By Agbafo Ijeoma
Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday.
Olusoji described his father as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, saying the family was grateful to God for his life. He also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy as they mourned the veteran actor.
Born on July 11, 1942, Olu Jacobs built a career spanning theatre, television and film and became one of Nigeria’s most prominent veteran actors. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and appeared in several British television productions before returning to Nigeria, where he became a major figure in Nollywood.
Jacobs featured in more than 100 films and received several honours during his career, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007 and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.
He was married to fellow veteran actress, Joke Silva, with whom he founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. His death marks the end of a decades-long career and comes after significant contributions to theatre, television and film in Nigeria.
