Ambareesh

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Ambareesh
Ambareesh in 2006
Minister of Housing, Government of Karnataka
In office 28 May 2013 – 17 September 2016
Preceded by	V. Somanna
Succeeded by	M. Krishnappa
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting
In office 24 October 2006 – 15 February 2007
Prime Minister	Manmohan Singh
Succeeded by	Choudhury Mohan Jatua S. Jagathrakshakan
Member of parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 1998–2009
Preceded by	Krishna
Succeeded by	N. Chaluvaraya Swamy
Constituency	Mandya
Personal details
Born	Malavalli Huchche Gowda Amarnath (1952-05-29)29 May 1952 Doddarasinakere, Mandya, Mysore State, India
Died	24 November 2018(2018-11-24) (aged 66) Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Political party	Indian National Congress (1994–1996, 1999–2018)
Other political affiliations	Janata Dal (1996–1999)
Spouse	Sumalatha ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	Abhishek (son)
Profession	Actor Politician

Malavalli Huchchegowda Amarnath (29 May 1952 – 24 November 2018),^[1] known by his screen name Ambareesh, was an Indian actor, media personality, politician from the state of Karnataka. Alongside Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan, he is counted in Kannada cinema's "triumvirate" as its most celebrated actor.^[2][3]

With his debut in Puttanna Kanagal's Naagarahaavu (1972), Ambareesh's acting career commenced with a brief phase of portraying antagonistic and supporting characters. After establishing himself as a lead actor portraying rebellious characters on screen in several commercially successful films, he earned the moniker Rebel Star, similar to Krishnam Raju in Telugu cinema.^[4] He also earned the nickname Mandyada Gandu (transl. Man of Mandya)^[5] and continues to hold a matinee idol status in the popular culture of Karnataka.

After entering politics in 1994, Ambareesh became a three-time member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament representing Mandya, first from Janata Dal and the latter two times from the Indian National Congress, a member of which he remained till his death. During the third term, he briefly served as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, between October 2006 and February 2007, as part of the First Manmohan Singh ministry. Between 2013 and 2016, he was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and served as the Minister of Housing during the time as part of the Siddaramaiah cabinet.^[6]

Besides winning many State Film Awards and Filmfare Awards South during his acting career, Ambareesh was honoured with the honorary doctorate by the Karnatak University in 2013.^[7] He is also a recipient of NTR National Award, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South and Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award, all awarded recognizing lifetime achievements and contribution to cinema. Having suffered from a breathing problem in 2014, Ambareesh died four years later.^[8]