Louie Rankin will be missed dearly, says Grange

M inister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia 'Babsy' Grange has described deceased actor and musician Louie Rankin as an "extremely talen ted individual" who will be missed dearly.

In her statement to THE STAR yesterday, Grange said Rankin, having made his transition from music to film, represented Jamaica well and became one of the most established actors of his time.

"Louie Rankin was an extremely talented individual who managed to work his way from dancehall music into the film industry. He became one of those great characterising figures in film and his death is a sad loss," she said. "Jamaica's film industry is poised for growth and it would have been good to have someone like him, who is a foundation member, be able to take part in that process and shape it into what we want it to become. His role in Shottas, despite the character that he played, demonstrated that Jamaican actors have the ability to represent very well on screen."

Express condolences

"We miss him dearly and we express condolences to his family," she continued.

When asked whether the ministry would be putting in place plans to honour the contributions of Rankin, the minister's office expressed that wasn't of primary concern at the moment.

Officials expressed that if such plans are made in the future, the media would be informed and the public would be made aware.

For now, the office says the most important thing is to help the family get through the grieving process in the best way possible.

Rankin died on Monday from injuries sustained in a car crash in Ontario, Canada. According to reports from Ontario Provincial Police, the 66-year-old entertainer was killed when the vehicle he was driving in collided with a transport truck near Shelburne, Ontario around 9:15 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rankin, who starred in the movies Belly (1998), Shottas (2002) and the Intent Two (2018), made a global impact through his on-screen characters.

The number of global media outlets that reported on his passing was testament to that.

Among the major news outlets to report on his death are The Toronto News, ABC News, NY Daily News, Metro UK, Daily Mail, Sun UK, People.com, Complex, TMZ, BET and Hip Hop Wired.

Tributes also poured out from entertainers all over the world, including DJ Khaled, producer Swizz Beats, rapper Nas, Popcaan, Ky-Mani Marley, Spragga Benz, Shaggy and a host of others.

Rankin was born Leonard Ford in St Thomas.