C. Joseph Vijay (born 22 June 1974) is an Indian film actor, playback singer and dancer who works in Tamil cinema. Referred to by fans and media as Thalapathy (commander), Vijay is the highest paid actor and one of the most significant figures in the industry. By 2017, he became the second-highest grossing actor in Tamil cinema history, behind Rajinikanth. As of 2019, Vijay has acted in 64 films as a lead actor and won numerous awards including three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, eight Vijay Awards, an Indiatoday Award, SIIMA Award, Cosmopolitan Award and National Film Award UK, three Edison Awards and two Vikatan Awards. He received an honorary doctorate from the Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2007 for his contributions to social welfare and in honour of his achievements in the film industry. He has been included five times in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list, based on the earnings of Indian celebrities.