Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has died at 84. His son Olusoji announced the news early Wednesday, thanking God for his father’s “life well lived and fought” and asking bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy at this time.
Born Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs on July 11, 1942, he built a career spanning Nigerian, British, and international film and television productions dating back to the 1970s, earning him status as one of the most respected names in African cinema.
His honours included the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), an Icon Award from the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria in 2022, and the Industry Merit Award at the 2023 AMVCAs for his decades of contribution to acting.
He married actress Joke Silva in 1989, and the couple had two children together.
