Randolph Samuel Williams more affectionately known as Maas Ran
Friday October 26 marks the 100th birth date of dramatist and comedian Randolph Samuel Williams more affectionately known as Maas Ran.
Maas Ran was born in Colon, Panama on October 26, 1912.
His mother moved to Jamaica when he was six years of age and initially settled in Kingston before moving to St. Catherine.
He first started his acting career as a child reciting poetry at church, Lodge halls and at school.
He attended Calabar High and Kingston Technical High.
He achieved professional status in 1930, when he was invited by the Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey to become a member of the vaudeville group at Edelweiss Park and to organize entertainment for the thousands of people who attended meetings there.
Maas Ran and Lee Gordon became a formidable duo known as "Amos and Andy", and together went on to appear in the second LTM Pantomime "Babes in the Wood".
Along with Lee Gordon, he had a series of shows on ZQI, Jamaica's first radio station which began operating at the beginning of World War II. He shared the spotlight in the radio revue “Morgie and Putus” with Alma Hylton (Mock Yen). At the same time he had another radio show called "Hello, You Out There", and he developed the "Lou and Ranny Show" for the opening of JBC Radio in 1959.
He cemented his place in theatre arts history when he began playing Brer Anancy in the play Anancy and Busha Blue Beard Created by Louise Bennett and Noel Vaz.
He performed in over 29 Pantomimes and penned two ‘Jamaica Way’ and ‘Quashie Lady’.
His partnership with Louise Bennett was legendary.
Maas Ran was the host of the “Ranny Williams Show” on television which premiered in 1963.
His outstanding achievement in the field of entertainment and drama earned for his several awards: The Jamaica Certificate and Badge of Honour in the Queen’s, New Year honours list (1968).
The Institute of Jamaica Silver Musgrave Medal in 1968, Commander of the Order of Distinction (C.D.) for outstanding Services in the field of Entertainment in 1976 and the Centenary Medal in 1979.
Maas Ran died on August 11, 1980.
The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre stands as a monument to his work.
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