✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Vivek (Tamil Actor)

Vivek (Tamil Actor) photo for featured biography, wiki and actors profileFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Actors

Vivek (Tamil Actor) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 17, 2026 • 3 min read

Request CorrectionClaim Profile

Quick Info

Date of birth19 November 1961

Age59 (at time of death)

BirthplaceNalla Village, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India

ProfessionActor and Scriptwriter

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseArulselvi Vivek

FamilyChildren: Prasanna Kumar (son, deceased), Tejaswini (daughter), Amritha Nandini (daughter); Parents: Angayya and Maniyammal

Vivek (Tamil Actor) Biography

Vivek (born Vivekanandan) was a celebrated Tamil actor, scriptwriter and comedian known for his comic roles and social-environmental activism. Rising from戲

Early life and background

Vivekanandan, known professionally as Vivek, was born on 19 November 1961 in Nalla Village in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. He completed his schooling in Tamil Nadu and went on to graduate in commerce before earning a Master of Commerce. He attended institutions including American College, Madurai, SRM Arts & Science College and the Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies.

Before entering films full time, Vivek worked in the Tamil Nadu government secretariat and performed stand-up comedy with the Madras Humour Club. His work there led to an introduction to veteran director K. Balachander, who brought him into the film world initially as a scriptwriter.

Career

Vivek’s entry into cinema came while he was working on a film script in 1987. He was offered a small acting role in the Tamil film Manathil Uruthi Vendum, which marked his on-screen debut. Early in his career he took on brief appearances in several Tamil films through the late 1980s and 1990s, building his presence gradually.

He gained widespread recognition for his comic performances and became one of Tamil cinema’s most familiar comedians. Notable appearances that brought him attention include roles in Anniyan (2005), Sivaji (2007), Velaiilla Pattathari (2014), VIP 2 (2017), and Dharala Prabhu (2020). His final film role was a supporting part in Indian 2 (2021).

Over the years Vivek earned multiple awards for his contributions to Tamil films, particularly in the comedy genre. His honours include Filmfare Awards for performances in Run (2002), Saamy (2003) and Perazhagan (2004); several Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Comedian; the Kalaimamani award in 2006; an Edison Award for Guru En Aalu (2007); and the national civilian honour Padma Shri in 2009. In 2015 he was conferred a Doctor of Literature degree by Sathyabama University in recognition of his social contributions through cinema.

Public profile

Outside of films Vivek was active as a singer, recording several songs for Tamil films, and as a brand ambassador for commercial campaigns including Mirinda and Nathella jewellery. He also appeared in television commercials for brands such as Bajaj Boxer and Medimix Ayurveda.

Vivek was deeply involved in environmental and social initiatives. He founded Go Green Initiative (Thuimai Arunai) and later developed projects under the guidance of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, including the Green Kalam Project and the Green Globe Project targeting global warming. He participated in large-scale tree-planting drives and spoke publicly about ambitious planting goals entrusted to him. He and actress Jyothika were chosen as brand ambassadors for the plastic-free Tamil Nadu campaign.

Personal life

Vivek was married to Arulselvi Vivek. The couple had three children: a son, Prasanna Kumar, who died at age 13, and two daughters, Tejaswini and Amritha Nandini. His parents were Angayya and Maniyammal.

Later years and death

Vivek remained a prominent presence in Tamil cinema and public life until his death on 17 April 2021. He passed away at SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai, at the age of 59. Hospital reports described an acute cardiac event. His death prompted condolences from many colleagues and public figures in the Indian film community.

Latest updates

Vivek’s filmography and social work continue to be remembered by fans and peers. His most recent screen appearance was in Indian 2 (2021), released with his supporting role listed among his final credits.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Vivek (Tamil Actor), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

Accuracy

Request a Correction

Tell us what needs to be updated and share a reliable source so the editorial team can review it.

Ownership

Claim This Profile

If this profile is about you or your client, send your contact details and verification context.

◈

Recent Work

Indian 2

Supporting role (Tamil film, 2021)

2021
Dharala Prabhu

Featured role (Tamil film, 2020)

2020
VIP 2

Featured role (Tamil film, 2017)

2017
Velaiilla Pattathari

Featured role (Tamil film, 2014)

2014
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Debut in Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987)
  2. Widely recognised comic actor in Tamil cinema
  3. Filmfare Awards for Run (2002), Saamy (2003), Perazhagan (2004)
  4. Multiple Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Comedian
  5. Kalaimamani award (2006) and Padma Shri (2009)
  6. Doctor of Literature degree from Sathyabama University (2015)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

People Also Search For

Indian TV ActressesSingersBollywood ActorsTV ActressesSouth Indian ActorsActors biographies
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Vivek (Tamil Actor) born?

Vivek (Tamil Actor) was born on 19 November 1961.

What is Vivek (Tamil Actor) known for?

Vivek (Tamil Actor) is known for actor and Scriptwriter.

What is Vivek (Tamil Actor)’s marital status?

Vivek (Tamil Actor)'s marital status is listed as Married (at time of death).

Who is Vivek (Tamil Actor) married to?

Vivek (Tamil Actor) is publicly listed as married to Arulselvi Vivek.