7/16/2011

Jamaican Film Actors of Note

By Robert Nickel


Jamaica is a relatively small nation lying in the Caribbean Sea, and contrary to popular belief, is made up of 24 islands rather than just one. Jamaica is a part of the British Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The history of Jamaica contains elements of aboriginal cultures, Spanish colonization, African slavery and British rule. Therefore the culture is quite diverse in music, art, cuisine, language and religion. In this article we will take a brief look at a few of the outstanding film actors to rise out of the Jamaican Islands.

Paul Campbell is widely considered Jamaica's most popular actor. His most famous roles were in the films Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop, Shottas and The Lunatic. Aside from film work, Paul has experimented with live theater, even making his mark on New York's Broadway. His most recent work is biopic, entitled Paul Campbell: The Life and Times of a Jamaican Movie Star. The film gives viewers a deeper perspective on life in Jamaica, as well as the up and down life of the actor.

Evan Parke was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1968. After finishing grade school in Jamaica, Evan left for Cornell University where he majored in economics. After floating around the world of bit part acting, Evan landed a few major roles in film and television. His first film role was that of Jack in The Cider House Rules, and shortly after that The Replacements, Planet of the Apes, Nightstalker, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Fellowship and finally in 2005 King Kong.

Madge Sinclair was born in 1938 in Kingston, Jamaica and trained as a teacher. In 1968 she left teaching to pursue acting and gained her first major role in 1978 in the film Convoy. Madge received an Emmy nomination for her role in the television miniseries Roots, as well as her three year stint on Trapper John M.D. Madge's next film role was in 1988 as Queen Aoleon in Coming to America, and later did the voice of Sarabi, Simba's mother in The Lion King. Star Trek fans will also recognize Madge Sinclair as being the first female starship captain to appear in Star Trek (Star Trek IV), and later as Geordi La Forge's mother. Sadly, Madge passed away in 1995.

These are just three actors who have risen out of Jamaica and gone on to share their talents on the stage. There are so many more we see on television and in film whom we would never have guessed are Jamaican-born. Peter Williams for example, is Jamaican and has had many significant roles on highly rated shows such as Stargate SG-1, Dead Like Me, The Twilight Zone, The X-Files, Due South, Wiseguy and Fallen.




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