This list outlines the names of notable male film actors, who previously worked or are currently working in the Tamil film industry, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The list is ordered by the year of their debut as a leading actor.
1930s
YearName Debut film Other notable films1934M. K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharPavalakkodiAmbikapathy (1937), Haridas (1944), Amarakavi (1952)1936P. U. ChinnappaChandrakanthaUthama Puthiran (1940), Harichandra (1944), Jagathalapratapan (1944) M. G. RamachandranSathi LeelavathiNadodi Mannan (1958), Rickshawkaran (1971), Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973)
1940s
Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1946 M. N. Nambiar Vidyapathi Nadodi Mannan (1958), Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Ninaithadhai Mudippavan (1975) 1947 Gemini Ganesan Miss Malini Vanjikottai Valiban (1958), Kalyana Parisu (1959), Naan Avanillai (1974) M. K. Mustafa Kanjan Abimanyu (1948), Kaithi (1951), Sivagangai Seemai (1959), Harichandra (1968)
1950s
Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1952Sivaji GanesanParasakthiVeerapandiya Kattabomman (1959), Deiva Magan (1969), Mudhal Mariyathai (1985)S. S. RajendranMudhalali (1957), Poompuhar (1964), Pazhani (1965) 1954M. R. RadhaRatha KanneerPaava Mannippu (1961), Bale Pandiya (1962), Karpagam (1963) 1957 R. Muthuraman Karpukkarasi Nenjil Or Aalayam (1962), Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964), Ooty Varai Uravu (1967) 1958 Nagesh Manamulla Maruthaaram Server Sundaram (1964), Neerkumizhi (1965), Ethir Neechal (1968)
1960s
Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1963 A. V. M. Rajan Naanum Oru Penn Veera Abhimanyu (1965), Thillana Mohanambal (1968), Dheivam (1972) 1964Ravichandran Kadhalikka Neramillai Adhey Kangal (1967), Justice Viswanathan (1971), Sabatham (1971) 1965 Sivakumar Kaakum Karangal Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari (1979), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Marupakkam (1990) 1965 Jaishankar Iravum Pagalum Vallavan Oruvan (1966), CID Shankar (1970), Nootrukku Nooru (1971)
1970s
Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1973Kamal HaasanArangetramApoorva Raagangal (1975), Moondram Pirai (1983), Nayakan (1987), Indian (1996), Dasavathaaram (2008), Vikram (2022) 1973 Vijayakumar Ponnukku Thanga Manasu Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Nattamai (1994) 1975 Rajinikanth Apoorva Raagangal Mullum Malarum (1978), Baashha (1995), Padayappa (1999), Chandramukhi (2005), Sivaji (2007), Enthiran (2010), Kabali (2016), 2.0 (2018), Jailer (2023) 1978 Sathyaraj Sattam En Kaiyil Vedham Pudhithu (1987), Amaithipadai (1994), Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) 1978 Sarath Babu Nizhal Nijamagiradhu Mullum Malarum (1978), Nenjathai Killathe (1980), Muthu (1995) 1978 Sudhakar Kizhake Pogum Rail Niram Maaratha Pookkal (1979), Enga Ooru Rasathi (1980), Rusi Kanda Poonai (1980) 1978 Vijayan Kizhake Pogum Rail Uthiripookkal (1979), Pasi (1979), Niram Maaratha Pookkal (1979) 1979 Rajesh Kanni Paruvathile Andha 7 Naatkal (1981), Anal Kaatru (1983), Achamillai Achamillai (1984) 1979 Bhagyaraj Puthiya Vaarpugal Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), Chinna Veedu (1985), Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari (1995) 1979 Vijayakanth Inikkum Ilamai Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), Captain Prabhakaran (1991), Chinna Gounder (1992), Vaanathaippola (2000), Ramanaa (2002) 1979 Pratap Pothen Azhiyatha Kolangal Moodu Pani (1980), Nenjathai Killathe (1980), Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai (1985) 1979 Suman Neechal Kulam Ellam Inba Mayyam (1981), Thee (1981), Sivaji (2007), Kuruvi (2008)
