While Nigeria mourns the legendary Olu Jacobs, full name, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, following his death on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84, attention has returned to the body of work he accumulated over more than five decades, spanning international productions, historical dramas, social-issue films, thrillers and romantic comedies.

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.

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

His screen career took off internationally, with notable roles in major productions during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Here are four international films he starred in:

Ashanti (1979)

Jacobs' screen credits date back to the late 1970s, when he appeared in Ashanti, an international adventure drama featuring major stars such as Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov and Kabir Bedi. He played Commissioner Batak, marking one of the earliest points in his recorded screen career, well before Nigeria's film industry became 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 directed by John Irvin.

The 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 credit to his growing résumé.

Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)

Jacobs' international work continued into the 1980s with this Touchstone Pictures adventure film, in which he played Colonel Nsogbu.

The story follows 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, portraying Boomako in the adventure comedy that starred Walter Matthau as Captain Red. The role added to a growing catalogue of international credits during a period in which he was building experience across theatre, television and film.


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