Veteran Nollywood Actor, Lari Williams Dies At 81

Veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Lari Williams, has died at the age of 81 following a long illness.

Williams, who was popular for his roles in hit soap operas such as Village Headmaster, Ripples, and Mirror in The Sun, died on Sunday at his home in Ikom, Cross River State, Southsouth region of Nigeria. He had been ill for a long time.

His exit at 81 was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen by his family.

During his lifetime, Williams earned a prestigious national honour; Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2008.

The deceased was the inaugural president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and had a career that spanned over five decades.

Immediately after independence, as a bright and enterprising youngster, Williams travelled overseas to develop himself in England.

Williams was educated at CMS Grammar School, Lagos. He is the first actor to ever perform on top of Zuma Rock in Abuja FCT, 1,200 feet high, where he performed his late friend, Maman Vatsa’s poem, ‘The bird that sings in the rain.’

He has lectured Theatre Arts in three Nigerian universities – University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and University of Calabar.