Sombat Metanee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sombat Metanee
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| สมบัติ เมทะนี | |
Sombat at the 2nd World Film Festival of Bangkok in 2004
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| Born | 26 June 1937 Ubon Ratchathani, Siam
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| Died | 18 August 2022 (aged 85) Bangkok, Thailand
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| Nationality | Thai |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1960–2017 |
| Spouse(s) |
Kanchana
(m. 1959) |
| Awards | National Artist (2016) |
Sombat Metanee (Thai: สมบัติ เมทะนี; born June 26, 1937 – died August 18, 2022) was a famous Thai actor and film director. He was recognized as a National Artist in 2016 for his amazing work in movies and TV shows.
Sombat once held a Guinness World Record for appearing in the most films. He said he acted in over 2,000 movies and TV series, including Thai soap operas called lakorns. He was a very busy lead actor in action films, romantic movies, dramas, comedies, and musicals. This was especially true in the 1960s and 1970s. He kept acting in Thai films and TV shows, and often appeared on talk shows and in commercials. Some of his later well-known films include Tears of the Black Tiger and The Legend of Suriyothai.
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Early Life and Start in Acting
Sombat was born in Ubon Ratchathani, his mother's hometown. Just seven days after he was born, his family moved to Bangkok. They settled near the Hua Lamphong railway station. His father worked for the Royal State Railways of Siam, which is now the State Railway of Thailand. Because of this, Sombat was considered a true Bangkokian.
After finishing school and serving in the army, Sombat was encouraged to join the show business. This happened while he was looking for work in the Wang Burapha area.
How Sombat Began His Career
Sombat started his acting journey in 1960. Namdee Witta, who led a TV performance group, introduced him to the industry. Sombat starred in a TV series called Hua Jai Pratana, which means 'Heart's Desires'.
His good looks quickly caught the attention of Noi Kamolwatin. Noi was a film director from the Kamolsilpa Pappayon studio. Noi chose Sombat to star in the movie Roong Petch ('Diamond Rainbow'). This film was a huge hit when it opened in Bangkok. Sombat was a popular leading man because of his strong body and handsome face. Both men and women sent him fan letters. In 2006, Sombat said in an interview, "I never thought of acting, but I was good-looking, and smart."
Sombat then starred in four more films for Kamolsilpa Pappyon. These included Skao Duen in 1962, and Singh Sang Pa, Saming Sao, and Nagm-Ngon, all released in 1963. After that, director Tawee Na Bangchang, also known as Kru Marut, picked him for Tawan Lang Lued ('Blood of the Sun'). He also appeared in Kao Mangkorn ('Nine Dragons'). His old talent scout, Namdee Witta, cast him in the action film Singh La Singh ('The Lion vs The Lion'). In this movie, he acted alongside Mitr Chaibancha, who was Thailand's top leading man at the time.
Becoming a Top Thai Actor
Sombat often did his own stunts, just like Mitr Chaibancha. He was a big action star. After Mitr's sad death in 1970, Sombat became the most popular leading man in Thailand. He often acted with Petchara Chaowarat, who was Mitr's frequent co-star. An example is the 1971 musical comedy, Ai Tui ('Mr. Tui'). However, Sombat was mostly paired with Aranya Namwong. They became the new top screen couple in Thailand.
In 1966, Sombat won a "Golden Doll" award. This was like the Academy Award in Thailand at that time. He won for best actor in Suek Bang Rajan ('The Battle of Bang Rajan'). King Bhumibol himself gave him the award.
In 1973, Sombat started his own film company called Metanee Film. It operated for five years and made 23 films. One of these was the action-comedy Nak Leng Tewada ('The Holy Hoodlum') in 1975.
Other films from the 1970s include the prison drama Narok Tarutao ('The Hell of Tarutao'). He also starred in the historical epic Khun Suk (War Lord). He played a cowboy in The Reluctant Gunman and a gangster in Louie. He romanced Aranya Namwong in Chain of Love. He was also the Man With a Thousand Masks and controlled robot assassins in Nak Leng Computer ('Gangster Computer'). In the 1976 film Choompae, he played a tough character who was not a typical hero.
Sombat's Later Acting Roles
As Sombat got older, he moved away from playing only hero roles. He started taking on roles as the main bad guy. He was the leading villain in the 2000 Thai western film, Tears of the Black Tiger. This movie honored the action films he starred in during the 1960s and 1970s.
Besides Tears of the Black Tiger, Sombat was part of an all-star Thai cast in Chatrichalerm Yukol's The Legend of Suriyothai. He had a small funny role in the 2004 comedy, Bangkok Loco. In 2005, he played a senior police officer in the horror-comedy, Buppah Rahtree Phase 2: Rahtree Returns.
He was often seen on Thai TV talk shows. In 2006, he appeared in a TV commercial for a DVD player. In the commercial, he made fun of his own action roles from the 1970s.
In 2004, a restored version of Ai Tui, the 1971 musical comedy he starred in with Petchara Chaowarat, was shown. This happened at the 2nd World Film Festival of Bangkok. Sombat was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival. The festival showed five of his films to celebrate his career. These included Blood of the Sun from the 1960s, and The Holy Hoodlum, Narok Tarutao, War Lord, and Tears of the Black Tiger from later years.
Sombat's Singing Career
Sombat had a natural singing voice. He recorded about 200 songs. He also released many movie soundtrack records and albums, like Sombat Kong Yow in 1981. He also wrote his own life story, which came out in 1994.
Personal Life and Passing
Sombat married his wife Kanchana in 1959. They had been neighbors and knew each other since they were kids. Kanchana also helped manage his film company. His oldest son, Siricoup, acted in Chatrichalerm Yukol's 1993 film Salween. Siricoup is now a race-car driver.
Sombat passed away on August 18, 2022, at 85 years old. Many actors and actresses shared their sadness with his family on social media. His death was a big loss for the Thai entertainment world.
Images for kids
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Sombat at the 2nd World Film Festival of Bangkok in 2004
