Famous Jamaicans

List of Jamaican People

1887-08-17 Marcus Garvey, Jamaican-born black nationalist who began the back-to-Africa movement among US African Americans, born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica (d. 1940)
1890-09-15 Claude McKaye, Jamaican-American author (Songs of Jamaica, Banjo), born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica (d. 1948)
1900-02-28 Edna Manley, Jamaican sculptor 'motherof Jamaican art', born in Bournemouth, England (d. 1987)
1901-08-04 Clarence Passailaigue, Jamaican cricketer (487 for 6th wkt for Jamaica), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1972)
1911-01-06 Ivan Barrow, Jamaican cricket wicketkeeper (11 Tests; first West Indian Test century-maker in England), born in Morant Bay, Jamaica (d. 1979)
1912-06-19 (Albert) "Bertie" King, Jamaican jazz and mento clarinetist, saxophone player, arranger, and bandleader (Casa Blanca Orchestra; Jamaican Broadcasting Orchestra), born in Panama (d. 1981)
1914-04-08 John Cameron, Jamaican cricketer (brother of Jimmy WI v-capt 1939 England tour), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2000)
1914-07-24 Frank Silvera, Jamaican-American actor (High Chaparral, Killer's Kiss, Fear and Desire), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1970)
1914-11-29 Coleridge Goode, Jamaican-British jazz double bassist (Joe Harriot Quintet), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2015)
1920-03-25 Arthur Wint, Jamaican runner (d. 1992)
1921-03-08 Egbert George "Pete" Pitterson, Jamaican-British jazz trumpeter, born in Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies (d. 1994)
1922-07-10 Herb McKenley, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold 4 x 400m relay 1952; 3 x silver 1948, 52), born in Pleasant Valley, Clarendon, Jamaica (d. 2007)
1922-09-30 Allan Rae, Jamaican cricketer (prolific WI opening batsman 1948-53), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2005)
1923-03-27 Louis Simpson, Jamaican-American poet (Good News of Death), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2012)
1923-06-22 Jimmy Cameron, Jamaican cricketer (WI batsman 1948-49), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1994)
1925-02-19 Leslie Laing, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold men's 4x400m relay 1952 WR 3:03.9), born in Linstead, Saint Catherine, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1925-12-26 Baron Baker, Jamaican-born British activist, born in Port Antonia, Jamaica (d. 1996)
1926-12-13 George Rhoden, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold 400m, 4 x 400m relay 1952), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1927-01-11 Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair, Jamaican-German jazz saxophonist ("Blue Bogey"; "Kingston Bypass"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1995)
1927-03-01 Harry Belafonte, Jamaican-American Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning calypso singer ("Banana Boat Song"), actor (Buck & the Preacher), and human rights activist, born in Harlem, New York (d. 2023)
1927-04-22 (Lorenzo) "Laurel" Aitken, Cuban-Jamaican singer and one of the pioneers of Caribbean pop and ska music, born in Havana, Cuba (d. 2005)
1928-01-30 Andrew Salkey, Panamanian-Jamaican novelist, born in Colón, Panama (d. 1995)
1928-07-15 Joseph Arthurlin "Joe" Harriott, Jamaican-British be-bop and free-form jazz alto saxophonist (Abstract), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1973)
1928-08-16 Eddie Kirkland, Jamaican-American blues guitarist, singer and harmonica player (Have Mercy On Me), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2011)
1929-08-06 Mike Elliott, British-Jamaican ska-pop-rock saxophonist (The Foundations - "Baby Now That I've Found You"), born in Jamaica, British West Indies
1929-12-24 Noel DaCosta, Nigerian-Jamaican composer, born in Lagos, Nigeria (d. 2002)
1930-04-29 Alf Valentine, Jamaican cricketer (great West Indian lefty spinner), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2004)
