Ronnie Leitch

Ronnie Leitch
රොනී ලීච්
Born Ronnie Luke Leitch
(1953-10-19)October 19, 1953
Dehiwela, Sri Lanka
Died 1 October 2018(2018-10-01) (aged 64)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Nationality Sri Lankan
Other names Thattaya
Occupation Dramatist, Actor, Singer, Comedian, Television presenter
Years active 1972-2018
Spouse(s)
Yvette Leitch (m. 1986)
Children Keshan Leitch
Keshia Leitch
Website https://ronnie-leitch.webs.com

Ronnie Luke Leitch (19 October 1954 – 1 October 2018),[1] better known as Ronni Leitch and Thattaya, was a Sri Lankan actor,[2] comedian, singer, presenter and a social activist. Largely popularized as a comedian, Leitch was a singer, having gained fame for singing over 350 songs.[3] His most notable songs include "Thattaya" and "Kauda Bole Alice".[4]

Family

Leitch was born on 19 October 1953 in Dehiwela. His father died on 26 December 2017 and funeral took place on 27 December at 4:00 p.m at the Mount Lavinia Cemetery.[5]

He married his childhood sweetheart, Yvette in 1986, and is the father of daughter Keshia and son Keshan.[6] Leitch met Yvette first in 1974 in Bellanvila, when their homes were situated in close proximity to each other. They married on 7 June 1986. Their first child, Keshia was born on 17 September 1989.[7] Keshia married on 8 June 2017.[8] Keshia is a past pupil of Bishop’s College, Colombo and Keshan is an old boy of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.[9]

Career

Since the age of 8 years old, Leitch made his foray into the entertainment industry by participating an All Island Talent Contest.[10] Leitch also worked in the Defense Ministry in for six years at the time of his daughter's birth.[8]

Before entering acting, Leitch performed as a singer in many outdoor and indoor musical shows.[11] He engaged with many musical bands in early 1980s,[12] such as Pioneers, Haze, Super Golden Chimes and Super Stars.[10][13] He had his first overseas tour in 1986 with the band Super Stars. In 1989, he rose to prominence by singing his most famous solo, Thattaya. He performed the song with the invitation by The Gypsies band leaders Sunil Perera and Piyal Perera.[8][14] With the huge popularity of the song, he decided to bald his head.

Leitch performed in many duets with Corrine Almeida and Mariazelle Gunathilake, which became popular hits such as Atha Mita Kasi Panam.[15]

Apart from acting and singing, Leitch entered television hosting with the children's program Poddange Weda which was telecasted by Sirasa TV in 2016.

Leitch was an active social activist where he involved in charity work and donations all across the country.[16] On 7 August 2010, he performed a musical night A Roaring Evening with Ronnie Leitch organized by The Lions Club of Athurugiriya Millennium City to raise the funds for financing community service projects.[17]

Death

Ronnie Leitch died on 1 October 2018 in Perth, whilst on a tour of Australia.[18] The cause for the death was revealed as cardiac arrest.[19] His remains brought to country on 10th October and kept at Jayaratne Florits for final rites. The body was finally buried at the Borella Cemetery on 11th October.[20]

Filmography

Starting with Athin Athata in 1973, Leitch performed as a comedian in many films.[21] His most notable films are Re Daniel Dawal Migel and Cheriyo film series. His last film acting came through 2018 film Yama Raja Siri, where he acted as one of the main protagonist.

