- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- July 30, 1944
- Place of Birth
- Somerton district of St. James, Jamaica
- Died
- November 24, 2025
Jimmy Cliff
The Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM (30 July 1944 – 24 November 2025), known professionally as Jimmy Cliff, was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and actor. At the time of his death, he was the only living reggae musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts and sciences. He is best known among mainstream audiences for songs such as "Sitting in Limbo," "You Can Get It If You Really Want," and "Many Rivers to Cross" from the soundtrack to The Harder They Come, which helped popularize reggae across the world; and his covers of Cat Stevens' "Wild World" and Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" from the film Cool Runnings. Outside of the reggae world, he is probably best known for his film appearance in The Harder They Come. Jimmy Cliff was one of five performer…
Filmography
movieBiggie: I Got a Story to Tell
2021 · Self (archive footage)
movieStudio 17: The Lost Reggae Tapes
2019 · Self
movieReMastered: Who Shot the Sheriff
2018 · Himself
movieDear Jerry - Celebrating The Music of Jerry Garcia
2016 · Self
movieLennon or McCartney
2014 · Self
movieMuscle Shoals
2013 · Self
movieMarley
2012 · Self
movieToots and the Maytals Reggae Got Soul
2011 · Himself
movieTitãs - A Vida Até Parece Uma Festa
2009 · Self (archive footage)
movieO Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
2009 · Self (archive footage)
movieFormel Eins - Die Kultvideos Vol. 2
2008 · Self (archive footage)
movieJimmy Cliff - Moving On
2006 · Singer
tvSquidbillies
2005 · Theme Song Performance
tvEngine
2005 · Theme Song Performance
Rude Boy: The Jamaican Don
movieRude Boy: The Jamaican Don
2003 · Wise Man
movieOne Love: The Bob Marley All-Star Tribute
1999 · Self - Perfomer
movieAcústico MTV: Titãs
1997 · Self
tvNever Mind the Buzzcocks
1996 · Self
tvTOTP2
1994 · Self
tvSpace Ghost Coast to Coast
1994
movieMarked for Death
1990 · Himself
movieÔrí
1989 · Self
movieA Reggae Session
1988 · Self
tvLe monde est à vous
1987 · Self
tvSacrée soirée
1987 · Self
movieClub Paradise
1986 · Ernest Reed
tvMiami Vice
1984 · Songs
tvPartido Alto
1984 · Self
movieBongo Man
1982 · Self
tvChamps-Elysées
1982 · Self
tvGrandes Nomes
1980 · Self
movieRoots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene
1977 · Self
tvSaturday Night Live
1975 · Self - Musical Guest
tvRockpalast
1974
tvRock Concert
1973 · Self
movieThe Harder They Come
1972 · Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin, Music
Spotlight
tvSpotlight
1968 · self
4-3-2-1 Hot and Sweet
tv4-3-2-1 Hot and Sweet
1966 · Self
movieThis Is Ska
1964 · Himself