1930-05-28 Edward Seaga, Jamaican politician, 5th Prime Minister of Jamaica (1980-89) and record producer, born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 2019)
1931-11-05 Harold McNair, British-Jamaican calypso and jazz saxophonist and flautist, born in Kingston, Colony of Jamaica (d. 1971)
1932-01-26 Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, Jamaican record producer, born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2004)
1932-06-19 Ernest Ranglin, Jamaican guitarist (Studio One, Jimmy Cliff), born in Manchester, Jamaica
1934-06-18 Gladstone "Gladdy" Anderson, Jamaican ska and reggae session keyboard player, and bandleader ("The Liquidator"), born in Jones Town, Jamaica (d. 2015)
1934-10-17 Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez, Jamaican ska trombonist (The Specials), born in Kingston (d. 2015)
1936-03-20 Lee "Scratch" Perry [Rainford Hugh Perry], Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter and producer (The Upsetters), born in Kendal, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1938-04-28 Madge Sinclair (née Walters), Jamaican-American actress (Conrack; Roots - "Bell"; Trapper John, M.D. - "Ernestine"; The Lion King), born in Kingston, Colony of Jamaica (d. 1995)
1938-05-24 Prince Buster [Cecil Bustamente Campbell], Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer ("Al Capone"; "Madness", "Whine and Grine"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2016)
1939-02-20 (Roy George) Elroy Josephs, Jamaican-British jazz dance teacher, and actor, born in Jamaica (d. 1997)
1941-01-28 King Tubby [Osbourne Ruddock], Jamaican sound engineer and record producer, born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1989)
1942-07-16 Desmond Dekker [Dacres], Jamaican reggae pioneer (The Aces - "007 (Shanty Town)"; "Israelites"), born in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica (d. 2006)
1942-12-08 (Frederick) "Toots" Hibbert, Jamaican singer-songwriter (The Maytals - "Pressure Drop"), born in May Pen, Jamaica (d. 2020)
1943-01-26 Thom Bell, American session musician, arranger and Grammy Award-winning "Philadelphia soul" producer (Delfonics; Stylistics; The Spinners), born in Kingston, Jamaican (d. 2022)
1943-10-09 Tony Tribe [Anthony Mossop], Jamaican-British reggae singer ("Red, Red Wine"), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1943-11-07 Peter Straker, Jamaican-British stage and screen singer and actor, born in Jamaica
1943-11-12 Errol Brown, British-Jamaican singer-songwriter (Hot Chocolate - "You Sexy Thing"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2015)
1943-12-14 Dandy Livingstone (Robert Livingstone Thompson), Jamaican-British reggae musician and record producer, ("Suzanne Beware of the Devil"; "Rudy, A Message to You"), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1944-01-29 Patrick Lipton Robinson, Jamaican judge (International Court of Justice, 2015-), born in Jamaica
1944-07-30 Jimmy Cliff [Chambers], Jamaican reggae singer ("The Harder They Come"), born in St James, Colony of Jamaica
1944-10-19 Peter Tosh [Winston Hubert McIntosh], Jamaican reggae musician (The Wailers -"Get Up Stand Up"; Mystic Man, Legalize It), born in Westmoreland, Jamaica (d. 1987)
1944-10-28 Bob Andy [Keith Anderson], Jamaican reggae songwriter, and vocalist ("Feel the Feeling"; "Fire Burning"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2020)
1944-11-22 Max Romeo [Smith], Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter, born in St. D'Acre, St. Ann, Jamaica
1944-12-04 Lynford "Hux" Brown, Jamaican session and touring guitarist (Jimmy Cliff; Paul Simon; Toots and the Maytals), born in Port Antonio, Jamaica (d. 2020)
1945-02-06 Bob Marley, Jamaican reggae musician ("Exodus"; "One Love"; "No Woman No Cry"; "Three Little Birds"), born in Nine Mile, Saint Ann, Jamaica (d. 1981)
1945-03-01 Burning Spear [Winston Rodney], Jamaican reggae singer, born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica
1946-05-31 Steve Bucknor, Jamaican cricket umpire (record 128 Tests, 181 ODIs; FIFA referee), born in Montego Bay, Jamaica
