Rajesh

Rajesh (20 December 1949 – 29 May 2025) was an Indian actor who performed in predominantly Tamil films and serials. He completed more than 50 years in films and appeared as lead roles and supporting roles in over 150 films.

Rajesh was born on 20 December 1949 to Williams Nattar and Lily Grace Mankondar at Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district, his family hails from Anaikkadu, in Thanjavur district, India in a Kallar (Thevar) family. He studied in Dindigul, Vadamadurai, Melanatham Aanaikadu and Chinnamanur Theni district. After finishing his PUC in Karaikudi Alagappa College, he joined Pachaiappas College, but did not complete 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 in a small role. His first film as a hero was Kanni Paruvathile (1979), produced by Rajkannu. Rajesh acted in Achamillai Achamillai, by K. Balachander. Later, he moved into playing character roles, and acted in movies with Kamal Haasan like Sathyaa (1988), Mahanadhi (1994) and Virumaandi (2004).

Later in life, he was in the hotel and real estate business, and he was a leading builder in the city. He also wrote biographies of Hollywood actors in Tamil.

He was a Christian, later he was active in Periyaar's ideologies, then he involved himself in Astrology. He wrote many books and articles about astrology.

In 1983, Rajesh married Joan Sylvia, daughter of Mr. Eddy Firbank a renowned NRI who lived 30 years in Middle East. They had one daughter Divya^{[citation needed]} and one son Deepak, who made his acting debut in 2014. His wife died on 6 August 2012.^{[citation needed]}

He was the first Tamil actor to build a bungalow for the purpose of movie shooting in 1985 near KK Nagar, Chennai, which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. Many Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movie shootings were completed in that house. He later sold it in 1993, while starting his real estate business. In the early 1990s, as advised by his friend Jeppiaar, he started a Real Estate business, then he started hotel and construction business. He was active in politics from 1987 to 1991, supporting Janaki. He was also a follower of Karl Marx. He visited the UK and paid his tribute to the great leader.

Rajesh died from a heart attack in Chennai, in the early hours of 29 May 2025, at the age of 75.

• All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.