20 notable films starring late veteran actor Olu Jacobs

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Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, better known as Olu Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84, bringing to an end a screen career that spanned British theatre and television, international cinema and Nollywood.

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His son, Olusoji, announced his death, prompting tributes from politicians, entertainers and fans who remembered his decades-long career and contribution to the Nigerian film industry.n

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Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Jacobs built a career that included international productions in the 1970s and 1980s and hundreds of Nigerian films.n

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Beyond acting, Jacobs worked as a producer and stage director and was a co-founder of the Lufodo Group with his wife, actress Joke Silva.

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Here are 20 films that feature different stages of his career, from his early international appearances to his later Nigerian productions:

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1. Ashanti (1979)

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Ashanti was among the earliest films in Jacobs’ documented filmography. He played Commissioner Batak in the 1979 adventure film, which featured Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov and Kabir Bedi.

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The film provides an early record of Jacobs’ work in international cinema.

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2. The Dogs of War (1980)

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Jacobs played a Customs Officer in The Dogs of War, the 1980 film adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel.

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Directed by John Irvin and starring Christopher Walken, the film follows mercenaries involved in a military operation in an unnamed African country. The production became one of Jacobs’ recognised early international screen credits.

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3. Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)

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Jacobs appeared as Colonel Nsogbu in Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, an adventure film produced by Walt Disney’s Touchstone Pictures.

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The film follows researchers who discover a previously unknown dinosaur species during an expedition in Africa. Jacobs’ appearance added another international production to his filmography.

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4. Pirates (1986)

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Roman Polanski’s Pirates featured Jacobs as Boomako.

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Released in 1986 and starring Walter Matthau as Captain Red, the adventure comedy marked another international production in Jacobs’ early screen career.

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5. Greatness (2007)

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After his early international film appearances, Jacobs featured in the Nigerian production Greatness, playing a King.

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The film is among the Nigerian titles listed in his documented filmography.

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6. Smoke & Mirrors (2008)

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Jacobs played Alhaji Sanni in Smoke & Mirrors, another Nigerian production in his filmography.

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The role came during a period when his screen career was increasingly associated with Nigerian cinema.

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7. League of Gentlemen (2009)

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In League of Gentlemen, Jacobs portrayed Chief Kolade.

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The 2009 film is listed among his documented acting credits.

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8. Bent Arrows (2010)

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Jacobs played Mr Johnson in Bent Arrows, released in 2010.

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The film is among the productions that featured the veteran actor during his later career.

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9. Sacred Lies (2011)

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Jacobs portrayed Theodore in Sacred Lies.

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The 2011 production was one of several films in which he took on supporting and character roles during the period.

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10. White Chapel (2011)

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Jacobs appeared as Chief Tonye in White Chapel, another 2011 production listed in his filmography.

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11. Adesuwa (2012)

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Jacobs played Ezomo in Adesuwa, a historical Nigerian drama directed by Lancelot Imasuen.

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The film is set against the history and culture of the Benin Kingdom and centres on the story of a young woman whose life becomes connected to the political and social structures of the kingdom.

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12. Potomanto (2013)

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In Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s Potomanto, Jacobs played Bankole.

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The Ghanaian-Nigerian thriller follows an investigation that uncovers a network involved in organ trafficking. Jacobs appeared alongside Adjetey Anang and Yvonne Okoro.

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Potomanto is listed as a 2013 film in available filmography records.

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13. The Antique (2014)

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Jacobs played Oba Ekpen in The Antique, a Nigerian drama-adventure film.

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The story follows a young woman tasked with recovering a sacred antique from a forbidden land in an attempt to save a royal heir. Jacobs starred alongside Bimbo Akintola, Gabriel Afolayan and Funsho Adeolu.

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14. Bloody Ring (2014)

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Jacobs portrayed Osuma in Bloody Ring, another 2014 production listed among his acting credits.

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15. Oloibiri (2015)

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In Oloibiri, Jacobs played Timipre in a story centred on the impact of oil exploration on communities in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.

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Directed by Curtis Graham, the film featured Richard Mofe-Damijo, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Daniel K. Daniel.

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Available filmography records list Oloibiri as a 2015 film, although some accounts have given 2016 as its release year.

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16. Dry (2015)

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Jacobs played the Speaker in Stephanie Linus’ Dry, a film that explores child marriage and its consequences.

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The film tells the story of young girls affected by child marriage and related health and social challenges.

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17. One Fine Day (2015)

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Jacobs was also part of the cast of One Fine Day, a Nigerian production released in 2015, according to available filmography records.

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18. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017)

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Jacobs played Richard in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, appearing alongside his wife, actress Joke Silva.

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Directed by Ishaya Bako, the romantic comedy follows a Nigerian chef who returns home and becomes involved in efforts to save her family’s struggling hotel.

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The film was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and became one of Jacobs’ later recognised screen appearances.

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19. Victims (2017)

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Jacobs portrayed Baba Deolu in Victims, another 2017 production in his documented filmography.

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20. Unveil (2017)

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Unveil completes the 20-film selection and is also listed among Jacobs’ 2017 acting credits.

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His wider filmography extends far beyond the 20 titles listed here.

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