Jimmy Cliff , the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as Many Rivers to Cross , You Can Get it If You Really Want and Vietnam and starred in the landmark movie The Harder They Come , has died at 81.

His family posted a message Monday on his social media sites that he died from a “seizure followed by pneumonia.” Additional information was not immediately available.

“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career,” the announcement reads in part. “He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”

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Cliff was a native Jamaican with a spirited tenor and a gift for catchphrases and topical lyrics who joined Kingston’s emergi

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