Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.

[1] Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao appeared in more than 400 feature films, starring in many, in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore.

[3][4][5] Rao was born into a Telugu Brahmin family to Kesavarao and Seetaramamma at Kodad of Nalgonda district in present-day Telangana on 16 November 1923.

[citation needed] He then shifted to Madras in 1950 and used to stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.

[citation needed] H. M. Reddy gave him a chance to play a small role in Nirdoshi in 1951 and as his hero for Pratigna in 1953.

They include some popular roles in films like Jayasimha (1955), Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966), Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963), Lava Kusha (1963), Nartanasala (1963), Pandava Vanavasam (1965) and Muthyala Muggu (1975).

[7] He produced four films between 1969 and 1974, Saptaswaralu, Gandara Gandadu, Premajeevulu and Gundelu Theesina Monagadu and lost all his previous earnings.