# Olu Jacobs, Nollywood pioneer, dies at 84

> The legendary Nigerian actor shaped the global film industry over five decades in theatre, television and cinema.
- Title: Olu Jacobs, Nollywood pioneer, dies at 84 · Malay Mail
- Summary: The legendary Nigerian actor shaped the global film industry over five decades in theatre, television and cinema. Olu Jacobs was a foundational figure who…
- Keywords: olu jacobs, nollywood, nigeria, actor, filmmaker, death, film industry, cultural icon, theatre, television, lewy body dementia, news
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2026/09/17/olu-jacobs-veteran-actor-who-helped-shape-nollywood-dies-at-84/235494
- Published: 2026-09-17T11:40:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: olu jacobs, nollywood, nigeria, actor, filmmaker, death, film industry, cultural icon, theatre, television, lewy body dementia, news
## Nollywood pioneer passes away
Olu Jacobs, a foundational figure in Nigeria's film industry, died at 84. His family announced the death on Instagram, describing his as a life well lived.

> He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry
## Five decades shaping cinema
Jacobs worked across theatre, television and film for over 50 years, appearing in more than 200 productions and earning Africa Movie Academy Awards and Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.
## From London stages to global fame
Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and appeared in British television shows in the 1970s including The Goodies, The Professionals and The Tomorrow People.
## Building Nigeria's cultural identity
President Bola Tinubu said Jacobs played a big role in building Nigeria's cultural identity. His passing is a loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global performing arts community.

> His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts
## An institution and cultural icon
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Nigeria lost far more than a great actor. He called Jacobs an institution, a cultural icon and one of the finest ambassadors of Nigeria's creative spirit.

> Nigeria has lost far more than a great actor; we have lost an institution, a cultural icon
## Nollywood's global reach
Nollywood is the world's second largest film industry after Bollywood, producing around 2,000 films annually. Jacobs helped elevate it to global prominence.
## Battling Lewy body dementia
His wife, actress and filmmaker Joke Silva, announced in 2021 that Jacobs had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
## Key takeaway

Olu Jacobs was a foundational figure who elevated Nollywood from a regional industry to a global cultural force, leaving behind a legacy that defined Nigerian cinema.