Veteran Nollywood actor and film executive Olu Jacobs has died, with his family announcing his passing on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

The actor’s son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced the death in an Instagram post, describing his father as “The Lion of Lufodo” and appealing to bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn.

Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs on July 11, 1942, the veteran actor built a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, British television, international productions and Nollywood.

Jacobs was born in Kano to parents with roots in the Egba Alake community of Abeokuta, Ogun State. His interest in acting developed while he was growing up, through school drama, debating activities and church programmes.

His passion for the performing arts deepened after he watched a performance by legendary Nigerian theatre practitioner Hubert Ogunde, an experience that encouraged him to pursue acting professionally.

Jacobs later travelled to the United Kingdom, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He subsequently worked with several repertoire theatres and appeared in British television productions during the 1970s, including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, The Professionals, The Tomorrow People and Barlow at Large.

After returning to Nigeria, Jacobs became one of the most recognisable figures in the country’s entertainment industry, working across theatre, television and film. He appeared in more than 100 films and became particularly associated with roles as kings, chiefs, traditional rulers, patriarchs and other authority figures.

His commanding screen presence and distinctive voice made him one of the defining actors of his generation, while his theatre background helped establish him as a respected figure beyond Nollywood.

Jacobs was also a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour and received major industry recognition, including the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

His death comes after years in which false reports of his passing had circulated on social media. In June 2024, for instance, the Actors Guild of Nigeria and his family publicly dismissed similar reports.

The latest announcement has, however, been confirmed by members of his immediate family.