Olu Jacobs: 10 Iconic Movies That Immortalised His Legacy in Nollywood
Veteran actor Olu Jacobs, who died on September 16, 2026, at 84, leaves behind a remarkable career spanning more than five decades, from British theatre and international films to becoming one of Nollywood’s most respected actors.
His international journey included notable appearances in Ashanti (1979), The Dogs of War (1980) and Roman Polanski’s Pirates (1986), where he shared the screen with major international stars.
Back home, Jacobs became synonymous with powerful and authoritative roles through films such as Twins of the Rain Forest, The Kingmaker, Eye of the Gods and Dancing Heart, the latter earning him the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
He also featured in socially and politically significant productions including Dry and Oloibiri, before making what is widely regarded as his final screen appearance in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017). Across a career of more than 120 productions, Jacobs earned several honours, including the MFR national award and multiple lifetime and industry achievement recognitions.
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