Legendary Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs dies aged 84

What the report says

Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has died at the age of 84, according to a statement from his wife, actor Joke Silva, who asked for privacy as the family mourns. BBC Africa reported that Jacobs was widely regarded as one of the most recognisable figures in Nigerian cinema and a father figure in Nollywood, with a career that stretched across theatre, television and film.

The report says Jacobs worked for more than five decades and appeared in a number of well-known productions, including My Kingdom, Covert Operation and One Fine Day. Born in 1942, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before building a career that also included British television and international film work. He later became a major presence in Nigeria’s film industry, known for his screen presence and range.

BBC Africa also noted that Jacobs received several honours during his career, including the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and a national honour in 2011. Together with Silva, he helped establish the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to training and development in the sector. His death is significant because he was one of the defining figures of Nollywood and an influential cultural presence in Nigeria.

The article says Jacobs had largely withdrawn from public life in recent years because of ill-health.