S. P. Pillai (1913 – 12 June 1985) was an Indian film and stage actor, best known for his comic roles in Malayalam films.

Biography

S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in Ettumanoor, Kottayam. His father Shankara Pillai, was a police constable. Pillai lost his parents at a young age itself. He could not get basic education but obtained training in Ottan thullal from Kalamandalam for a few years. He started his career as a supporting actor in stage plays. His first film, Appan Thamburan's Bhootharayar, did not release. His first released film was Jnanambika (1940). He was shot to fame as a comedy actor after the superhit film Nalla Thanka (1951). He did notable roles in more than 300 films, including Snehaseema, Nayaru pidichapulivalu, Chemmen, Bharya, Vidarunna and Mottukal. He played the role of Paananar in almost all the Vadakkan Pattu films of Udaya. He has even sung the song Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam for the movie Thaskaraveeran, in 1957. Sanchari (1981) was his last film. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in Taxi Driver. He died on 12 June 1985. Actress Manju Pillai is his granddaughter.