Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66.
The actor’s daughter, Kira Taiwo, confirmed his death during an Instagram Live session on Sunday, August 23, where she was seen grieving over her father’s passing. His colleague and longtime friend, Saheed Balogun, also confirmed the death in a tribute shared on Instagram.
Ogogo’s death comes days after his daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance as the actor battled stage-four cancer.
The family had disclosed on August 17 that the actor’s condition had deteriorated and sought assistance from medical professionals and others who could help explore treatment options. According to Kira, doctors had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition.
The family’s appeal prompted an outpouring of support from colleagues, fans and well-wishers. His close friend and fellow actor, Yinka Quadri, had earlier said hundreds of people reached out with offers of medical, spiritual and other forms of assistance as the family sought possible options for his treatment.
Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State, Hassan began his acting career in 1981 while working at the Lagos State Water Corporation. He later trained with theatre practitioners including Ademola Fabunmi and became involved in Yoruba theatre before transitioning fully into filmmaking.
Hassan worked at the Water Corporation for about 13 years before resigning in 1994 to pursue acting full-time. His early career was rooted in stage productions, before he became one of the prominent faces of the emerging Yoruba-language video film industry.
His breakthrough came with his performance as Owolabi in Tade Ogidan’s Owo Blow, a role that earned him the Best Actor award at the 1997 The Movie Awards (THEMA). He went on to build a career spanning acting, filmmaking and production, becoming a recognised figure in Yoruba-language cinema.
Throughout his career, Ogogo appeared in numerous Yoruba-language productions, including Delicate Cane, Tears of Joy, Idajo Olorun, Legal Wife, Eleran Igbe, Ore Ijiji, Iya Ibeji and Ojo Ogbo. In recent years, he also appeared in Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo, earning renewed attention from a younger generation of Nigerian film audiences.
Beyond acting, Hassan was also a producer, director and screenwriter and was regarded as one of the influential figures in the Yoruba film industry. He was associated with the Odunfa Caucus, a group that played a significant role in the development of Yoruba-language cinema.
News of Ogogo’s death has prompted tributes from colleagues and members of the Nigerian film industry. Balogun, in his tribute, described the actor’s death as painful and prayed for his soul.
The actor’s death also comes less than a week after his family dismissed earlier reports claiming that he had died. At the time, his daughters urged the public to disregard the reports as false while they continued to seek medical assistance for him.
Ogogo is survived by his children and other family members. Details of his burial arrangements are yet to be announced.
