Family Announces Passing of Celebrated Actor, Urges Public to Respect Its Privacy
Veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs has died at the age of 84.
His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 16.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” Olusoji wrote.
The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy as they mourn the veteran actor.
Born in 1942, Jacobs enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades across the United Kingdom and Nigeria. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London before appearing in British television productions, including The Goodies and The Professionals, as well as international films.
He returned to Nigeria in the 1980s and became one of the prominent figures in the country’s emerging film industry. Jacobs became particularly known for portraying traditional rulers, authoritative figures and fatherly characters.
In 2021, his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, disclosed that Jacobs had been diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), a progressive neurodegenerative condition. The revelation followed years of false reports and rumours about his health.
Jacobs and Silva were married for decades and co-founded Lufodo Group, a media and performing arts company involved in developing talent in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Jacobs was honoured with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011 and also received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.