From 1994 until 2015, Jamaicans of all ages welcomed a colourful set of characters who brought drama, love, deception, and politics into their homes on Sunday nights. During this time, these characters – portrayed by the cast of CVM TV’s Royal Palm Estate – grew to be more than just acquaintances popping in for the occasional visit, they became family. It is because of this that the death of veteran educator and actor Ronald Goshop, who played ‘Mackie’ on the show, has left so many people sad.
With decades of experience under his belt, Goshop brought to the world of performing arts a certain prestige that very few have been able to replicate. In fact, according to the show’s producer and director, Lennie Little-White, Goshop’s passion and commitment to his craft made him not only easy to work with, but made the former teacher a pillar among his industry mates. “He was very easy to work with and a pleasant gentleman.
He always studied his lines. Ronald was a serious and versatile professional who studied serious theatre for years, all while teaching at Excelsior,” White told The Gleaner , adding, “He took his craft very seriously!” A similar sentiment was also shared by some of Goshop’s peers who operated in the space with him. Among those is media and performing arts stalwart, Fae Ellington.
“I found that, every character that Ronald Goshop got, he was able to make them distinctly authentic ...
When you saw Ronald on stage, you know he was going to gi.