1946-07-25 Rita Marley (née Alpharita Anderson), Jamaican singer (I Threes), and the widow of Bob Marley, born in Santiago de Cuba
1946-10-06 Millie Small, Jamaican ska singer, and songwriter ("My Boy Lollipop"), born in Clarendon, Jamaica (d. 2020)
1946-10-10 Willard White, Jamaican-British operatic bass baritone, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1946-10-21 Phil Chen, Chinese-Jamaican rock session and touring bassist (Jeff Beck, 1974-76; Rod Stewart, 1977-80; Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1946-11-22 Aston Barrett, Jamaican reggae bassist (Bob Marley & the Wailers - "I Shot the Sheriff"; Burning Spear), sound engineer, and producer, born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2024)
1947-04-10 Bunny Wailer [Neville O'Riley Livingston], Jamaican vocalist and percussionist (The Wailers with Bob Marley), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1947-12-05 Bruce Golding, Jamaican politician (8th Prime Minister of Jamaica 2007-11), born in Chapelton, Jamaica
1948-05-19 Grace Jones, Jamaican-American disco singer ("Slave to the Rhythm"), and actress (A View To A Kill), born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica
1948-10-05 Delroy Wilson, Jamaican ska and reggae singer ("Cool Operator"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1995)
1949-06-18 "Prince" Lincoln Thompson, Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter ("Humanity"; "Daughters Of Zion"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1999)
1949-06-22 Junior Marvin [Donald Hanson Marvin Kerr Richards Jr.] Jamaican reggae and session guitarist (The Wailers), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1949-09-30 Eleanor Alberga, Jamaican contemporary music composer, based in London (Arise, Athena!), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1950-06-24 Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Jamaican rocker (Black Uhuru), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1950-12-17 Carlton "Carly" Barrett, Jamaican reggae drummer (The Upsetters; Bob Marley & Wailers), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1987)
1951-02-07 Patrick Allen, Jamaican statesman (Governor-General of Jamaica 2009-), born in Fruitful Vale, Colony of Jamaica
1951-02-25 Don Quarrie, Jamaican runner
1951-07-24 Lynval Golding, Jamaican-born British new wave rock and ska guitarist (The Specials; Fun Boy Three), born in Saint Catherine, Colony of Jamaica
1951-10-14 Marcia Barrett, Jamaican-British rock vocalist (Boney M), born in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica
1952-05-10 Sly Dunbar, Jamaican reggae drummer (Sly & Robbie), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1952-07-12 Liz Mitchell, Jamaican-British rock vocalist (Boney M), born in Clarendon, Jamaica
1952-08-24 Linton Kwesi Johnson, Jamaican-British poet (Mi Revalueshanary Fren) and activist, born in Chapelton, Jamaica
1953-01-07 Earl Lindo, Jamaican reggae keyboardist (Bob Marley & the Wailers), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2017)
1953-06-21 Augustus Pablo, Jamaican musician (King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown), born in St. Andrew, Jamaica (d. 1999)
1953-09-27 Robbie Shakespeare, Jamaican reggae bassist (Sly & Robbie - "DJ Riot"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1954-06-04 Mikey Dread [Michael Campbell], Jamaican reggae singer, producer ("Rocker's Delight"), and broadcaster (BBC), born in Port Antonio, Jamaica (d. 2008)
1954-08-01 Trevor Berbick, Jamaican boxer (WBC heavyweight champion 1986), born in Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica (d. 2006)
1955-04-01 Tony Tuff (Winston Anthony Morris), Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter (The African Brothers), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1956-05-25 (Lincoln) "Sugar" Minott, Jamaican reggae singer (The African Brothers), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2010)
1957-02-01 Dennis Brown, Jamaican reggae singer ("Money In My Pocket"), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 1999)
