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Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66 after battling cancer.
The respected Yoruba actor passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, during a live video in which she tearfully announced that her father was dead.
The news came just days after the family had rejected an earlier report claiming that the actor had died.
As tributes continue to pour in, here are 10 things to know about the late actor and his remarkable career.
He was born in Ilaro, Ogun State
Taiwo Hassan was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State.
He spent part of his early life in the town before relocating to Lagos. It was in Lagos that he developed himself, learnt a trade and eventually found his place in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Ogogo became his identity
Although his birth name was Taiwo Hassan, the actor became widely recognised by his nickname, Ogogo. The name became almost inseparable from his public image and acting career.
For generations of Yoruba movie lovers, Ogogo was a familiar face whose roles often reflected traditional values, family struggles, leadership and social issues.
He was once an automobile mechanic
Long before becoming a household name in Nollywood, Hassan trained as an automobile mechanic.
He later secured employment with the Lagos State Water Corporation, where he reportedly worked for several years.
His early career showed that his path to fame was gradual.
He maintained his government job while developing his passion and experience in acting.
His acting journey began in 1981
Ogogo entered the acting profession in 1981. At the time, he was still working outside the entertainment industry, but he continued to gain practical experience through theatre and stage productions.
Over the following decades, he established himself as one of the prominent figures in Yoruba cinema, building a career that lasted more than 40 years.
He resigned from government service in 1994
After years of combining his acting activities with his job at the water corporation, Hassan eventually resigned from government employment in 1994.
The decision gave him the opportunity to concentrate entirely on acting at a time when Nigeria's entertainment industry was experiencing significant growth.
His talent extended beyond acting
Ogogo was not limited to performing in front of the camera.
He also worked as a producer, director and screenwriter.
Through these different roles, he contributed to the development of Yoruba-language cinema and helped tell stories that highlighted Nigerian culture, traditions, relationships and everyday social realities.
He featured in several major productions
Throughout his long career, Ogogo appeared in numerous Yoruba and English-language productions. Some of the projects associated with him include Owo Blow, Agbelebu, Omo Ghetto, Omin, Tenant of the House and Bank Alert.
He also featured in the popular 2022 film Aníkúlápó, where he played Alaafin Ademuyiwa alongside stars including Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Adebayo Salami and Yinka Quadri.
Aníkúlápó connected him with a new generation
While Ogogo had already enjoyed decades of recognition, his role in Aníkúlápó introduced him to an even broader audience, particularly younger viewers.
The Kunle Afolayan-directed production became a major Nigerian film and received significant attention.
Ogogo's performance also earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
He spoke openly about family and fatherhood
Hassan once revealed an unusual part of his family history, saying that his mother had given birth to four sets of twins and that he was her only surviving child.
The actor also frequently spoke about the responsibilities that come with fatherhood.
He maintained that parents, particularly fathers, should not abandon their responsibilities towards their children.
His illness sparked concern among fans
In the final days of his life, Ogogo's daughters, Kira and Haleemah, publicly disclosed that their father was suffering from stage-four cancer.
They appealed to medical professionals, hospitals and people with useful information about treatment options to assist the family. The sisters clarified that their appeal was primarily for medical help rather than financial donations.
As concern over his condition grew, members of the Nollywood community organised a special prayer session for the veteran actor.
Taiwo Hassan's death marks the end of an important chapter in Yoruba cinema.
From his early days as a mechanic and government worker to becoming one of the industry's respected veterans, Ogogo built a legacy that stretched across generations. His contribution to Nigerian film, particularly Yoruba storytelling, will remain part of the country's entertainment history.
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