Jamaican Theatre Icon and Actress Leonie Forbes Has Passed at 85
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness is leading Jamaicans in paying tribute to theatre icon and pioneering broadcaster, Leonie Forbes, who died on Tuesday. She was 85.
“She was always elegant and gracious, and her voice commanded both respect and admiration. Jamaica has lost an iconic and pioneering figure in media, film and television,” Holness said.
“Her crisp, clear voice, warm personality and contribution to Jamaica’s development in media and the arts will never be forgotten,” Holness said, adding that Forbes “flew the Jamaican flag high as a cultural icon”.
Opposition Leader, Mark Golding said Forbes was “a great personality of Jamaican drama and culture who has been a household name for most of our lifetimes.
“We honor her contribution to our country,” he added.
Forbes’s close friend, the actress and broadcaster, Fae Ellington, described her as the “the doyenne of Jamaican theatre” and “the consummate artiste.
“I remember her as an exquisite performer — her timing, her approach to preparation; when we were supposed to get to the theatre for call time — it’s an hour before the start of the show — Leonie is going to be there two, two-and-a-half hours before,” Ellington told the Jamaica Observer newspaper.
Forbes, in addition to presenting radio and television programs, headed the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) Radio 2, as well as the company’s Department of Theatre which produced plays for radio and television.
A biography posted on the National Library of Jamaica website states that Leonie Evadne Forbes was born on June 14, 1937 and grew up in Kingston as an only child. She attended St George’s Preparatory School, Merrywood Elementary, Mico Practicing School, Kingston Senior School, Excelsior College, and Durham College.
Her first job after leaving school was with Sir Philip Sherlock as a typist at the then recently incorporated University College of the West Indies. After a while she went to work with playwright Barry Reckord typing his plays and at times accompanying him to the studios of the Government Information Service (now Jamaica Information Service) to watch the recording sessions.
It was there that she got her first exposure to radio as she started to do parts in the programs produced for government broadcast.
The main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) said the late actress will be remembered for “her charming personality, talent, and wit”.
“Her numerous theatrical achievements have earned her a well-deserved place in the Jamaican Hall Of Fame,” the party said.
Broadcast journalist Vashan Brown, praised Forbes for her mentorship, while singer Nadine Sutherland said Forbes gave her “many moments of joy”.
Jamaican Barbara Blake Hannah, the UK’s first black on-screen TV news reporter said Forbes “graced life’s stage with her talent and Jamaica was blessed to enjoy it.”
Forbes also authored a book called The Re-Entry into Sound, along with Alma Mock Yen, which is a standard text used to train broadcasters across the Caribbean.
Forbes was the mother of four children. Among her awards is the Order of Distinction (Officer), which she received from the Government of Jamaica in 1980.
