One of Nigeria’s most respected actors, Olu Jacobs, has passed away at 84.

His demise was announced by his wife Joke Silva and son Olusoji Jacobs in a joint Instagram post on Wednesday.

The statement read, “It’s with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The lion of Lufodo.”

His death has drawn tributes from notable figures in the Nigerian film community and political leaders.

Below are 10 things to know about the late veteran actor Olu Jacobs

.Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, also professionally known as Olu Jacobs, was born on July 11, 1942, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to parents from Egba Alake, and spent his early childhood in Kano State.

.Mr Jacobs was inspired to act after joining several debating and drama societies while he was in Kano. He later moved to England to train as a professional actor, studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, which helped to launch his career.

.The late actor featured in several stage productions in the 1970s, such as Richard’s Cork Leg, A Taste of Honey, Murderous Angels: A Political Tragedy and Comedy in Black and White, Night and Day, A Kind of Marriage, among others, before becoming a household name.

.Aside from stage productions, he also appeared in major international television and film productions, such as The Goodies, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals and The Dog of War. 

.Mr Jacobs later returned to Nigeria in the early 1990s and became one of the most well-known actors in the country’s emerging film industry at the time. He later starred in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) crime series The Third Eye.

.In Nigerian film and television production, he played roles such as a traditional ruler, a wealthy political figure, and an authority figure.

.Mr Jacobs also ranked among the top actors of his generation, which include Sam Loco Efe, Justus Esiri, Pete Edochie, Jide Kosoko, Sadiq Daba and Richard Mofe-Damijo, among others. He appeared in over 300 films and TV series.

.Mr Jacobs was married to actress Joke Silva since 1989, and survived by three children, Olusoji, Olugbenga and Dayo Jacobs. He and his wife founded the Lufodo Group, a major film production and distribution company, and also established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts in 2012.

.In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role; he received a national honour as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contributions to Nollywood. He received an Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice (AMVCA) Awards. The veteran later won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 for his contribution to the industry.

.In 2021, he dismissed rumours of his death which circulated after he attended the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). Ms Jacobs later disclosed that he had been battling dementia with Lewy bodies years before he died.