Rita Dominic mourns legendary actor Olu Jacobs
Nollywood actress Rita Dominic has paid tribute to the late veteran actor Olu Jacobs, describing him as an iconic and legendary figure whose contribution to the film industry inspired generations. In a Facebook post, the actress expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have worked alongside the celebrated actor and to have learned from him. “My […]
LAGOS, September 17 — Renowned Nigerian actor and filmmaker Olu Jacobs has passed away at the age of 84, his family announced. A prominent figure in Nigeria's film industry, known as Nollywood, Jacobs dedicated over five decades to theatre, television, and film. His son, Olusoji Jacobs, conveyed on Instagram that his father had lived a life "well lived and fought."
President Bola Tinubu hailed Jacobs as a "giant of the Nigerian creative industry" and a key contributor to the nation's cultural identity. Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate, mourned the loss of not only a great actor but also a cultural icon and an ambassador of Nigeria's creative spirit. Jacobs' wife, actress and filmmaker Joke Silva, had previously revealed in 2021 that he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative condition.
Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, he honed his craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London during the 1970s, appearing in British television shows like The Goodies, The Professionals, and The Tomorrow People. Throughout his illustrious career, Jacobs appeared in over 200 productions, earning accolades such as Africa Movie Academy Awards and Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Nollywood, dubbed the world's second-largest film industry after Bollywood, churns out approximately 2,000 films annually.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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