Reggae legend and actor Jimmy Cliff, known for classics like “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” and “Vietnam,” has died at 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed Monday that Cliff died from a seizure followed by pneumonia. In a message posted to his social media accounts, his family thanked fans worldwide for the unwavering support that sustained him throughout his six-decade career.

Born James Chambers in Jamaica’s Saint James parish, Cliff became a defining voice of the island’s emerging music scene in the 1960s. His breakthrough extended beyond music with his starring role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, a cultural landmark that helped introduce reggae to global audiences. Though initially slow at the box office, the film and its soundtrack became touchstones of Jamaican identity, influencing generations of artists and cementing Cliff as one of reggae’s most important ambassadors.

Cliff’s career spanned collaborations with the Rolling Stones, Wyclef Jean, Sting, and Bruce Springsteen, along with two Grammy wins, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Jamaica’s Order of Merit. His songs were covered by artists as varied as John Lennon, Cher, and UB40, while political movements and international fans embraced his anthems of resilience. Even in his later years, he continued recording and performing, leaving behind a global legacy rooted in pride, perseverance, and the transformative power of reggae music.