Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84

Veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

His family announced his death on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in a statement shared on Instagram. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, shared a photograph of Jacobs alongside the announcement, while their son, Olusoji Jacobs, also shared news of his passing.

The family statement identified Jacobs as a husband, father, grandfather and uncle, and referred to him as “The Lion of Lufodo.” It listed his dates of birth and death as July 11, 1942 – September 16, 2026.

The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn his death.

Jacobs leaves behind a career that spanned British theatre and television, international film and several decades of Nigerian cinema. Before becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable actors, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Photo: Instagram/@olusojijacobs

His early professional career included appearances in British television productions and international films. Among his film credits were The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Roman Polanski’s Pirates. His work during this period established an international dimension to a career that would later become closely associated with Nigerian cinema.

After returning to Nigeria, Jacobs continued working in television and film. He appeared in the NTA detective series The Third Eye and went on to build an extensive body of work in Nollywood, appearing in numerous productions over several decades.

His career extended beyond acting. Together with Joke Silva, Jacobs co-founded the Lufodo Group, which includes the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Their work through the group covered film production and training within the performing arts, giving the couple a role in both the creative and educational sides of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Jacobs and Silva were married and had two children. Their professional partnership also became a notable part of their contribution to Nigeria’s performing arts.

Over the course of his career, Jacobs received several honours for his work. He received the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievement in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the Africa International Film Festival.

Photo: Instagram/@olujacobs

In 2011, he received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) from the Nigerian government in recognition of his contribution to the arts.

In his later years, Jacobs largely withdrew from public life. In 2021, Joke Silva disclosed publicly that her husband was living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive condition. His reduced public appearances subsequently led to several false reports of his death. In 2024, another widely circulated report claiming that he had died was dismissed by his family.

Jacobs’ death on September 16, 2026, was confirmed by his family. The family has not disclosed a cause of death in its announcement and has asked the public to respect its privacy during the mourning period.

He celebrated his 84th birthday on July 11, 2026, just over two months before his death.

From his early work in British theatre and television to international film and his decades in Nigerian cinema, Jacobs built a career across multiple generations of screen entertainment. His work in acting, production and performing-arts education made him a longstanding figure in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.