Veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs, dies at 84

Veteran actor, producer and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, professionally known as Olu Jacobs, is dead.
He was 84 years.
His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a post released on his Instagram page on Wednesday.
“It is 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.
“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our family’s privacy at this time,” he wrote.

Born on July 11, 1942, the veteran Nigerian actor began his career starring in several British television series and international films.
Known as one of the ‘godfathers of Nollywood’, he trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), England, worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
He had a career spanning theatre, television and film, and was one of Nigeria’s most prominent veteran actors. 
He featured in several British television productions before returning to Nigeria, where he became a major figure in Nollywood.

Jacobs starred 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.
The veteran actor’s death marks the end of a career that spanned several decades, with notable contributions to theatre, television and film in Nigeria.