Olu Jacobs is Alive, Son Dispels Death Rumors
The 81-year-old iconic actor has been battling Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) for several years.
Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs is alive, his family announced Sunday, dispelling rampant social media death rumors and speculations.
Soji, the acting legend’s eldest son, informed Channels Television that his octogenarian father is not dead, contrary to online reports.
Soji shared a video with one of our correspondents showing the iconic actor calmly seated as his grey beard was being shaved. During the activity, the older and frail-looking Jacobs was heard engaging in brief conversation with his barber and those around him.
Rumors of Olu Jacobs’ death, now 81, have circulated several times since November 2021, when his wife, actress Joke Silva, revealed his health struggles. The family has consistently debunked these rumors, sharing videos and photos of their patriarch to counter false reports.
In 2021, Silva, a respected actress and Jacobs’ longtime wife, disclosed that her husband has been battling Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) for several years, explaining his absence from the movie screens.
“He is dealing with issues, and it has been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy bodies. It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and is almost like Parkinson’s. It affects the brain so you don’t see the shaking. It affects the person,” she said in a Channels Television interview.
“It’s been hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on, and it’s also challenging for family members. We have gone through it over the past couple of years, and we thank God.
We have gone through some times and situations recently that I wish I had the old you here so I don’t battle these times on my own, but we are grateful for the moments of clarity. I miss the times we worked together,” she added.
In the same year, the veteran actor, who won a lifetime achievement award at the Africa International Film Festival Awards in Lagos, shared a pale-looking picture of himself on his Instagram handle, attracting a mix of sympathy, best wishes, and prayers from friends and fans.
The legendary actor has also been seen at select social functions, supported by his loving and devoted wife, while fans continue to hope for his recovery.
