Kate Henshaw Olu Jacobs tribute has added to the wave of grief in Nollywood after veteran actor Olu Jacobs died at 84 on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The actress remembered the screen icon and sent prayers to his family.
LAGOS — Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has paid an emotional tribute to veteran actor Olu Jacobs following his death at the age of 84, remembering him as a great actor whose talent touched generations and praying for comfort for his wife, Joke Silva, and their family.
According to Henshaw’s tribute shared on social media on Wednesday, she celebrated Jacobs for the life he lived and the talent he gave to the world. She described him warmly as “a great one” and addressed him as Uncle Olu while offering prayers for his family.
In her message, Henshaw also reflected on her personal connection with the late actor. She said she was grateful to have shared cherished moments with him and noted that she had learnt from him during her time in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
ADIEU TO A GREAT ONE!!
— Kate Amaka Henshaw (@HenshawKate) September 16, 2026
You lived and shared your gift with the world.
Rest well Uncle Olu Jacobs🙏🏽🕊
May God comfort my darling Aunty J, Soji, Gbenga & the rest of the family in Jesus name..
The actress also directed her prayers towards Silva and the couple’s children, Soji and Gbenga. Her tribute came as several actors, filmmakers and other Nigerians turned to social media to mourn Jacobs, whose career stretched across theatre, television and film for more than five decades.
Jacobs’ family announced his death on Wednesday through his son, Olusoji Jacobs. In the statement, the family described him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and asked bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy during the mourning period.
The announcement ended years of false reports about Jacobs’ death that had circulated online. According to QED, previous reports had repeatedly prompted the family to clarify that the actor was still alive before his actual passing was announced by his family on September 16, 2026.
Meanwhile, Henshaw was not the only Nollywood personality to honour the late actor. Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, remembered Jacobs as a major influence on those who followed him, while Funke Akindele praised his support for younger talents and extended condolences to Silva and the wider Jacobs family.
RMD described Jacobs as a man whose talent, discipline and commitment helped shape Nigerian theatre and film. He also recalled the personal influence Jacobs had on his generation, saying the veteran had helped make the path easier for actors who came after him.
Other actors, including Ego Boyo, Jide Kosoko, Alex Usifo and Kemi Lala Akindoju, also paid tribute. Their messages highlighted different sides of Jacobs’ career and personality, from his commanding presence on screen to his warmth, mentorship and influence on younger performers.
Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He later worked in British theatre and television before returning to Nigeria, where he became one of the most recognisable figures in the country’s growing film and entertainment industry.
His career included appearances in international productions before his emergence as one of the defining actors of Nigerian cinema. Alongside Silva, whom he married in 1989, Jacobs also co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, extending his contribution beyond acting into production and training.
Jacobs received several honours during his career, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He also received Nigeria’s national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011.
For Henshaw and many others in Nollywood, the mourning has therefore extended beyond the loss of a familiar face on television and film. The tributes point to an actor whose work, mentorship and long career influenced several generations of Nigerian performers and helped shape the country’s modern entertainment industry.
As at the time of filing this report, the Jacobs family had not announced funeral arrangements. Meanwhile, tributes from colleagues and admirers continue to emerge following the family’s confirmation of his death, with Henshaw among those remembering the veteran actor and praying for comfort for those he left behind.
