Late Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs Faced Years Of Death Rumours

For years, false reports about legendary actor, Olu Jacobs’ death repeatedly circulated online, prompting his family and colleagues to publicly confirm that the veteran actor was still alive.

That changed on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when Jacobs’ family confirmed that the 84-year-old actor had died.

His son, Olusoji Jacobs, shared the announcement, identifying the actor as “The Lion of Lufodo”. The family also appealed to bloggers and social media users to respect their privacy as they mourn.

Documented false reports about Jacobs’ death date back to 2020, with further rumours emerging in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

In June 2024, another wave of posts claimed that the actor had died. His son subsequently confirmed that he was alive, while video footage of Jacobs was shared to counter the reports. Africa Check also investigated the claim and found it to be false.

Joke Silva, Jacobs’ wife, had similarly dismissed previous reports of his death, including a widely circulated claim in 2022.

The repeated rumours became an unfortunate feature of the veteran actor’s later years, with his family having to address claims that he had died on multiple occasions.

Wednesday’s announcement was different. This time, confirmation came from Jacobs’ immediate family.

With a career spanning theatre, television and film, Jacobs became one of the most respected figures in Nigerian entertainment. His work extended across several decades and included major productions in both Nigeria and Britain.

He is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, their children and grandchildren.