YearFilmRoleNote
1983Athin AthataGuitarist
1986Yali HamuwennaiGuitarist
1986DushyanthiJagath
1996Cheriyo DarlingMeda KessPlayback singing
1997Savithrige Rathriya
1997Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's PoorHari
1997Ninja Sri Lanka
1998Re Daniel Dawal MigelCobra helper
2000Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2Cobra helper
2000Pem Kekula
2001Sellan Kukka
2001Jack And JillPlayback singing
2001Kinihirya MalMr. ShopmanPlayback singing
2001Hai Hui Babi AchchiMalu Kade Jora 'Wickramabahu Podi Appu'
2001Jonsun and GonsunThatta Sira
2002Onna BaboMingwaPlayback singing
2002Love 2002
2003Sepata Dukata SunnyCharlie
2003Numba Nadan Apita PissuMr. Balthazar
2004Clean OutJapan Thattaya
2004Jolly BoysTricked beachgoer
2006Rana Hansi
2008Ali Pancha Mage Mithura
2008Ai Oba Thaniwela
2009Leader
2010Mago Digo DaiDhanawansa[22]
2010Thank You BertyMunidasa
2011Ethumai Methumai
2011It's a Matter of Love[23]
2013Kauda Machan AliceThattayaPlayback singing
2013Raja HoruManager
2014Kosthapal PunyasomaBusinessman
2015Lantin SinghoPlayback singing
2015My Name Is BanduOIC
2016Natannethuwa DinnaGundaPlayback singing
2017Jolly Boys 2Jimmy
2017Sellam Nethnam Lellam
2017Dr. NawariyanDhanapala
2018Yama Raja SiriKing YamaLast screened film before death

Discography

Albums

Thattaya [24]
Tharu Wassa
Thattaya album included songs
No.TitleLength
1."Thattaya" (Album Version) 
2."Kauda Bole Alice" (Album Version) 
3."Andare" (Album Version) 
4."Bill Clinton" (Album Version) 
5."Api Katada Baya" (Album Version) 
6."Ai Api Kaluda" (Album Version) 
7."Bothale" (Album Version) 
8."Thatta Some" (Album Version) 
9."Sri Lanka Australia" (Album Version) 
10."Sudu Kelle" (Album Version) 
11."Bad Boy" (Album Version) 
12."Wechcha De" (Album Version) 
13."Man Giya Apaye" (Album Version) 
14."Paan" (Album Version) 
15."Ice Cream" (Album Version) 
16."Rae Mama" (Album Version) 
17."Nenda Maama" (Album Version) 

Solo Tracks

No.TitleLength
1."Siseeliya" (with Rajiv Sebastian (2002 Baila Sessions in Sri Lanka album)) 
2."Srini Ape Lankawe" (2002 Pop Hits of Sri Lanka Vol. 3 album) 
3."Atha Mita Kasi Panam" (With Corrine Almeida) 
4."Nidimatha Mehe Na" (With Corrine Almeida) 
5."Adda Lanuwa" 
6."Deege Ada Wage" 
7."Lissala Yanne" 
8."Nonage Aale" 
9."Waada Baila" 
10."Darling My Love" 
11."Loka Shoorayo" 
12."Tikiri Malee" (with Sashini Iddamalgoda) 
13."Ah Ha Warella" (with Rodney Warnakula) 
14."Mage Hithe Tiyena" (with Kalawathi) 

References

  1. ↑ "Popular singer, comedian Ronnie Leitch has died". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "Ronnie Leitch - Actor". National Film Corporation Of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. ↑ "Popular singer Ronnie Leitch has passed away". News First. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  5. ↑ "Death of Ronnie Leitch's father". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ronnie Leitch passes away". Daily Mirror-mirrorcitizen. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Keshiya: From the daughter of 'thataya' to a rising star". colombogazette. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 "No laughing matter!". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "Old songs in danger - Ronnie". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  10. 1 2 "All-round Superstar Ronnie Leitch passes away". Pulse. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Big surprise for Mirage!". The Island. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  12. ↑ "Family Nite with Annesleys". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  13. ↑ "Album Tharu wessa". amazon. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  14. ↑ "The Generations show: Never before on stage". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  15. ↑ "Mariazelle's 40 Bash unfolds today". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  16. ↑ "Wonderful sounds of the 70s". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  17. ↑ "'Roaring Evening' with Ronnie". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  18. ↑ "Popular Singer And Comedian Ronnie Leitch Passes Away In Australia Due To Sudden Illness". Asian Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  19. ↑ "Popular singer Ronnie Leitch passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  20. ↑ "Ronnie says good bye today". Ada Derana. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  21. ↑ "Ronnie Leitch - රොනී ලීච් filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  22. ↑ "Mago Digo Dai". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  23. ↑ "ANARKALLI'S love on time." Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  24. ↑ "Thattaya - Ronnie Leitch album". KND Enterprises. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
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