Olu Jacobs, 1942 – 2026

Nigerian-born actor Olu Jacobs, 84, died on Sept. 16. A RADA graduate, he worked in British theater, films and TV, including the series The Goodies, Rumpole of the Bailey, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, and The Professionals. On film Jacobs was seen in The Dogs of War, Pirates, and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend. But mostly he was known as one of Nigeria’s top actors (“Nollywood” films, I just learned they are called!). He was married to actress Joke Silva (since 1989). Of the Nigerian film industry, Jacobs said, “There was a time when everything that we did was measured against what the Europeans did. What they did was the best and ours was the worst. But our children, even being born in foreign land, don't think so anymore. They know that we are capable.”