Senior Kannada actor Umesh, died at the age of 80 on Sunday at around 8:35 am. The actor had an extensive career with over 350 films, spending over six decades working in the industry.
The actor had reportedly slipped and fallen at his home in October this year, injuring his leg and hip.
He was taken to the hospital, and while being treated, he was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer according to Asianet. The doctors cancelled a planned surgery on his leg after his cancer diagnosis. The actor passed away while being treated.
He had also gone viral in a video recently for cracking jokes while being bedridden
Umesh was born on April 22, 1945, to A.L. Seikanthiah and Nanjamma in Mysore. He started his career doing child roles in theatre plays, encouraged by his parents and developed a passion for the stage.
He was mentored by Gubbi Veerana as a child actor. He went on to play roles in MC Mahadeva Swamy’s Kannada Theatre company as a child actor. He debuted as an actor in the BR Panthulu directed film Makkala Rajya in 1960.
Umesh also mastered both the piano and harmonium, and could play and sing.
He later rose to fame as a comedian in both Kannada theatre and film. He was known for his unusual comedic dialogues and for his comedic timing and expressions.
In 1975, he received the Karnataka best supporting actor award for his role as Thamarai in the three-part film Katha Sangama. He also won the Natak Akademi Award in 1994 and the Mahanagara Palike Award in 1997.
Some of his most popular roles were in the films Children's Kingdom, Bhagyavantaru, Khiladi Jodi, Guru Shishyaru, Bhoomige Pada Bhagavant, Haalu Jenu, Kamanabillu, Apoorva Sangama, Shruti Sereingada, Megha Mandara, Adawan, Sarvar Somanna, Meghamale, Nannaaseya Hoove, Jackie, Rambo, Mussanje Matu, Daredevil Mustafa, Hagaluvesha.
His last performance was in the film in Kamal Sridevi which was released this year.
