Thiruvanathapuram: Malayalam film and serial actor Ravi Vallathol passed away in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

The actor was under treatment for Alzheimer's disease in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 67.

In a career spanning over three decades, he had acted in 46 films and over 100 television serials.

Vallathol debuted as an actor with the serial Vaitharani on Dooradarshan in 1986. He however, entered the film industry as a lyricist.

His first movie was Swathi Thirunal (1987), directed by Lenin Rajendran.

Vallathol is known for his roles in the movies Mathilukal, Kottayam Kunjachan, Godfather, Vishnulokam, Commissioner, Nalu Pennungal, Sagarm Sakshi, Vidheyan, Nizhalkkuthu, Samantharangal, and Sargam.

Vallathol had also penned 25 short stories. His stage play Revathikkoru Pavakkutty was later adapted into a film.

Ravi Vallathol was born on 25 November 1952 as the son of playwright T N Gopinathan Nair and Soudamini in Malappuram. He is the nephew of poet Vallathol Narayana Menon.

He completed his degree at Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvanathapuram and post graduation in Sociology at Karayavattom Kerala University.

He has been honoured with the Best Actor award in Television.

He is survived by wife Geethalakshmi. The couple has been running an organisation for mentally challenged named Thanal.

Kerala CM expresses condolences

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his condolences to the grieving family. "Ravi Vallathol was an actor who played extraordinary characters on screen with finesse. His demise will be a great loss to the film and television fraternity," he said.

Great writer and social worker: Ramesh Chennithala

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala also expressed his condolences to the actor's family. "He was a great actor as well as talented writer and dedicated social worker. Like his father late drama artist TN Gopinathan, he has made outstanding contributions to this society," Chennithala said.