1957-07-11 Michael Rose, Jamaican Grammy award-winning reggae singer (Black Uhuru, 1977-84 - Anthem), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1957-10-09 Ini Kamoze [Cecil Campbell], Jamaican reggae singer ("Here Comes the Hotstepper"), born in Saint Mary's, Jamaica
1958-01-14 Colin Ferguson, Jamaican murderer (6 people on the LIRR on Dec 7, 1993), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1958-06-17 Des Drummond, Jamaican rugby league winner (24 Tests Great Britain, 4 England; Leigh RLFC, Warrington RLFC), born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica (d. 2022)
1958-06-22 Ruby Turner, Jamaican-British rock singer ("No Where to Run"), born in Montego Bay, Jamaica
1960-05-10 Merlene Ottey, Jamaican/Italian running star (Olympics)
1960-12-20 Nalo Hopkinson, Jamaican-Canadian writer (Brown Girl in the Ring; The Salt Roads), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1961-01-02 Orrett Rhoden, Jamaican concert pianist, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1961-04-17 Norman Cowans, Jamaican cricketer (England fast bowler in 19 Tests 1982-85), born in St. Mary, Jamaica
1961-04-26 Al Lawrence, Jamaican 4X100m relayer (Olympic silver 1984), born in Jamaica
1961-06-10 Maxi Priest [Max Elliott], Jamaican-English singer (Wild World), born in London
1962-08-05 Patrick Ewing, Jamaican-American NBA center, 1985-2002, 11X All-Star (NY Knicks, and 2 other teams; Olympic gold 1992), and collegiate coach (Georgetown, 2017-present), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1962-08-18 Sandra Farmer-Patrick, Jamaican-born American 400m hurdler, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1962-11-03 Marilyn [Peter Robinson], Jamaican-British pop singer ("You Don't Love Me"), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1963-02-22 Devon Malcolm, Jamaican cricket fast bowler (40 tests England, 128 wickets, BB 9/57; Derbyshire CCC, Northamptonshire CCC, Leicestershire CCC), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1963-10-13 Colin Channer, Jamaican writer (often referred as "Bob Marley" with a pen), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1964-04-30 Barrington Levy, Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer ("Englishman"), born in Clarendon, Jamaica
1965-10-19 Frankie Paul [Paul Blake], Jamaican reggae musician, born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2017)
1965-12-05 Wayne Smith, Jamaican reggae musician (Under Mi Sleng Teng), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1966-01-17 Shabba Ranks [Rexton Gordon], Jamaican dancehall musician and reggae deejay (X-tra Naked), born in St. Ann, Jamaica
1966-04-02 Garnett Silk [Garnet Smith], Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter (Hey Mama Africa; Greenline), born in Manchester, Jamaica (d. 1994)
1966-10-19 Roger R. Cross, Jamaican-born actor
1967-03-21 Maxim Reality [Keith Palmer], Jamaican-British trip-hop MC and vocalist (The Prodigy), born in Peterborough, England
1967-05-24 Heavy D [Dwight Errington Myers], Jamaican-American rapper, born in Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica (d. 2011)
1967-08-03 Skin [Deborah Dyer] Jamaican-British singer (Skunk Anansie), born in Brixton, London
1968-01-02 Evan Parke, Jamaican actor
1968-01-09 Jimmy Adams, Jamaican cricketer (prolific West Indian lefty bat since 1992), born in Port Maria, Jamaica
1968-06-16 Nehemiah Perry, Jamaican cricketer (fine Jamaican off-spinner for the West Indies), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1968-10-17 (David) "Ziggy" Marley, Jamaican Grammy Award-winning reggae performer (The Melody Makers), philanthropist, and son of Bob Marley, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1968-10-22 Shaggy [Orville Richard Burrell], Jamaican-American Grammy Award-winning reggae rapper and songwriter ("It Wasn't Me", "Boombastic",), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1969-01-02 Glen Johnson, Jamaican boxer (IBF, IBO and Ring magazine light heavyweight titles 2004-05), born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica
