Nollywood’s iconic actor, Olu Jacobs is alive, despite ongoing rumours of his passing circulating on social media. His family confirmed this on Sunday, with his son Soji informing Channels Television that the octogenarian actor is well and not deceased as falsely claimed online.
In a video shared with a correspondent, Jacobs is depicted calmly seated while getting his grey beard trimmed. During the grooming session, the aged actor can be heard engaging in brief conversations with his barber and those present.
Speculation surrounding Jacobs’ death, who is 81, has surfaced multiple times since November 2021 when his wife and actress, Joke Silva, disclosed his battle with Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The family has consistently debunked these rumours, frequently posting videos and photos of Jacobs to dispel such unfounded claims.
“He is dealing with issues and it has been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy Body. It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a Parkinson’s type of disease, it affects the brain so you don’t see the shaking. It affects the person,
“It’s been hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and also on family members as well. 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 moment of clarity. I miss the times we worked together,” she said in a Channels Television interview.
In a revealing interview with Channels Television back in 2021, Joke shared the challenges her husband has faced due to DLB, a degenerative brain disease similar to Parkinson’s. Despite the difficulties, she expressed gratitude for moments of clarity and reminisced about their shared work experiences.
Despite his health struggles, Jacobs was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the Africa International Film Festival Awards in Lagos. Pictures shared on his Instagram account garnered an outpouring of support, prayers, and well-wishes from his admirers.
While Jacobs has made appearances at select social gatherings with the support of his devoted wife, fans continue to offer hope for his recovery.
