Oliver Samuels

Oliver Samuels (born 4 November 1948) is a Jamaican comedian and actor. He has been described as the Jamaican "King of Comedy", performing both stand-up and comic theatre.[2][3][4]

Oliver Samuels
Samuels in 2018.
Birth nameOliver Adolphus Samuels[1]
Born (1948-11-04) 4 November 1948[1]
Saint Mary, Jamaica[1]
NationalityJamaican
ChildrenHe has six children.
Relative(s)Brother, Christopher Humber
Notable works and rolesOliver at Large

Career

Samuels found fame on the popular Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation's television series Oliver at Large, created by producer Calvin Butler and playwright Aston Cooke. Nine of the thirteen episodes of the original series, including the pilot episode, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, were written by prolific Jamaican playwright, Patrick Brown. In this series, Samuels played his alter ego Olivius Adams, aka Oliver. The series featured sketches from Oliver's exploits, often with his sidekick, Maffi—a character created by Patrick Brown. Oliver has subsequently appeared in several Patrick Brown plays, including Large Abroad, Oliver's Posse (1999), Oliver and Pinocchio (2001), and Oliver and the Genie (2002).

Samuels, known by most through Oliver at Large, has combined a career in marketing with life on stage, touring every year between spring and summer before returning home for his executive offices at Mack D's—the Kingston-based company where he is a director and head of marketing and public relations.

Abroad, he is known as Jamaica's Bill Cosby, and is a brand name that is synonymous with Jamaica and laughter. Samuels is widely regarded as one of the funniest talents to emerge from the Caribbean.

In addition to his work with a local car company, Samuels was recently selected by the wire transfer service Unitransfer to star in a series of advertisements that will market their products to Florida's Caribbean community.

Samuels also piloted the launch of "Oliver's Yaad Cyaad", which features Samuels giving instructions in Patois and standard English. The unique feature of Patois prompts is a first for the international calling-card industry.

As well as having a large following in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, Samuels frequently tours Britain and North America, playing to the Caribbean ex-pat community.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2006Class of '73Mr. B. Pringle
1976Smile OrangeSnail race
1982CountrymanPillion
1987Hammerhead
1989The Mighty QuinnRupert
1993Oliver at LargeThomas
1993–1996Chef!Dad / Justin2 episodes
1994Great Moments in AviationThomas
2005Almost HeavenHotel Manager
2011Out the GateUncle Willie

Plays

Common Law as Winston 6 November (2009) Midnight at Puss Creek (2011)

References
  1. "Oliver Samuel – Actor Boy Awards 2007, March 2008". 22 November 2018.
  2. "Oliver Samuels takes Centre Stage, Again".
  3. "Oliver Samuels (1948 – )". The National Library of Jamaica. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  4. Staff Writer (4 November 2019). "Oliver Samuels - The Jamaican King of Comedy". Jamaicans.com. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
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