Family members and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) debunked the death rumour of legendary Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs on Sunday.
Rumours of the passing of legendary Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs began circulating on the internet. This came as a shock to many fans, with blogs and several media websites spreading the false news.
Emeka Rollas, the President of the AGN, firmly described the death rumours as “false news.” He assured the public that the actor was still alive.
READ ALSO: Joke Silva Opens Up About Husband Olu Jacobs’ Dementia
A video surfaced of the 82-year-old actor getting his hair cut, being shocked by the news of his “death.”
Additionally, this is not the first time Jacobs, who has been publicly battling dementia with Lewy body, has been the subject of such death rumours.
Similar claims surfaced in 2021 and 2022, which were debunked by his wife, actress Joke Silva.
What Joke Silva has to say
In a television interview, Silva opened up about her husband’s health struggles, describing the “degenerative disease that affects the brain” as “almost like a Parkinson’s type of disease.”
She acknowledged the difficulty the family has faced, stating, “It’s been hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and also on family members as well.”
Despite the challenging circumstances, Silva expressed gratitude for the “moments of clarity” they have shared, saying, “I miss the times we worked together.
The Jacobs family has repeatedly appealed to the public to refrain from circulating false claims. They have also threatened legal action against those who continue to do so.
The emotional toll of the illness
In an emotional interview with Nancy Isime, Joke Silva spoke openly about the challenges they faced. She described it as “almost as if the person you married 80 percent of the time is no longer there.”
Despite the hardship, Silva never wavered in her love and admiration for Jacobs, praising him as an “amazing man,” a “father,” and a “best friend.”
