[1] One of the earliest pillars in Sinhala cinema, Samaranayake acted in several critically acclaimed films such as Peralena Iranama, Perakadoru Bena, Kapati Arakshakaya, Duppathage Duka, and Daivayogaya.
[2] His father, Charles Samaranayake, was a notary, and his mother, Dona Isabella Perera, was a housewife.
[3] At the age of 14, the college held an open singing competition, where Mark became the winner and Laddie became the runner-up.
[2] He accepted the offer, went to the Arcadian Drama Club in Borella, and acted in the play Mathabhedaya.
After that, Mark also formed the Drama Society called 'Lunuwila Victory' in 1946 and produced three stage plays: Andha Aalaya, Wasanawa, and Aladdin.
[2] Then, his notable acting came as an arrogant woman, a 'cunning magician' in Ahankara Sthree, and Buddhi in Matalan in 1955.
In the film, his friend Laddie acts as the main antagonist 'Baladeva' and his wife, Pearl, as 'Baladeva's sister.
[7] In his last years, he played several characters of an elderly father in film such as Thushara, Sahanaya, Me Desa Kumatada, and Aege Adara Kathawa.