Remembering JT Tom West

JT Tom-West(late)

Late Nigerian actor/singer/model/dancer, JT Tom West – real names Joe Tamuno-Bibidamaa Tom-West – was a likely candidate heading to Hollywood, up until he passed away a few days after being involved in an auto crash in September 28, 2006. He was returning from a movie location whose shoot inched on late into the night. He rose to stardom when he featured in the now rested soap, Fortunes, and he was at some point pursing a musical career. Many may remember him for the rap verse he delivered in the popular NTA Channel 5 jingleDon’t Settle For Less. The actor also featured in the musical videos of Blackky, Segun Arinze and Esse Agesse as a dancer.

His foray into movies began with a minor role in Glamour Girls and afterwards in Laviva, Ghetto Crime, She Devil, Gangster Paradise, The Captor, among many others. A producer’s favourite, his role in Teco Benson’s 2004 movie, State of Emergency, where he portrayed a good soldier turned-terrorist, Tom-West alongside his special squad of hit men, held the president and minister’s hostage for hours until they were eventually overpowered. The Rivers State-born actor also carved a niche for himself in the industry with his unusual villain roles, alongside popular ‘villains’ back then such as Saint Obi, Hanks Anuku, Gentle Jack, Segun Arinze and Jerry Amilo. It has been six years since his death but still his name continues to draw up emotions from his fans and colleagues. In an interview, fellow actress, Kate Henshaw revealed that the late actor accompanied her to her first movie audition which saw her clinch a major role as Omono in When The Sun Sets and helped kick start her career.