Skip to content
Livingston profile photo

Livingston

RanjanRanjan LivingstonRhanjanPhilip Livingston Jonesலிவிங்ஸ்டன்J. Livingston

Livingston is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Livingston began their career in 1995 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 31 years. With over 120 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.1, Livingston remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Livingston's influence on Tamil cinema is generational — their work continues to define the standard for the industry.

Born
Age
68
120+Known Credits
4.9Avg Rating
legendCareer Phase

Biography

Livingston (Philip Livingston Jones) is an Indian Tamil cinema actor and screenwriter known primarily for comedy and supporting roles, with a career spanning over 180 films since the late 1980s. He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for his performance in Sollamale (1998), and is also recognized for his roles in Captain Prabhakaran (1991) and Magalir Mattum (2017), the latter directed by Bramma G alongside Jyotika and Urvashi. He began his career as a screenwriter on films like Kaakki Sattai (1985) before transitioning to acting, with his first starring role in Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran (1988). He played Inspector Shanmugam in Vanathai Pola (2000), directed by Vikraman, demonstrating his range across comedy and character-driven supporting parts.

Career Milestones

1984

Film debut

View film →
2007

50th film

View film →
2022

100th film

View film →
2025

Highest rated: Chennai City Gangsters (10.0)

View film →

Iconic Roles

Nadaraj1998

Sollamale

Played a supporting role in this romantic drama film directed by Vasanth.

Supporting Role2019

Peranbu

Appeared in this critically acclaimed drama film directed by Ram.

Supporting Role2022

Taanakkaran

Played a role in this prison drama film starring Vikram Prabhu.

Defining Moments

1990

Film Debut

Made his acting debut in the Tamil film 'En Uyir Thozhan' under the stage name Ranjan.

1998

Breakthrough Role

Gained recognition for his role as Nadaraj in the successful romantic film 'Sollamale'.

2019

Critical Acclaim

Received praise for his performance in the critically acclaimed film 'Peranbu'.

The Numbers

Livingston by the Numbers

Total Films0
Back-to-back Watch0 days+ 16h
Hit Ratio0%
Yrs Active0
Versatility0/10
Repeat Directors0
Biggest CollaborationDeva11 films together

If you watched every Livingston film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 10 days and 16h. Most-paired with Deva — 11 films together.

Collaboration Network

Collaboration Network

The Constellation

Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Livingston.

Livingstonnfilms togetherSee full filmography →

Career Analytics

Genre Breakdown

Drama
28%
Comedy
19%
Thriller
14%
Romance
11%
Action
8%
Family
8%
Fantasy
6%
Horror
3%

Language Distribution

Tamil
98%
Telugu
2%

Films by Decade

5
1980s
16
1990s
40
2000s
29
2010s
20
2020s

Top Co-Actors

See all →

Livingston has worked most frequently with A. Venkatesh (4 films), Sundar C. (2 films), Rama Narayanan (2 films), Selva (2 films), and Perarasu (2 films).

Did You Know?

1

Livingston is the son of veteran Tamil film director and producer T. R. Ramanna.

2

He began his career as an assistant director to his father before becoming an actor.

3

He is also a screenwriter and has written scripts for several Tamil films.

4

He initially acted under the stage name 'Ranjan' in his early films.

5

He is known for his naturalistic acting style and often portrays common man roles.

Ambika's Son and Levingston's daughter pairs up

News & Stories

Ambika's Son and Levingston's daughter pairs up

Ambika's Son and Levingston's daughter pairs up

8/3/2018

Legacy & Influence

Livingston, born on August 21, 1968, has carved a distinct and respected niche in Tamil cinema as a versatile character actor and screenwriter. His career, spanning over three decades, is marked by a deliberate shift from early supporting roles under the stage name 'Ranjan' to becoming a reliable and nuanced performer known for his naturalistic portrayals of everyday characters. While he has occasionally played antagonistic roles, his true contribution lies in his ability to bring depth, authenticity, and quiet dignity to a wide array of supporting parts, often serving as the emotional anchor or moral compass within a narrative. His filmography demonstrates a consistent choice of scripts that prioritize substance, working with acclaimed directors like Ram in 'Peranbu' (2019), where his performance added significant layers to the film's profound exploration of human relationships and adversity. More recently, his role in the critically acclaimed 'Taanakkaran' (2022) showcased his ability to embody institutional authority with complexity. As a screenwriter, he has contributed to the narrative depth of several projects, further underscoring his understanding of cinematic storytelling beyond performance. Livingston's legacy is not one of stardom but of steadfast craftsmanship. He represents the essential backbone of the industry—the actor who elevates every scene he is in without seeking the spotlight, thereby enriching the overall texture and realism of Tamil cinema. His career trajectory from a familiar face to a trusted artist reflects a commitment to the art of acting, making him a respected figure among peers and a valued presence for directors seeking authentic character portrayals.

Frequently Asked Questions