Nigeria: Legendary Actor Olu Jacobs Dies At 84
Legendary Nollywood actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs has passed away at the age of 84 in Nigeria, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning more than 5 decades in film, television and theatre. His family announced his death on Wednesday 16th September 2026 through his son Olusoji Jacobs on Instagram, describing him as The Lion of Lufodo and asking for privacy during mourning.
The veteran actor, widely revered as one of the godfathers of Nollywood, built his reputation on authoritative roles and commanding screen presence. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and worked with repertoire theatres in Britain before featuring in British television productions including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, The Professionals and The Tomorrow People, and international films including The Dogs of War and Roman Polanski’s Pirates.
His return to Nigeria established him as a towering figure in Nollywood with more than 130 film credits, earning the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in 2013 and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011. According to Punch Nigeria, the family expressed gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought while urging bloggers and influencers to respect their privacy at this time.
In African cinema history, Nollywood ranks as the second largest film industry by output, with veteran actors like Olu Jacobs and Pete Edochie bridging stage discipline with screen commercialization. Training at institutions like RADA provided technical grounding in method acting, voice projection and character interpretation, a tradition that influenced performance standards in West Africa. The Lufodo Group, co founded with his wife veteran actress Joke Silva, advanced performing arts education, talent incubation and production infrastructure in Nigeria.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, the Actors Guild of Nigeria and fans across the continent who remember Jacobs for his deep resonant voice, moral gravitas and mentorship to younger actors. He is survived by his wife Joke Silva and his sons Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family, with stakeholders calling for state recognition of his contribution to African cultural heritage and creative economy development.
Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu
