Jamaican reggae icon, actor and cultural ambassador Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his family has announced.
Cliff, born James Chambers on July 30, 1944, in St. James Parish, Jamaica, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, in Kingston after suffering a seizure followed by pneumonia. His wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page, describing it as a moment of “profound sadness” for the family and fans worldwide.
Cliff was one of the towering figures of reggae and Jamaican music, helping to carry the sound from the streets of Kingston to global stages. Beginning his career as a teenager, he broke through with early hits like Hurricane Hattie and went on to record classics such as Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get It If You Really Want, Wonderful World, Beautiful People, and The Harder They Come.
His role as Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin in the landmark 1972 film The Harder They Come – and the accompanying soundtrack – is widely credited with introducing reggae to international audiences and solidifying Jamaica’s place on the global cultural map.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Cliff collected numerous honours. He won two Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, and held Jamaica’s prestigious Order of Merit, the country’s third-highest honour and the highest that can be granted for achievement in the arts and sciences.
Jimmy Cliff is survived by his wife, Latifa, and their children. The family has requested privacy as they mourn, even as fans across the globe celebrate a life that helped shape the sound and soul of modern music.
