Legendary Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs (MFR), widely known as Olu Jacobs, passed away at the age of 84. His death was announced on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in an official statement shared on Instagram by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, on behalf of the family, referring to the veteran actor as “The Lion of Lufodo”.
Born on July 11, 1942, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olu Jacobs was a cultural icon and one of Africa’s most revered actors. He trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London during the 1960s and established an international career across British television series like The Tomorrow People and Dixon of Dock Green, as well as major feature films including The Dogs of War (1980) alongside Christopher Walken.
Returning to Nigeria in the 1980s, he became a central pillar of Nollywood, celebrated for his commanding presence, rich baritone voice, and authoritative portrayals of traditional rulers and patriarchs across more than 120 movies.
He was honored with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011 and received multiple lifetime achievement awards. Alongside his wife, acclaimed actress Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group, a media and entertainment organization dedicated to production and performing arts training.
The official news of his death ends years of recurring false death rumors that frequently targeted the actor on social media. After his wife revealed in November 2021 that he was managing Lewy Body Dementia, a condition that prompted his retirement from public life, his frailty made him a frequent target for viral online death hoaxes, notably in June 2020, August 2022, and June 2024.
These false reports repeatedly forced his family and the Actors Guild of Nigeria to issue public disclaimers and share recent videos to prove he was alive. Because of these past false alarms, the family specifically requested that social media users, bloggers, and influencers respect their privacy and handle the news of his actual passing with discretion as they mourn.
