OFTEN described as Jamaica’s ‘King of Comedy’, Oliver Samuels has been entertaining young and old for years. Born Oliver Adolphus Samuels, or ‘Aliva’ as he is affectionately called, he has been a pioneer in the performing arts industry.

Samuels went to the Salvation Army School, Rose Bank Primary and then attended high school in Highgate, after which he went to the Dinthill Technical High School.

After coming to Kingston, he enrolled in the Jamaica Theatre School from 1971 to 1973.

Before Samuels garnered the wide popularity through his performances in stand-up and comic theatre, he was a stalwart of Jamaican television. He paved the way and encouraged the ambitions of young actors with the television series Oliver at Large. With works such as Oliver, Oliver at Large and Oliver Large and In Charge, Samuels opened the door to a new era in Jamaican entertainment.

Appearing in productions such as Ras Noah and the Hawk, Cinderellisha and DJ Prince, River Bottom, Assistant Thief, Puppy Love and many others, Samuels is a fixture on the theatre scene. And it seems Jamaica can’t get enough of his superb comedic characters.

However, Samuels not only excels on the stage, he also proves that one can accomplish more than one thing in life that one is passionate about. He also pursued a career in marketing.

In addition, Samuels also piloted the launch of Oliver’s Yaad Cyaad, the first international calling card of its kind. The calling card features him giving instructions to users in both patois and standard English. This was indeed another big step in the right direction to the acceptance and embrace of the Jamaican culture.

Now, 40 years into his career as a fixture in Jamaican laughter, Samuels is still ‘large and in charge’ at home and abroad.