Rumours of the death of enowned Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, emerged online earlier today. His wife, Joke Sylva has now confirmed them to be untrue.
Joke Sylva dispelled the rumours in a chat with TheNEWS and PMNEWS this evening, saying “her husband is alive and doing just fine.”
The actor, who has been battling dementia for some time, has a remarkable legacy of iconic performances in British television series and international films.
His death rumours emerged on the online news platform Politics Nigeria and has remained on the number one trending spot on the microblogging platform X.
Jacobs who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most respected African actors of his generation, and was often referred to as a bridge between the old and new generations of actors, is said to be very much alive.
According to his wife, Joke Silva, who has been by his side for 37 years, Jacobs’ poor health had significantly changed him. She described how her husband’s condition had affected their relationship, saying that “80 per cent of the time, the person I married is no longer there.” However, she emphasized that despite this change, she still loves and cherishes the memories they shared together.
Silva’s words reflect the complex emotions that come with loving someone who is struggling with dementia. While Jacobs may no longer be the same person she married all those years ago, her love for him remains unwavering.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jacobs won numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding performances. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actors and filmmakers.