1969-11-09 Pepa [Sandra Denton], Jamaican-American hip hop artist (Salt-n-Pepa) and actress, born in Kingston, Jamaica (birth date disputed)
1970-11-08 Diana King, Jamaican singer and songwriter ("Shy Guy", "I Say a Little Prayer" remake), born in St. Catherine, Jamaica
1970-11-24 Marlon James, Jamaican writer (A Brief History of Seven Killings), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1971-12-03 Frank Sinclair, Jamaican soccer defender (28 caps; Chelsea, Leicester City), born in Lambeth, England
1972-04-20 Stephen Marley, Jamaican-American reggae musician, son of Bob Marley, born in Wilmington, Delaware
1972-06-12 Bounty Killer [Rodney Basil Price], Jamaican deejay, born in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica
1972-07-22 Andrew Holness, Jamaican politician (Prime Minister of Jamaica 2016-), born in Spanish Town, Jamaica
1973-01-09 Sean Paul, Jamaican dancehall singer, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1973-07-04 Michael Johnson, English-born Jamaican footballer, born in St. Louis, Missouri
1974-06-17 Ricardo "Rikrok" Ducet, Jamaican-British singer (with Shaggy - "It Wasn't Me"), born in Manchester, Jamaica
1975-04-02 Shawn Rhoden, Jamaican bodybuilder (Mr. Olympia 2018), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1976-09-11 Elephant Man [Oneal Bryan], Jamaican musician ("Let's Get Physical"), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1977-04-17 Sizzla Kalonji [Miguel Orlando Collins], Jamaican reggae musician, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1978-07-21 Damian Marley, Jamaican musician, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1978-09-25 Ricardo Gardner, Jamaican soccer winger (111 caps; Bolton Wanderers 342 games), born in St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica
1979-09-21 Chris Gayle, Jamaican West Indies cricketer (1999-) and fastest century maker in history, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1979-10-31 Ricardo Fuller, Jamaican footballer, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1980-10-11 Nyron Nosworthy, English-Jamaican footballer, born in Brixton, England
1981-01-18 Khari Stephenson, Jamaican footballer, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1981-07-11 Carla Campbell, Jamaican model
1982-05-15 Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold 200m 2004, 08; 4×100m relay 2004; silver 4×100m relay 2000, 12, 16; bronze 100m 2004, 12), born in Clarks Town, Jamaica
1982-11-23 Asafa Powell, Jamaican sprinter, born in Spanish Town, Jamaica
1983-03-01 Melaine Walker O.D, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold 400m hurdles 2008; World C'ship gold 2009), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1983-12-09 Jermaine Beckford, Jamaican soccer striker (6 caps; Leeds United, Everton, Leicester City), born in London, England
1985-09-08 Yendi Phillips, Jamaican beauty pageant contestant (Miss Jamaica Universe 2010), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1985-11-11 Luton Shelton, Jamaican soccer striker (75 caps; Vålerenga, Karabükspor, Sheffield United), born in Kingston, Jamaica (d. 2021)
1985-12-27 Tivon Pennicott, Jamaican-American jazz saxophonist (Celery Juice), born in Marietta, Georgia
1986-06-04 Skip Marley (Minto), Jamaican reggae singer, born in Kingston, Jamaica
1986-08-21 Usain Bolt, Jamaican sprinter (Olympic gold 100m/200m 2008, 12, 16), born in Sherwood Content, Jamaica
1986-12-27 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold 100m 2008, 12; 9 x World C'ship gold), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1987-08-19 Patrick Chung, Jamaican-American NFL player (New England Patriots), born in Kingston, Jamaica
1992-06-28 Elaine Thompson-Herah, Jamaican sprinter (Olympic gold 100/200m 2016, 2020; 200m 2016), born in Manchester, Jamaica
1994-12-08 Raheem Sterling, British-Jamaican football player (Manchester City, English national team), born in Kingston, Jamaica

Jamaican History Timeline