Veteran Nollywood actor, Lari Williams has died. He died on Sunday at his home in Ikom, Cross River State, at the age of 81 after a protracted illness.
He was popular for his roles in hit soap operas such as Village Headmaster, Ripples, and Mirror in The Sun. His demise was disclosed in a statement by his family. During his lifetime, Williams earned the prestigious national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2008.
The famous thespian was the inaugural president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and had a career that spanned over five decades. Williams was educated at CMS Grammar School, Lagos. And immediately after independence, as a bright and enterprising youngster, Williams travelled overseas to develop himself in England.
He is the first actor to ever perform on top of Zuma Rock in Abuja, FCT, at a height of 1,200 feet above sea level, where he performed alongside his late friend, General Mamman Vatsa, in the late General’s poem: The bird that sings in the rain. After studying Journalism at the London School of Journalism, he proceeded to study English at Morley College, and then drama at the Mountview Theatre School and Stratford E15 Acting School, England, to become a professional actor.
He has lectured Theatre Arts in three Nigerian universities – University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and University of Calabar.
“He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Burial arrangements will be announced soon,” the statement read.