basilica cemetery in Veli, Fort Kochi.

hollywood dreams

Born on September 1, 1932, he had a passion for acting since childhood and at the age of 20, he entered tinsel town by playing a lead role in a film. Thiramala Released in 1953. Although small roles followed later in his acting career, he was not discouraged and left Kerala in 1957 to pursue his Hollywood dreams and joined the University of California to study motion pictures. She was taught by famous actors and filmmakers including Nancy Reagan.

He acted in the film never rarely With Frank Sinatra and Gina Lollobrigida. Actor Steve McQueen, who became his friend, signed him for his film set in the American West. His successful role inspired him to do more cowboy films. he starred in wanted Dead or Alive, there is a gun , will travel , gun smoke And like this. He said, “I was often mistaken for Mexican and that I could imitate Mexican English well.” The Hindu In an earlier interview.

In 1973, he entered the world of direction with a suspense film. ithu humans And this was followed by a full length comedy Velarikkapatnam 1985 starring Prem Nazir, Sukumari and Jagathy Sreekumar in lead roles. He also wrote a screenplay, Maya and the elephantwhat was later called a motion picture Maya,

Apart from his passion for acting and directing, he was a writer, cartoonist and musician. He has contributed to the illustrated weekly, Shankar’s Weekly And current, off by heartA composition in prose-poetry, fragrant petalsa book of songs and Hey Kerala!An illustrated work on Kerala is some of his published works.

His last innings as an actor was double barrel Lijo directed by Jose Pellissery and released in 2015. He also tried his luck in business as a seafood exporter.