Nollywood Actor, J T Tom-West dies

By AZUH AMATUS

J.T. Tom-West, one of Nollywood's finest and leading lights is dead.

The Rivers State-born Tom West, who is also a director, dancer and singer, according to Daily Sun sources, died Thursday morning in an undisclosed hospital on Lagos Island, following a ghastly auto accident.

The accident reportedly happened while the still single father of one, boy and two of his colleagues were returning from a location after shooting late into the night on Tuesday.

“The car they were driving lost control and somersaulted severally. Some good samaritans rescued them from the wreckage and took them to the hospital, but unfortunately Tom-West died as a result of internal bleeding, while the other two are responding to treatment,” said Daily Sun source.

Confirming Tom-West's death, which had also thrown Nollywood into mourning, star actor Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey lamented thus: “Why J.T? Since the sad news got to me early this morning through a nurse friend of mine, I have not been myself. He was a very good actor and a complete gentleman.”
While sharing her grief with Daily Sun, visibly shaken star actress, Oby Edozieh declared that Tom-West's good works and the simple life he led would remain indelible on the minds of people, “especially his colleagues and fans. He came, saw and affected lives through his numerous movies. He would be missed by all of us. Adieu my good pal.”

In an emotion laden voice, top movie director and one of the close confidants of the deceased, Chima Okoroji regretted the death of his colleague: “I'm still in a state of shock, I can't say much for now. I'm still investigating. This is a big blow.”

Speaking Ejike Asiegbu, National President, Actors Guild of Nigeria disclosed his guild is already in touch with the deceased family.

He described him as a “precious actor and one of the best in Nollywood.”
Meanwhile, the body of the late actor had been deposited at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital morgue pending when a date would be fixed for a befitting burial.

In his early 40s, the actor fondly called “J.T.” who was famous with his ponytou hair style, acted in numerous Nollywood movies including “State of Emergency,” where he played a terrorist. The last public outing of the action-hero actor was the recently held Nollywood Gala Nite at the Coliseum Nightshift where he interacted freely with his colleagues.