The world of acting is once again in mourning. This Thursday, December 7, we learned the sad news of the death of actor Benjamin Zephaniah at the age of 65 due to a brain tumor that he was diagnosed with just two months ago. His family has been responsible for communicating the news of the death of the British poet and playwright through social networks.
”It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband, son and brother in the early hours of this morning, December 7, 2023,” the family said in a statement. ”Benjamin’s wife was by his side at all times and she was with him when she passed away. We share the news with the world and we know that many will be shocked and saddened by this news,” they stressed.
”Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave a lot to the world. In an incredible career, which includes an enormous amount of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us a joyful and fantastic legacy. Thank you for all the love you have given, Professor Benjamin Zephaniah,” they concluded.
The British playwright was born in Handsworth in 1958. He was one of the pioneers in developing the well-known ‘dub poetry’, a genre that was born in Jamaica and which consists of reciting verses based on reggae music, through which He denounced certain social and political issues. He published 13 collections of poems and an autobiography titled The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah.
And although his profession mainly took him down the path of letters, the Briton also did various interpretive jobs. The actor participated in series such as EastEnders, The Bill and Zen Motoring, but his best-known participation was in the popular series Peaky Blinders, starring Ilian Murphy. The poet appeared in a total of 14 chapters in which he played Jeremiah Jesus.
