Gemini Ganesan, one of South India's most beloved actors, passed away on March 22, 2005 at the age of 84. A true film icon, he was a leading figure of the Tamil film industry also known as "Kollywood" and acted in over 250 movies in his remarkable career spanning six decades. Born Ramaswamy Ganesan in 1920, he began his acting career on the stage in 1941 and soon transitioned to the silver screen. He became an overnight sensation with the movie Manam Pola Mangalyam in 1946. This began a long list of successful movie roles, including unforgettable performances in Missiyamma, Miss Malini and Thirumbi Paar. With such masterpieces, Ganesan became renowned for his role as the romantic, leading man in Tamil cinema. Offscreen, Ganesan was a loving father, who later won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1995. His enthusiasm and talent was an inspiration to generations of Indian cinema, and he will continue to be revered as one of the most iconic figures in Tamil cinema. He is survived by his wife Pushpam, daughter Rekha, and son Kamalhassan.