1980s
Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1980 Mohan Moodu Pani Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982), Mouna Ragam (1986), Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu (1987) 1980 Raveendran Oru Thalai Ragam Echchil Iravugal (1982), En Priyame (1983), Adutha Varisu (1983) 1980 Shankar Oru Thalai Ragam Sujatha (1980), Kanalukku Karaiyethu (1982), Kadhal Enum Nadhiyinile (1989) 1980 Chandrasekhar Oru Thalai Ragam Palaivana Solai (1981), Oomai Vizhigal (1986), Nanba Nanba (2002) 1980 Nizhalgal Ravi Nizhalgal Nayakan (1987), Ore Oru Gramathiley (1989), Adhisaya Manithan (1990) 1980 S. Ve. Sekhar Varumayin Niram Sivappu Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981), Manal Kayiru (1982), Poove Poochooda Vaa (1985) 1981 Rajeev Rail Payanangalil Palaivana Solai (1981), Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal (1982), Chain Jayapal (1985) 1981 Visu Kudumbam Oru Kadambam Chidambara Rahasiyam (1985), Samsaram Adhu Minsaaram (1986), Varavu Nalla Uravu (1990) 1981 Thiagarajan Alaigal Oivathillai Malaiyoor Mambattiyan (1983), Neengal Kettavai (1984), Salem Vishnu (1990) 1981 Karthik Alaigal Oivathillai Agni Natchathiram (1988), Ponnumani (1993), Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) 1981 Suresh Panneer Pushpangal Manjal Nila (1982), Apoorva Sahodarigal (1983), Hello Yaar Pesurathu (1985) 1982 Prabhu Sangili Chinna Thambi (1992), Duet (1994), Chandramukhi (2005) 1982 Prem Menon Krodham Vetri Karangal (1991), Andha Naal (1996), Krodham 2 (2000) 1982 Raghuvaran Ezhavathu Manithan Puriyaadha Pudhir (1990), Baashha (1994), Mudhalvan (1999) 1983 Bhanu Chander Silk Silk Silk Neengal Kettavai (1984), Veedu (1988), Thimiru (2006) 1983 T. Rajendar Thangaikkor Geetham Mythili Ennai Kaathali (1986), Oru Thayin Sabhatham (1987), En Thangai Kalyani (1988) 1983 Anand Babu Thangaikkor Geetham Puriyaadha Pudhir (1990), Pudhu Vasantham (1990), Naan Pesa Ninaipathellam (1993) 1983 Pandiyan Mann Vasanai Pudhumai Penn (1984), Aan Paavam (1985), Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) 1984 Arjun Nandri Gentleman (1993), Jai Hind (1994), Mudhalvan (1999) 1984 Murali Poovilangu Pagal Nilavu (1985), Pudhu Vasantham (1990), Idhayam (1991) 1985 Pandiarajan Aan Paavam Paatti Sollai Thattathe (1998), Gopala Gopala (1996), Anjathe (2008) 1985 Arun Pandian Chidambara Rahasiyam Oomai Vizhigal (1986), Inaindha Kaigal (1990), Devan (2002) 1986 Ramarajan Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru Enga Ooru Pattukaran (1987), Karagattakaran (1989), Amman Kovil Vaasalile (1996) 1986 Rahman Nilave Malare Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989), Sangamam (1999), Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016) 1986 Raja Kadalora Kavithaigal Pudhu Vasantham (1990), Captain Magal (1993), Karuththamma (1994) 1987 Ramesh Aravind Manathil Uruthi Vendum Keladi Kanmani (1990), Duet (1994), Panchathantiram (2002) 1987 Ramki Chinna Poove Mella Pesu Inaindha Kaigal (1990), Rajali (1996), Irattai Roja (1996) 1987 Nassar Kavithai Paada Neramillai Nayakan (1987), Avatharam (1995), Saivam (2014) 1987 Charan Raj Neethikku Thandanai Naan Sonnathey Sattam (1988), Adhu Antha Kaalam (1988), Gentleman (1993) 1987 Vivek Manathil Uruthi Vendum Kaadhal Mannan (1998), Run (2002), Brindavanam (2017) 1988 Sarathkumar Kan Simittum Neram Nattamai (1994), Surya Vamsam (1997), Muni 2: Kanchana (2011) 1988 Livingston Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran Sundara Purushan (1996), Sollamale (1998), En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri (2001) 1989 Rajkiran Enne Petha Raasa Aranmanai Kili (1993), Nandhaa (2001), Pa. Pandi (2017) 1989 Parthiban Pudhiya Paadhai Bharathi Kannamma (1997), Azhagi (2002), Naanum Rowdydhaan (2015)
1990s
Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1990 Mammootty Mounam Sammadham Azhagan (1991), Thalapathi (1991), Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) Anand Nila Pennae Thalaivasal (1992), Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Avathara Purushan (1996) Vignesh Avanga Namma Ooru Ponnuga Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993), Raman Abdullah (1997), Soori (2003) Vikram En Kadhal Kanmani Sethu (1999), Pithamagan (2003), Anniyan (2005) Prashanth Vaigasi Poranthachu Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Jeans (1998), Thamizh (2002), Winner (2003) 1991 Napoleon Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu Seevalaperi Pandi (1994), Asuran (1995), Ettupatti Rasa (1997) Selva Aatha Un Koyilile Sakthivel (1994), Nattupura Pattu (1996), Golmaal (1998) Vadivelu En Rasavin Manasile Kaadhalan (1994), Winner (2003), Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006) Arvind Swamy Thalapathi Roja (1992), Bombay (1994), Thani Oruvan (2015), 1992 Saravanan Pondatti Rajyam Nallathe Nadakkum (1993), Thaai Manasu (1994), Paruthiveeran (2007) C. Joseph Vijay Naalaiya Theerpu Poove Unakkaga (1996), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007), Thuppaki (2012), Master (2021), Leo (2023) Vineeth Aavarampoo May Madham (1994), Kadhal Desam (1996), Chandramukhi (2005) 1993 Suresh Menon Pudhiya Mugam Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018), Kaalidas (2019), Koogle Kuttappa (2022) Jayaram Gokulam Murai Maman (1995), Thenali (2000), Julie Ganapathi (2003) Ranjith Pon Vilangu Sindhu Nathi Poo (1994), Maru Malarchi (1998), Bheeshmar (2003) Ajith Kumar Amaravathi Aasai (1995), Kadhal Kottai (1996), Vaalee (1999), Varalaru (2006), Mankatha (2011) 1994 Prakash Raj Duet Iruvar (1997), Ghilli (2004), Kanchivaram (2009) Prabhu Deva Indhu Kaadhalan (1994), Minsara Kanavu (1997), Ullam Kollai Poguthae (2001) Karan Nammavar Raman Abdullah (1997), Color Kanavugal (1998), Kokki (2006) 1995 Arun Vijay Murai Mappillai Pandavar Bhoomi (2001), Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), Yennai Arindhaal (2015)Jackie ShroffRangeela Bigil (2019)Aamir KhanCoolie (2025) 1996 Abbas Kadhal Desam V.I.P. (1997), Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), Aanandham (2001) 1997 Suriya Nerukku Ner Kaakha Kaakha (2003), Ghajini (2005), Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)MohanlalIruvarPop Corn (2003), Jilla (2014), Kaappan (2019) 1999 Kunal Kadhalar Dhinam Paarvai Ondre Podhume (2001), Punnagai Desam (2002), Super Da (2004) Manoj Bharathiraja Taj Mahal Samudhiram (2001), Alli Arjuna (2002), Annakodi (2013) Hamsavardhan Maanaseega Kadhal Vadagupatti Maapillai (2001), Junior Senior (2002), Manthiran (2005) Jai Akash Rojavanam Roja Kootam (2002), Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu (2003), Amudhae (2005)
2000s