10 historic movies featuring late veteran actor Olu Jacobs

Olu Jacobs’ acting career stretched from British theatre and international cinema to the rise of modern Nollywood, making him one of the Nigerian actors whose work reached audiences far beyond the country.

Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

Following news of his death, attention has returned to the body of work he accumulated over more than five decades. His filmography included international productions, historical dramas, social-issue films, thrillers and romantic comedies.

Before becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and worked in British theatre and television.

His early screen appearances included roles in major international productions during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Here are 10 films that reflect the different phases of his career.

A career that began internationally

Ashanti — 1979

Jacobs’ screen credits go back to the late 1970s, when he appeared in Ashanti.

The international adventure drama featured major stars such as Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov and Kabir Bedi. Jacobs played Commissioner Batak.

The film represents one of the earliest points in his recorded screen career, coming before the Nigerian film industry would eventually become the centre of his work.

The Dogs of War — 1980

A year later, Jacobs appeared in The Dogs of War, an adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel.

The John Irvin-directed film starred Christopher Walken and followed a group of mercenaries involved in a military mission in an unnamed African country.

Jacobs played a Customs Officer, adding another international production to his growing résumé.

Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend — 1985

Jacobs’ international film work continued into the 1980s with Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend.

He played Colonel Nsogbu in the adventure movie, which was produced by Touchstone Pictures.

The story revolves around researchers who encounter an undiscovered dinosaur species during an expedition in Africa, with Jacobs appearing among the film’s international cast.

Pirates — 1986

Jacobs also featured in Roman Polanski’s Pirates, released in 1986.

He portrayed Boomako in the adventure comedy, which starred Walter Matthau as Captain Red.

The role was another addition to the actor’s international credits during a period when he was building experience across theatre, television and film.

Jacobs in Nigerian and African cinema

Adesuwa — 2012

Decades after his early international appearances, Jacobs became part of the historical drama Adesuwa.

He played Ezomo in the Lancelot Imasuen-directed production, which draws on the history and traditional setting of the Benin Kingdom.

The film centres on a young woman whose story becomes intertwined with the political and social structures of the kingdom.

Adesuwa received several nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and won three awards, including Best Nigerian Film.

Potomanto — 2013

Jacobs took on the role of Bankole in Potomanto, a Ghanaian-Nigerian thriller directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso.

The film follows an investigation that uncovers a criminal operation connected to organ trafficking.

Jacobs shared the cast with actors including Adjetey Anang and Yvonne Okoro. The movie premiered in Ghana in December 2013.

The Antique — 2014

In The Antique, Jacobs stepped into a royal character, playing Oba Akpen.

The 2014 Nigerian drama-adventure follows a young woman sent to retrieve a sacred antique from a forbidden location, with the mission tied to the survival of a royal heir.

Directed by Darasen Richards and DJ Tee, the film also starred Bimbo Akintola, Gabriel Afolayan and Funsho Adeolu.

Later roles that addressed social and political themes

Dry — 2015

Jacobs appeared in Stephanie Linus’ Dry, a film centred on the consequences of child marriage.

He played a Speaker in the production, which follows young girls affected by child marriage and examines some of the health and social problems surrounding the practice.

Released in 2015, the film later won Best Overall Movie (Africa) at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Oloibiri — 2016

The subject shifted to Nigeria’s oil-producing region in Oloibiri, where Jacobs played Timipre.

Directed by Curtis Graham, the film examines the consequences of oil exploration on communities in the Niger Delta through a fictionalised story linked to Oloibiri.

Richard Mofe-Damijo, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Daniel K. Daniel were among the other actors in the film, which premiered in Lagos in October 2016.

One of his later notable appearances

The Royal Hibiscus Hotel — 2017

Jacobs appeared as Richard in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, a romantic comedy directed by Ishaya Bako.

The film follows a Nigerian chef who returns home and becomes involved with her family’s struggling hotel.

Jacobs appeared alongside his wife, actress Joke Silva, as well as Zainab Balogun and Kenneth Okolie.

The production was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and became another significant entry in Jacobs’ later film career.

Across these productions, Jacobs moved between international adventure films, historical Nigerian stories, social dramas, thrillers and romantic comedies.

His career therefore cannot be defined by a single genre or period. From his early international appearances to his decades of work in Nigerian cinema, he established a filmography that reflected the breadth of his acting career.