Actor Justin Awn is imploring the public to keep honouring Munair Zacca’s legacy following his passing on April 2.

Awn, who played the role of Zacca’s son in popular Jamaican series Royal Palm Estate, which aired on CVM Television, made the comment just days shy of a memorial ceremony he is co-organising that will be held for the film icon today, April 16, at the Little Theatre.

The programme, open to the public, will begin at 6:30 pm.

“Continue to support his craft. One must set the example, and he certainly did. He lives on through his work. You can always watch him on film for life. He will always be alive. The ‘Godfather’ of Jamaica; the don, the boss of all bosses, the icon. One of Jamaica’s greatest actors of all time… Munair Zacca. My prayers are with his family. On behalf of the entire entertainment industry, rest in peace,” Awn, whose screen character was Farouk Tavares, told the Jamaica Observer.

Zacca’s widow, Adelina Pedroza Zacca, a native of Hollywood, California, jokes that she was destined to marry an actor, which she did in 1987, one year after they first met in the Cayman Islands.

“We met at the Harquil Theatre. He got a standing ovation playing Eddie Seaga [in Tony Gambrill’s hit play 8 O’Clock Jamaica Time]. I knew he was great, but did not understand one word of patois,” she recalled.

They were married for 38 years until his death in Kingston at age 79.

The prolific Zacca, over his 50-year career, starred alongside giants like Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley, Ranny Williams, Volier Johnson, and Oliver Samuels.

Adelina said Zacca was amused by people who believed his personality was similar to his corrupt alter ego Sonny T.

“He was a shy family man, devoted to his girls, took them to school daily. He was nothing like Sonny T.”

The conniving Sonny T is one of her favourite Zacca roles. Others include his turn as Periera in the 1982 movie
Countryman.

The Zaccas appeared together in one production, a TV show based on the life of Marcus Garvey. He played Ashenheim, the pan-African leader’s lawyer, while her role was Ashenheim’s wife.

Awn further spoke about the close-knit relationship he and the late actor had on and off screen. According to him, they had a real father-and-son bond.

Awn added: “He was a great guy. [He was] very humble, quiet and focused. I learned a lot from him. I got the opportunity to work with one of the greats. We would reason a bit about life and the industry. It was like having another parent.

“As an actor, getting the opportunity to work with him is like getting a chance to work with Marlon Brando. In this case, it’s like movie The Godfather. We acted as gangsters on the soap. He’s the Don. We were the bad guys. He’s Vito and I’m Michael. He’s like the Marlon of the Caribbean and Marlon is like the Munair of the States.”

Awn, who has had a long-standing career in acting, has also done modelling in the United States for international brands such as Polo, Macy’s, Arden B, Coach, Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, and French Connection.

While he continues to grieve the loss, Awn is reflecting on the memories and lessons learned from Zacca and has vowed to continue making strides.

“I spent many years acting alongside him on this soap opera. It was like I had two families; one in real and one in film. On a regular basis in life people always come up to me and ask me how my father is doing. I know that they are talking about my film father. Unfortunately, I lost my real father — Paul Awn — a while back, and now I lost another one. He will be greatly missed by all,” he told the Observer.

Munair Zacca is also survived by his daughters, Anabela and Paloma, and sister Lorice.

— Additional reporting by Howard Campbell