'''Vivek''' ({{lang-ta|விவேக்}}; born 19 November 1961 in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India as '''Vivekananthan''') is a [[Tamil people|Tamil]] [[film actor]] and [[comedian]] born in the Thevar community (Kallar subcaste) from [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. He completed a [[Bachelor of Commerce]] degree from [[The American College in Madurai|The American College]], Madurai. He has won four [[Filmfare Best Comedian Award (Tamil)|Filmfare Best Comedian Award]]s for his performances in ''[[Run (2002 film)|Run]]'', ''[[Saamy]]'', ''[[Perazhagan]]'' and ''[[Sivaji: The Boss|Sivaji]]'', respectively.
'''Vivek''' ({{lang-ta|விவேக்}}; born 19 November 1961 in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India as '''Vivekananthan''') is a [[Tamil people|Tamil]] [[film actor]] and [[comedian]] born in the Thevar community (Kallar subcaste) from [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. He completed a [[Bachelor of Commerce]] degree from [[The American College in Madurai|The American College]], Madurai. He has won four [[Filmfare Best Comedian Award (Tamil)|Filmfare Best Comedian Award]]s for his performances in ''[[Run (2002 film)|Run]]'', ''[[Saamy]]'', ''[[Perazhagan]]'' and ''[[Sivaji: The Boss|Sivaji]]'', respectively.
In [[April 2009]], Vivek was received the [[Padma Shri]] award by the [[Government of India]] for his contribution to the arts.<ref>http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/44536.html</ref>
In [[April 2009]], Vivek received the [[Padma Shri]] award by the [[Government of India]] for his contribution to the arts.<ref>http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/44536.html</ref>
Vivek debuted in with Manathil Uruthi Vendum in 1987. He was usually a comedian in small roles till the late 1990s. He eventually had larger roles and a separate comedy track for comic relief, even in more serious movies. During his peak he was an important part of movies like Kushi, Minnale, Run and Saamy. His long pending movie where he played the lead role Solli Addipean is yet to release due to financial problems.
