As the glamorous owner of The White Lotus in Thailand, Sritala is a central character in the third season of the popular HBO series. But who is the actress behind the resort's wellness pioneer? That would be Lek Patravadi (who also goes by Patravadi 'Lek' Mejudhon). The newcomer has been dubbed the 'Judi Dench of Thailand' by the show's acclaimed director, Mike White, which tells us she's pretty big news. As part of the season three cast, Lek is sharing the screen with stars including Walton Goggins, Sam Nivola, Natasha Rothwell, Aimee Lou Woods, Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon and Lisa Manobal. We did some digging to find out more about the youth-defying White Lotus boss...
Who is Lek Patravadi?
Lek is a woman of versatility, as her talents include acting, playwriting, directing and producing, and teaching. While she is celebrated for her talent on screen, she is equally as successful off screen, having opened the Patravadi Theatre in the early 90s - the country's first open-air kind. According to Nation Thailand, the Patravadi Theatre 'served as a platform for rookie Thai and foreign performers, directors and choreographers to share and hone their skills while at the same time "educating" the Thai audience about what is possible in the theatre'. A decade later, Lek established the Patravadi School and its Vic Hin Theatre in Hua Hin, which existed as a 'valuable training ground for youngsters'.
How old is Lek Patravadi?
Lek was born on 27 May 1948, making her 76 years old.
Which TV shows and films has Lek Patravadi been in?
Lek won Best Actress at the Takkata Thong Awards for her 1973 role in Mai Mee Sawan Samrab Khun - a performance that has been widely regarded as her breakout.
After being proudly named as a National Artist in Performing Arts in 2015, she played family matriarch A-ma in In Family We Trust in 2018.
Is Lek Patravadi married and does she have children?
Lek's relationship status is unknown, as is whether she has children.
What has Lek Patravadi said about The White Lotus?
Lek has been highly complimentary about the atmosphere while filming The White Lotus in Thailand. She said, 'I stopped performing in movies for a long time because of the heat. For this one, it's nice and comfortable. The team, the cast, they were so warm, gentle... and fast. It's not a lot of waiting. Lunch, breakfast, the stars can always talk to the team.'
Millie Payne is a News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia. She has specialised in showbiz interviews, features, articles and roundups for over three years and loves combining her love for writing, talking and all things popular culture.