Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant and star of landmark film 'The Harder They Come,' dead at 81

NEW YORK (AP) — 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 wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed his death Monday. Chambers and Cliff's three children also posted a message on his social media sites that he died from a “seizure followed by pneumonia.” Additional information was not immediately available.