Jose Pellissery

Jose Pelliserry – a veteran Malayalam actor – was born in 1950 at a place called Chalakudy in Thrissur district, Kerala. With his passion for acting, Pelliserry kick-started his career in acting through theater plays. He first worked with Chalakudy Sarathy Theatres in the 1980s, and his work included plays with biblical themes.

He was in close connection with the veteran actor Thilakan and played several important roles in plays directed by him. Pelliserry rose to popularity only after playing nearly 14 important roles in theater plays. Spite of being an actor for Chalakudy Sarathy Theatres, he was a partner for the theater company. His film career took off after the 1990s an artist in supporting role. Soon he became famous for his supporting roles. Aadhaaram, Nadodi, Ghazal, which were a hit back in the 90s, marked his journey as a well-known supporting actor. His achievement doesn’t end there, as he went to win a Kerala State Award for the Best Stage Actor for Faashu, play with which he adorned the main character and was directed by Thilakan. Along with that, his other noted plays include Five Star Hospital, Alakal, Indhanam, Mochanam Nale, Adi Sankaran Janicha Naatil and Chamayam, all of which was directed by Thilakan.

Along with films, Pelliserry also tried his hands in a couple of television serials; for instance Chitta, Kayamkulam Kochunni Click to look into! >> Read More... etc. He played over 100 supporting roles in films, amounting to a 15-year long film career. On 5th September 2004, he was admitted to a private hospital due to a heart attack and later the news of his death followed.

Pelliserry was 54 years old when he died to leave the film industry in shock. His talent and abilities will always live through his movies and plays and are still appreciated by people. He is remembered by his wife, son, and daughter. His son, Lijo Jose Pelliserry, is also a popular Malayalam film director who went on to win several awards for his movies.

Even though the contribution by Pelliserry to Malayalam Film industry is irreplaceable, there have been some opinions that industry didn’t properly utilise his talents. In an interview with The Hindu, Thilakan repented that Malayalam film industry didn't utilize Pellissery's talent fully. And others said that he was very ‘simple and easy to work with.’ Pelliserry, even after being one of the well-known supporting actors, never let the twinkles of the stardom to get hold of him. His candid and kind attitude was a fresh breath of air to the industry.