Rano Karno (born 8 October 1960) is an Indonesian actor and politician who is the vice governor of Jakarta since 20 February 2025. Previously,he served as Governor of Banten from 2014 to 2017. As a result of his fame gained from his acting career,he is known for starring in the 1979 film Gita Cinta dari SMA and his role as Si Doel in various media starting from the 1972 film Si Doel Anak Betawi.
Karno was born on 8 October 1960[1] as the son of actor Sukarno M. Noor,who was of Minangkabau descent with ancestral roots in Bonjol,Pasaman,West Sumatra (although he was born and brought up in the capital to parents from the said village) and his ethnic local-born Betawi wife,Lily Istiarti Sukarno,and grew up in Kemayoran,Central Jakarta.[1][2] Due to his father's low earnings,he was raised in poverty;he later quipped that his family had had one plate to feed five people,like a popular dangdut song.[2] Although the family's finances would not have been enough to see him through his schooling,he was able to finish his schooling after the fees were reduced by half.[2] As an escape from his family's poverty,Karno would go to a Balai Pustaka-run library and read classic works of Indonesian literature,including novels such as Abdul Muis' Salah Asuhan and the traditional folktale Malin Kundang.[2]
Entertainment career
Karno's habit of reading later helped him to land his first acting job.[2] At the age of ten,he attended an audition for a film production of Malin Kundang and,displeased with the changes to the story,blurted out "That's not how the story goes."[2]The director,impressed with Karno's knowledge of the story,cast him.[2] At first,his father did not support his choice as the elder Noer was worried that Karno would continue to be poor.[2]
After Malin Kundang,in 1972 Karno starred in the film adaptation of Si Doel Anak Betawi (Doel,the Betawi Child).[2] After the film's success,Karno starred in several other films,including Rio Anakku (Rio,My Child;1974) and Di Mana Kau Ibu? (Where Are You Mother?;1974).[2] In 1979,he starred as Galih in Arizal's film Gita Cinta dari SMA (Love Song from High School);for a period after the film,he was rumoured to be dating his costar,Yessi Gusman.[2]
In 1990,Karno switched to directing;his serial adaptation of Si Doel Anak Betawi (titled Si Doel Anak Sekolahan),although initially refused by studios for being too "provincial",was highly successful and ran for six seasons.[2]
His first book,The Last Barongsai,was published in 2010;[2] that same year,he released another film,Satu Jam Saja (Just One Hour).[3]
As of September 2011[update],Karno was planning to make a film adaptation of The Last Barongsai.[4]
In 2008,Karno ran for deputy regent (wakil bupati) of Tangerang as the partner of incumbent regent (bupati) Ismet Iskandar.[5] The pair won the election and were expected to serve until 2013.[5] While serving as deputy regent Karno continued to be active in the world of entertainment.[2]
In early 2011,Karno began campaigning for governor of Jakarta against incumbent Fauzi Bowo on the Indonesian Democratic Party –Struggle ticket.[6] Despite showing an early lead,[6] in early July Karno cancelled his candidacy for governor of Jakarta to run as Deputy Governor of Banten as the running mate of incumbent Bantan governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah.[7] On 30 October the Banten General Elections Commission announced that Chosiyah-Karno had won the election,with 50% percent of the votes;in mid-December 2011 he resigned as Deputy Regent of Tangerang.[5] He was to be sworn in on 11 January 2012 and was expected to serve until 2017.[5]
After Ratu Atut was arrested for a graft case,Karno took over her position and became governor in 2015.[8] He tried to run for a second term in the 2017 gubernatorial election,but was defeated by Wahidin Halim.[9]
At the 1974 Indonesian Film Festival, Karno won a Citra Award for Best Child Actor for his work in the film Rio Anakku; that same year, he won Best Child Actor at the Asia Pacific Film Festival for Di Mana Kau Ibu?.[2] Six years later, he won another Citra Award for his role in Taksi.[2] In 1995, he won Best Actor and Best Director for the serial Si Doel Anak Sekolahan.[2]
Personal life
Karno is married to Dewi Indriati, with whom he has a daughter and a son.[2]As of July 2011[update], he was valued at Rp 13billion (US$1.5million).[11]
Selected filmography
As of 2008[update], Karno has acted in more than 70 films.[12]
"Si Doel, Wagub Banten"[Doel, Deputy Governor of Banten]. TokohIndonesia.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
Holmstrom, John. The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, p.332.
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