PERRY Henzell, co-author, director and producer of one of Jamaica’s first feature films The Harder They Come is dead.

Henzell passed away at about 4:00 yesterday morning at his son’s house in St Elizabeth, after fighting off an illness for seven years.

“He passed on peacefully and we give thanks for that. We are happy for his life,” said Henzell’s son, Jason, who operates Jakes Guest House at Calabash Bay in the parish.

Henzell had been battling with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells.

Henzell’s latest project – No Place Like Home – a film about Jamaica, was set to be premiered at the Flashpoint film festival in Negril today.

Yesterday, tributes were paid by politicians and persons who worked with the pioneer filmmaker.

Actor Carl Bradshaw, who had roles in The Harder They Come and No Place Like Home, described Henzell’s contribution to the growth of Jamaica’s cultural product as phenomenal.

“I remember him as a pioneer. He was the man who influenced Jamaica’s film industry. The Harder They Come was more than a great visual as it is responsible for taking reggae music where it is today,” Bradshaw said.

In a statement from Jamaica House, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller expressed her deep regret at Henzell’s passing.

“Jamaica has lost a talented son and his death has created a void throughout the creative industries in Jamaica. He will be truly missed,” the prime minister said.

At the same time, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding implored Jamaicans to take a leaf out of Henzell’s book.

“His life of service and dedication to country is one that we must seek to embrace and emulate. He has left for all of us a rich legacy,” Golding said.

Perry Henzell was born in 1936 in Port Maria, St Mary. He was raised on the Caymanas Estate and attended Jamaica College until he was sent to school in England at age 14.

He entered McGill University in Montreal at the age of 17 and began working in the drama department of the BBC television studios in London when he was 20.

Henzell returned to Jamaica six years later and founded Vista Productions. During the 1960s he made more than 200 commercials and established a studio in Kingston. During the 1980s, he directed a musical on the life of Marcus Garvey.

He also penned the novels, Power Game, which was published in 1982, and Cane, a historical drama, which was published in 2003.

Perry Henzell is survived by his widow Sally, children Justine, Jason and Toni-Ann.