15 things to know about late Nollywood actor Ogogo
Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, amid mourning by his family, fans and colleagues, Punch Newspapers reported.
He died at the age of 66 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
His daughter, Kira Taiwo, confirmed the news in an emotional live video, repeatedly saying, “My daddy is dead.”
The confirmation came five days after the family dismissed earlier reports of his death as false.
Here are 15 things to know about the late actor and his films:
1. He was born in Ogun State
Taiwo Hassan was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State.
He spent his early years there before moving to Lagos, where he pursued his education, learnt a trade and later built his acting career.
2. Ogogo became more popular than his real name
While his real name was Taiwo Hassan, he was widely known in many households as Ogogo.
The screen name became inseparable from his identity and evoked memories of family dramas, traditional stories and moral conflicts in Yoruba films.
3. He worked as an automobile mechanic
Before taking up acting full-time, Hassan trained and worked as an automobile mechanic.
He also spent about 13 years at the Lagos State Water Corporation, combining his government job with acting for several years.
4. He began acting in 1981
Ogogo started his acting career in 1981 while still working as a mechanic. He learnt through practical theatre experience and gradually became a fixture in the growing Yoruba film industry. His career spanned more than four decades.
5. He left his government job in 1994
After years of balancing both roles, Hassan resigned from the water corporation in 1994 to focus fully on acting.
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The move coincided with the rising popularity of home videos across Nigeria.
6. He was more than an actor
Beyond performing, Ogogo worked as a producer, director and screenwriter. He contributed to stories rooted in Yoruba culture, family life, leadership, tradition and social responsibility.
7. He featured in several memorable productions
Notable films include Owo Blow, Agbelebu, Omo Ghetto, Omin, Tenant of the House, Bank Alert and Aníkúlápó.
8. His early film work included writing and producing
In the mid-1990s, he appeared in and contributed behind the camera to titles such as Agbelebu (1995), Dr Brown (1995, also as writer), Ekun-Ayo (Tears of Joy) (1996, also as writer and producer), and Owo Blow Parts 2 and 3 (1996), in which he played Wole Owolabi.
9. He played a range of authoritative and dramatic roles
Across decades, he portrayed characters including Adesina in Omin (2008), Yomi in Elewon (2009), a D.P.O. in Omo Ghetto (2010), Hon. Kasali in Tenant of the House (2019), Alhaji in Amerah (2021), and Grandpa in Bank Alert (2023).
10. He continued working into the 2020s
Later credits include IGE – The Unlikely Oil Merchant (2023), in which he played Olalere, and a return as Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre (2024).
11. ‘Aníkúlápó’ introduced him to a new generation
His role as Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Kunle Afolayan’s 2022 Netflix film, Aníkúlápó, brought him before a younger and wider audience. The production became one of the most discussed Nigerian films of that year.
12. He earned an award nomination for ‘Aníkúlápó’
His performance in the film earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. The movie itself received multiple nominations.
13. He came from a family with a history of twins
Hassan once disclosed that his mother gave birth to four sets of twins and that he was the only surviving child.
He also spoke strongly about fatherhood and parental responsibility, insisting that men could not permanently escape their duties to their children.
14. His final days drew public concern and industry support
Days before his death, daughters Kira and Haleemah revealed that he was battling stage-four cancer. They sought medical assistance rather than financial donations. Several Nollywood colleagues held a special prayer session for him as his condition worsened.
15. His career spanned generations of Yoruba cinema
From the stage and early home-video era to contemporary streaming productions, Ogogo built a career spanning more than four decades and appeared in family dramas, traditional stories and films centred on social and moral themes.
