The family of veteran Nollywood Actor, Olu Jacobs, has shot down earlier reports of his demise, which went viral on social media today Sunday.
In 2022, rumours had spread that the Actor, suffering dementia, had equally passed on.
However, contrary to the latest round of rumours, a video released by his family showed the Actor having a haircut at home.
BARBER’S VOICE: Hello, Dad, Dad, can you hear me?
OLU: Yes, I can hear you.
BARBER’S VOICE: They say that you died.
OLU: What do they mean by that I died?
BARBER’S VOICE: They say you died
OLU: Na lie.
BARBER’S VOICE: Na lie abi, na like, ok. We are going to Ikoyi Club today. They will see you up and about. All this foolish people. They are not serious.
Social media had been inundated with reports that the veteran Nollywood Actor Olu passed away at 82.
Reacting to the news, fans and colleagues inundated the internet with palpable grief and outpouring of tributes.
Many celebrated him not only for his acting prowess but also for his contributions to the growth and recognition of Nigerian cinema on the global stage.
Many recalled him as a father figure and a legend.
Not a few sympathised with his wife, equally a Nollywood icon, Joke Sylva.
The famous Nollywood actor is also a producer, entrepreneur and a television personality.
Born 11th July 1942 in Abeokuta in today’s Ogun State, Nigeria, his giant strides bestrode both television and film industry for more than 40 years.
With his wife, Joke Silva, he has three children, two sons, and a daughter: Olusoji, Olugbenga and Dayo.
Olu Jacobs is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Arts Academy, a movie school for training movie practitioners in acting, directing, producing, script writing, photography, costumier, makeup, editing, modeling, set designed and various aspect of movie making.
After completing his secondary school education, Olu Jacobs proceeded to England in the United Kingdom to study acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, United Kingdom.
After this, he featured in various British television shows and dramatic series such as The Goodies, Till Death, Angels, and many more. He was inspired to take acting as a career when he attended Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party held in Kano State, Nigeria in 1970.
In 1971, Olu Jacobs joined the entertainment industry and acted in his first movies “Murderous Angels” written by Conor Cruise O’Brien in London, United Kingdom.
In 1978, Olu Jacobs played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Tom Stoppard’s play “Night and Day”.
In 2007, Olu Jacobs won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
He has acted in over 250 Nollywood movies, including: Ashanti, The Dogs of War, Pirates, Secret of the Lost Legend, The Dogs Meeting, Beauty and the Beast, Adesuwa, Dry, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, A Kind of Marriage, Till Death Do Us Part, Venturers, The Third Eye, Play for Today, and many more.
He holds the Nigerian honor of Member of the Order of Federal Republic (MFR).
