Director-actor Thomas Burleigh Kurishingal passes away at 92

Popular actor-director Thomas Burleign Kurishingal passed away On Wednesday, December 17. He was aged 92.

Making his acting debut with the Sathyan starrer ‘Thiramala’ which was released in the year 1953, Thomas later stepped into the world of Hollywood and he is most popular for his role in the English classic film ‘Never So Few’ which was released in the year 1959. Thomas was mainly known in Hollywood for portraying Mexican characters.

Thomas pursued an acting course at the University of California and he has also bankrolled the English film ‘Maya’ which was made for child audiences. Apart from acting, Thomas Burleigh has also shined as a director, story writer, Screenplay writer, producer, dialogue writer, and music composer and he also started a seafood exporting business during the year 1969.



Interestingly Thomas also had a passion for magic, violin, painting, and instrumental music. Thomas donned the director’s cap for the first time with the 1973 film ‘Ithu Manushyano’, from which the song ‘Sughamoru bindu Dukhamoru bindu’ turned out to be famous and still considered as a classic song.



Thomas also directed the film ‘Vellarikkappattanam’ which was released in the year 1985 and starred Prem Nazir in the lead. ‘Vellarikkappattanam’ is also said to be the last film in which Prem Nazir acted in a ‘Hero’ image. Thomas also composed the songs ‘Mangalangal’, ‘Romaancham Poothirangum’, and ‘Hemantha Kalam’ for his sophomore directorial venture.



Taking a look at his personal life, Thomas married Sophy and has three kids Tanya, Tarun, and Tamina.



On the other hand, Thomas’ last outing as an actor was in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s action thriller film ‘Double Barrel’ starring Prithviraj, Asif Ali, Indrajith Sukumaran, and many others in lead roles.