Veteran Nollywood actor, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs is dead. He died at the age of 84.
His wife, Joke Silva, and their son announced his death on social media on Wednesday morning.
The family revealed that the actor, whom they described as the “Lion of Lufodo”, died on 16 September.
The couple founded and operated the Lufodo Group, a media corporation that consists of film production, distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
TheHintsNews reports that in 2021, rumours had it that Jacobs had died until he attended Afriff in November 2021 where he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
His wife Silva later revealed in an interview with Chude Jideonwo that he was battling Lewy Body Dementia (DLB), a progressive degenerative brain disease similar to Parkinson’s disease, before passing away at the age of 84.
She revealed the diagnosis in November 2021 after years of private struggle.
Checks revealed that the condition impaired his memory, thinking, reasoning, and movement, making it impossible for him to continue memorising scripts or performing on screen.
Joke Silva explained that managing the illness required specialized geriatric care, noting that proper diagnosis was crucial because treatments for Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia differ significantly.
The degenerative nature of the disease meant his awareness and memory fluctuated, leading to his eventual retirement from acting and rare public appearances supported by his family.
Olu Jacobs began his career starring in several British television series and international films.
He was trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England. He worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.