Jamaica today (October 25) lost yet another icon with the death of actress and broadcaster Leonie Forbes.

She was 85.

Among the first to pay tribute on social media was RJRGLEANER broadcaster Dionne Jackson Miller who, sharing a picture of herself with Forbes on Twitter, said: “What a warm, wonderful, super talented woman!”

Also paying tribute was Camille Williams, producer of Jackson Miller’s radio programme, Beyond the Headlines, who said: “I met Leonie Forbes once. It was in 2017/2018 when we had her in studio for Beyond the Headlines Jamaica 55 interview series. She was such a warm and welcoming person. So sad to hear the news.”

Active in theatre, radio, and television, throughout her career, Forbes grew up in Kingston where she attended Kingston Senior School before going on to Excelsior College and the Durham College of Commerce.

After leaving school, she worked as a typist at the University of the West Indies, and later moved to type scripts for playwright Barry Reckord.

In 1959, she joined the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) as a radio announcer and later received a scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in the United Kingdom.

She spent six years at the Royal Academy, where she studied radio, television, and stage techniques, while also working as a writer for BBC Caribbean and appearing in a number of television dramas.

In 1962, she would play in professional theatre for the first time in Lloyd Reckord’s ‘Busha Bluebeard’.

In 1966, Forbes returned to Jamaica where she continued working with the JBC.

But just two years later she would move to Australia where her husband was working at the University of Queensland.

During her time in the land down under, Forbes took the opportunity to act in a number of radio dramas for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation while also working part time as a drama teacher.

After returning to Jamaica, she was in 1972 appointed head of Radio, the JBC’s FM service.

She would later be promoted to overall director of radio broadcasting in 1976, but continued to act in local and overseas productions, including Milk and Honey, The Orchid House and Soul Survivor.

Broadcaster Cliff Hughes, head of Nationwide News Network, tonight said of Forbes on Twitter: “One the finest actors…broadcasters, Leonie Forbes, has exited the stage. I am forever grateful for what I learnt from you. Walk Good Auntie Leonie.”