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4 World Famous Persons
Who Lived In Jamaica

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by Wellesley Gayle | Associate Writer

We've celebrated our own sons and daughters who have impacted the world in a significant way. You can read more about them here.

But did you know that, outside of the many world leaders, movie stars, and world business moguls who came here to vacation,  there are some who wanted even more.... they lived in Jamaica!

Here are 4 richly famous persons who made Jamaica home .

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1. Chris Blackwell

President & CEO of Island Records and Palm Pictures, New York City

chris_blackwell_photoChris Blackwell (Jamaica Observer)

One of the first to record the Jamaican popular music. He did it on his record label, Island Records. Blackwell is also credited with bringing Bob Marley & the Wailers to the attention of international audiences. 

According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to which Blackwell was inducted in 2001, he is the single person most responsible for making reggae music known to the world.

Other artists such as Toots and the Maytals, Burning Spear, Third World and Black Uhuru benefited from his exposure via Island Records. He is also the first major label executive to expose African musicians, including King Sunny Ade.

2. Noel Coward (1899-1973)

British-born playwright, songwriter and actor

noel_coward_photoNoel Coward (Facebook)

After numerous years of entertaining dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth both on stage and at his Jamaican home, Coward was knighted in 1970. He died at his beloved Firefly in 1973 and is buried there, his grave overlooking Blue Harbour. 

3. Ian Fleming (1908-1964)

British Naval Intelligence Agent, Author of James Bond

Working for the British Naval Intelligence, Ian Flemming first came to Jamaica during World War II, while on a mission to investigate U-boat activities in the Caribbean.

In 1946, he purchased 15 acres of land, which was once a donkey racecourse. He built his home there and named it GoldenEye after a secret WWII mission. It is now the GoldenEye resort.

All 13 James Bond novels were written in Jamaica.

Errol Flynn (1909-1959)

Hollywood Actor

errol_flynn_the_guardianErrol Flynn (Source: The Guardian)

Famous for his roles as Captain Blood and Robin Hood, Flynn dubbed Port Antonio, Portland heaven on earth, and made investments in a cattle farm and the Titchfield Hotel, which he hoped would help to stimulate tourism in Port Antonio.

Ironically, the hard-drinking, girl-chasing, Hollywood star arrived in Portland (in 1946) when his yacht was washed ashore in Kingston in bad weather. It is said that he made Port Antonio his playground and home.

In his autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, he described Port Antonio as ‘more beautiful than any woman I’ve ever seen.’

By The Way....

I'm starting to compile a list of some of the most distinguished people who have vacationed here. 

Mentioned by Sarfraz Manzoor in The Guardian

  • Marilyn Monroe
  • Arthur Miller 
  • Grace Kelly
  • Claudette Colbert
  • Winston Churchill
  • Paul McCartney
  • Julia Roberts
  • Tom Cruise 
  • Tony Curtis 
  • Katharine Hepburn
  • Abbott and Costello
  • Peter O'Toole.

Mentioned by David G. Allan for the New York Times

  • Pierce Brosnan
  • Harrison Ford
  • The Clintons
  • British Prime Minister Anthony Eden 

Do YOU know of any other? Please let me know in the comments below.

And if you would like to see why these persons fell in love with Jamaica visit our attractions, beaches, historical sites and stay at an all-inclusive resort, you'll see why! 

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Return to Famous Jamaicans from World Famous Persons
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from World Famous Persons

References & Sources For Famous Persons

  1. Andrea Campbell, Jamaican Proverbs, People and Places, Wit Wisdom and Achievements, TamaRe House Publications 2010
  2. OUR FOUNDER – CHRIS BLACKWELL, https://www.islandoutpost.com/about-jamaica-luxury-hotels/our-founder/
  3. Noel Coward, ENGLISH PLAYWRIGHT, ACTOR, AND COMPOSER, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Noel-Coward
  4. In search of Errol Flynn's Jamaica, https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2010/sep/26/errol-flynn-jamaica
  5. GoldenEye, Jamaica: The Birthplace of Bond, https://www.visitjamaica.com/blog/post/goldeneye-jamaica-the-birthplace-of-bond/
  6. Ian Fleming’s Jamaica, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/travel/09Jamaica.html

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