Born on 26 October 1912 in Colón, Panama, Randolph Samuel “Ranny” Williams, fondly called “Maas Ran,” moved to Jamaica at the age of six, setting down roots that would one day grow into a prolific career in entertainment. His early life was steeped in a “theatrical climate,” as he fondly recalled, with his mother Frances—a singer and actress—often organising concerts and recitals. This nurturing environment led to Ranny’s first public performances as a child, where he recited poetry in local churches and schoolrooms.
“I grew up in what could be called a theatrical climate. I can see myself at four years old… standing on the little church hall stage in Colón saying my piece, or in flowing costumes playing my part in a Biblical play.”
By his teenage years, Williams was already exploring acting and comedy, staging small performances for community events. Williams’ career took a professional turn in 1930 when Marcus Garvey invited him to join the vaudeville group at Edelweiss Park in Kingston. Performing sketches like Blacks Gone Wild and Old Black Joe, Ranny’s humour won over audiences, and he soon became a fixture in Jamaica’s theatre scene.
His entry into pantomime in Babes in the Wood (1942) alongside Lee Gordon established his role in the genre, a role he would reprise in numerous pantomimes. His performance as Brer Anancy in Anancy and Busha Bluebeard (1949) with Louise Bennett marked a new high in his career. Of his enduring connection to Jamaican folklore, he remarked, “I loved Brer Anancy for his wit and cunning, a character who never quits and always outsmarts.”
Ranny was a beloved figure on radio and television as well. He starred in The Morgie and Putus Show on ZQI, Jamaica’s first radio station, playing multiple characters in what he called his “first real taste of the big stage.” Later, he and Louise “Miss lou” Bennett-Coverley co-hosted the Lou and Ranny Show, delivering Jamaican stories and jokes to captivated audiences. In 1963, he debuted The Ranny Williams Show on JBC, becoming a household name.
On stage, Ranny’s projection and timing were impeccable, even noted as unparalleled among his peers. He once joked, “I had a small voice, but I learned to make it reach the back row.” His talents spanned comedic and dramatic roles, as he starred in plays by Shakespeare, Thornton Wilder, and Eugene O’Neill with finesse.
Beyond the spotlight, Maas Ran contributed significantly to his community as a social worker, establishing the Ranny Williams Youth Club and supporting literacy through the JAMAL programme. These roles cemented his legacy not only as an entertainer but also as a humanitarian. Reflecting on his career, he humbly remarked, “More than the applause, it’s the love of the people that keeps me going.”
Honoured with awards such as the Silver Musgrave Medal and the Order of Distinction, Ranny Williams passed away on 11 August 1980, leaving behind an irreplaceable legacy. Today, his memory is celebrated annually, and the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston stands as a testament to his lasting impact on Jamaican culture.
