Jamaica reverberated last week with birthday tributes, programmes and performances in honour of Ranny Williams called ‘Mas Ran,’ (October 26, 1912 – August 11, 1980) who was born as Randolph Samuel Williams on October 26, 2012 in Colon, Panama. He was taken to Jamaica at the age of 6 and grew to be the foremost and most influential comedian in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Those tributes included radio broadcasts – of particular importance, an interview with former associate Alma Hylton (now Mock Yen) on RJR on October 25; and a performance at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on October 26. This was produced by the Jamaica Cultural Development Committee presenting “Jamaican Men in Theatre”. The performers included many who appeared on stage with Williams or were influenced by or associated with him in some way. These included leading actors and directors Munair Zacca and Volier Johnson,