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Best friends Oliver Samuels and Deon Silvera.

Misha Lobban, Contributor

Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.
- Woodrow Wilson

Friendships are the defining connections in our lives. Our friends are the constant support through the good and bad, and they love us irrespective of our vices.

Known for her unmistakably husky voice and comical performance on the Jamaican theatre stage, Deon Silvera, actress and businesswoman, has been a close friend of well-known comedian, actor and marketing executive, Oliver Samuels, for many years.

Oliver has been a mentor, friend and inspiration to Deon throughout her career as a professional actress. Through her eyes, we gain insight into another side of the celebrated actor/comedian, who has almost 38 years' experience in film and theatre and is popularly known for his television series, Oliver at Large.

Oliver lists you as one of his close friends who know him very well. How did you meet him?

I knew about Oliver as an actor/comedian ever since I was a little girl and I really admired him. Then in 1981 I had the opportunity to be a member of the cast for the pantomime, Pirate Princess, and he was playing one of lead roles. I was drawn to his mannerism, how comical he was. From him open him mouth, mi just start laugh, and whenever him get serious his nose would flare out and it would just mek mi dead with laughter. Our friendship began to grow from then onwards.

How long have you been friends?

Over 27 years since the pantomime, and he has been like a father figure in my life ever since.

Tell us what you admire most about him, and why do you think you have remained friends all these years?

His fatherlike qualities, especially with his children. He has five children and I have always admired how he takes care of them, ensures that they are properly provided for and that they get a solid education. He's also a no-nonsense person and you can rely on him to be straightforward and honest with you, and once you are a person who tells me the truth you will be my best friend for life.

Share with us one of the happiest moments you have had with him.

I have had many, but I could say it was my first time on stage with him because it was like a dream come true. I had always read about him and watched him on stage prior to that, and being a part of the pantomime with him in 1981 was my happiest moment.

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Oliver.

Fun-loving and comical.

What are his favourite food, sport, etc.?

Stew peas - but now he's health conscious so he's into natural juices and vegetarian dishes (him claim seh him a eat that now fi lose the weight off him belly).

He's not really sports-inclined but I know he likes cricket and enjoys watching his grandchildren participate in athletics on sports day. In fact, he never misses their sports day as long as he's in the island.

Tell us the colour you best associate him with:

Yellow signifying someone you'll never forget

Orange signifying someone you consider your true friend

Red signifying someone you really love

Green signifying someone you'll remember for the rest of your life.

I would choose all of them because I love him and he's a very good friend, but if I have to pick one it would be green ... it's very symbolic for me and how I feel about him.

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