Noted Tamil actor 'Delhi' Ganesh passed away late last night at his residence here following a brief illness, his family members said on Sunday.

He was 80 years old.

The actor's son, Maha Delhi Ganesh, told reporters that his father had age-related ailments and that he was under treatment. "Last night when we tried to give him a tablet, he did not respond. A doctor confirmed that he was dead," he said.

In a statement, the family said Delhi Ganesh passed away at 11 pm on November 9.

His acting career spanned over four decades and he appeared in over 400 movies, cementing his place as a cherished character actor in Tamil cinema. He was known for his ability to seamlessly slip into a variety of roles, whether it was a comedian, a villain, or a heartfelt supporting character.

Over the years, he shared screen space with some of Tamil cinema's greatest stars, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and others. Ganesh made his film debut in 1976 with the movie Pattina Pravesam, directed by the legendary K Balachander, who also gave him the stage name Delhi Ganesh.

In 1981, Ganesh took on the role of the hero in Engamma Maharani, but it was his extensive work as a supporting actor that made him a household name. His most iconic roles included performances in films like Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Nayakan (1987), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Aahaa.. (1997), and Thenali (2000), where his ability to evoke both humour and emotion won him widespread acclaim.

Delhi Ganesh's contribution to Tamil cinema was recognised with several accolades. He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his performance in 'Pasi' (1979). Not only this, he was honoured with the prestigious Kalaimamani award in 1994 by then Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, recognising his excellence in the arts.

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