Olu Jacobs: 10 Things To Know About The Late Nollywood Legend And His Most Memorable Movies
The death of veteran actor Olu Jacobs at 84 has sent Nigerians back to the movies, characters and unforgettable moments that made him one of the most recognisable faces in the country’s entertainment industry.
For several decades, Jacobs played everything from kings and traditional rulers to fathers, politicians, detectives and villains. But there was much more to the man behind the familiar voice and commanding presence.
Here are 10 things to know about the late Nollywood legend.
- His real name was Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs
Olu Jacobs was born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs on July 11, 1942. He died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. His family described him as “The Lion of Lufodo” in the announcement of his passing.
- He trained in London
Long before becoming a household name in Nollywood, Jacobs trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
His training opened the door to a career that included theatre and television productions in Britain before he eventually returned to Nigeria.
- He appeared in British TV shows and international films
Jacobs had an international career that many younger fans may not know about.
He featured in British television productions including The Goodies, Barlow at Large, The Professionals and The Tomorrow People.
He also appeared in international films such as The Dogs of War, Pirates, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Ashanti.
- “Third Eye” introduced him to a wider Nigerian audience
One of Jacobs’ major Nigerian television roles was as the lead actor in the NTA detective series Third Eye.
The series became one of his significant early appearances after his return to Nigeria and helped establish him as a major television actor.
- He became Nollywood’s go-to king
There was hardly a generation of Nigerian film lovers that did not see Jacobs play a king, chief or powerful elder.
His imposing presence and distinctive delivery eventually earned him the nickname “Igwe of Nollywood”, with producers frequently choosing him for royal and authoritative roles.
- He appeared in hundreds of productions
Jacobs’ career went far beyond the movies many Nigerians remember from the video-film era.
He was credited with appearances in more than 200 home-video productions, alongside numerous stage and television productions.
Some of the productions associated with his career include Oloibiri, Vigilante and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, among many others.
- He was also a celebrated stage actor
Before Nollywood became the giant it is today, Jacobs had already established himself as a serious theatre practitioner.
His career included extensive stage work in Britain and Nigeria, and his theatre experience helped shape the commanding performances that later became his trademark on screen.
- He won major awards
Jacobs’ contribution to acting was recognised with several major honours.
He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007. He also received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 AMVCAs and an AMAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
- He built a creative empire with Joke Silva
Olu Jacobs and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, were not only one of Nigeria’s best-known entertainment couples, they also worked together to develop the industry.
The couple co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, helping to provide professional training for aspiring performers.
- His biggest legacy may be the generations he influenced
Jacobs became one of the links between Nigeria’s older theatre tradition and the modern Nigerian film industry.
His career stretched from British theatre and television to Nigerian stage productions, NTA television and Nollywood, making him one of the actors whose work crossed several generations.
Movies and roles Nigerians will remember
For many fans, however, Olu Jacobs will always be remembered most vividly through the characters he played.
Whether he was wearing a crown, sitting as an elder in a village palace, playing a powerful father or delivering one of his trademark stern speeches, Jacobs had a way of making even familiar characters memorable.
His work in productions such as Oloibiri, Vigilante and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, alongside his extensive television and stage career, helped cement his place in Nigerian entertainment history.
Jacobs’ death closes the chapter on a career that lasted for decades, but his voice, characters and performances remain familiar to millions of Nigerians who grew up watching him.
From the stage in London to NTA and the rise of Nollywood, Olu Jacobs was part of several chapters of African entertainment history. And for the generations who watched him, his name will always carry the weight of a true screen legend.
