Actor Winston “Bello” Bell, one half of the internationally known Bello and Blakka comedy duo, has died.

Bell passed on April 15 in Kingston. He was 63 years old.

Coincidentally April 15 is the birthday of his comedic friend and colleague Owen “Blakka” Ellis, who described his late friend as “the greatest Jamaican actor of his generation”.

Ellis told the Jamaica Observer that he had heard that his friend of 48 years had taken a turn for the worse, but was not informed of his death until Sunday.

“His assistant, Elaine, called me and told me. She said they didn’t tell me right away because they didn’t want to spoil my birthday,” Ellis said.

The reportedly last spoke to each other two weeks ago about Bell accepting a part in a short movie, but he was too ill to accept that role.

Ellis said Bell suffered from diabetes for many years and, in recent times, his movement had been affected by neuropathy.

The duo was scheduled to perform on April 1 with fellow comedian Tony Hendricks in We Three Kins, a standup comedy event at Johnny’s Place in Kingston. That was postponed when Ellis returned to Canada for professional reasons.

Bell hailed from Jones Town and Ellis from neighbouring Trench Town in Kingston. They first met as participants in the 1976 Secondary Schools Drama Competition — Bell representing Camperdown High School, while Ellis was a student at Excelsior High School.

They officially became Bello And Blakka in 1985 after appearing in What Is Culture?, during the Caribbean Popular Theatre Exchange at Jamaica School of Drama from which both were graduates.

They have also co-starred in the pantomime Bruckins; Whiplash, a play by Ginger Knight; and Sufferer’s Song, a play directed and produced by Earl Warner.

Other theatrical productions Bell starred were Louis Marriott’s Bedward as the lead character of self-styled prophet Alexander Bedward; Trevor Rhone’s Old Story Time as Pa Ben, and as Floyd in the 1999 movie Third World Cop.

It was his limitless range that made him such a in-demand actor, Ellis believes.

“Any role he got he consumed it. Pound for pound he was the best Jamaican actor of his generation,” he said.

One of Bello and Blakka’s last projects was their 30th anniversary show in 2015 at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.

In later years, he concentrated on his Time Out for Jesus Worldwide Ministry and charity work with the Joy Bell Foundation, as well as hosted the morning show Pastor Bello Live on Roots FM.

Winston “Bello” Bell, whose wife Joy predeceased him, is survived by two sons, grandchildren, several brothers and sisters.