Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ dies at 65

Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ dies at 65

Veteran Nollywood Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan popularly called Ogogo is dead.

He was 66.

Mr Hassan’s death was announced by one of his daughter, Shakirat Taiwo, via a live Instagram session on Sunday.

The actor’s death came days after Ms Taiwo on Monday announced in a video that his father was battling stage four cancer.

She appealed to Nigerians who could help treat her father, either medically or with herbs, to come to the actor’s aid.

The development triggered an outpouring of love from Mr Hassan’s colleagues who took to social media to seek urgent medical intervention for the actor.

On Tuesday, one of the ailing actor’s colleagues, Toyosi Adesanya, said the Ogun State governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, Solomon Adeola, pledged to foot his medical treatment.

Ms Adesanya added that the actor had been admitted for treatment at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, a colleague and veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, said that over 500 people reached out to treat the actor spiritually.

Mr Kosoko, who appreciated the support, however said it was difficult to move the actor away from the hospital where he was receiving medical attention.

On Friday, his colleagues, including Mr Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Antar Laniyan and other individuals in the nation’s film industry, held a prayer session for the actor.

Mr Hassan’s eventual demise came after Ms Taiwo accused some Nigerians of exploiting his father’s death to make money.

The late actor’s remains, according to Mr Kosoko, would be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, Sunday (today) for the laying-in-state on Monday.

The event to burial prayer will be conducted by the Chief Imam of Ilaro by 10:00 a.m., at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion.

The deceased role interpreter, director and producer was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State. The actor’s father and grandfather are reportedly twins.

He attended Christ Church School in Ilaro for his primary education. He however could not complete his secondary school education at Gazikia College, Lagos because of financial constraint.

The actor, who later studied at the Yaba Technical College, Lagos, subsequently worked as an automobile technician at a water corporation for 13 years, before venturing into the film production industry.

He started his acting career in1981 and has starred in several movies which included Olokiki Oru, Atitebi, Agbelebu, Agbo-Odaju, Gogongo, Irawo Ayo, Anikulapo, Bolode Oku, Obinrin Sowanu, Bank Alert, Ewo, Apaadi, Ija Ola and Agbara Ife, among others.

He was a recipient of the City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1997 THEMA Best Actor Award.

The late actor was famous for his quality and action-packed roles in movies. The late actor was a nominee for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for his performance in the movie, Anikulapo.

Colleagues mourns 

Some of the actor’s colleagues on Sunday took to social media to express grief over his death.

One of Nollywood stars, Odunlade Adekola,  wrote on Instagram, “He was a great star till his last day. Good night! Great legendary!”

Also, Wunmi Toriola wrote, “Erin Wo Ha Sir Odigbere. Rest on LegendOju ti owo,” while Regina Chukwu simply said, “I am so broken right now! Death why?”

Besides, Saidi Balogun, posting a picture of the late colleague, said, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'[un. You can rest now my brother Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. May Almighty Allah guide you through Aljannah. This is truly painful.”

On her part, Ayo Adesanya,  stated “God loves you the most ..you will always be the one and only Ogogo in our hearts RIP sir T. That beautiful smile of yours will be missed dearly.”

On her part, Biola Adebayo said, “Haa, Sir T is gone!!! Nollywood has just lost a gem. May your sole rest in perfect peace. You will be greatly missed.”