Veteran Nollywood actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, known professionally as Olu Jacobs, has died at 84.
Reports of Olu Jacobs’ death emerged on Wednesday, September 16.
Olu Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most celebrated actors, with his illustrious career spanning theatre, British television, international film and Nollywood.
He was born on July 11, 1942, and later developed an interest in acting at an early age.
Olu Jacobs later travelled to the United Kingdom, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
His professional acting career began in theatre and British television before he established himself as a major figure in Nigerian cinema.
One of Olu Jacobs’ earliest recorded stage roles came in 1972, when he played The Boy in A Taste of Honey at the newly opened Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
He went on to feature in several British television productions throughout the 1970s, including The Goodies, Till Death Do Us Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, The Tomorrow People and The Professionals.
The late Jacobs also appeared in several international films, including The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Pirates. These roles further demonstrated his versatility across stage, television and film.
Olu Jacobs eventually returned to Nigeria, where he became one of the leading figures in the country’s emerging film industry.
Over the years, Olu Jacobs appeared in numerous Nollywood productions and became widely recognised for portraying authoritative, superior and often complex characters.
The late Olu Jacobs’ remarkable contribution to the Nigerian film industry earned him several honours.
In 2011, he was awarded the Nigerian national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contribution to the arts.
He also received major industry recognition, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival in 2021.
Jacobs was also closely associated with veteran actress Joke Silva, whom he married in 1989. The couple have two children and have remained one of Nigeria’s most prominent celebrity couples.
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@ghnow_ Hon. Ashai Odamtten present School items to over 1000 students in Tema East #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
@ghnow_ Hon. Ashai Odamtten present School items to over 1000 students in Tema East #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – Ashraf Aboo Mu'ttassim
