Read 10 Things Facts About Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan Ogogo
The Nollywood industry was thrown into mourning on Sunday, following the death of veteran Nollywood actor cum filmmaker, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Ogogo died at the age of 66 after a battle with stage-four cancer, and his death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, during an emotional Instagram Live session.
Below are 10 things about the late thespian.
1. Ogogo was born in Ilaro, Ogun State, had a history of multiple twins in his family and also had a twin brother.
2. Ogogo attended primary school in Ilaro before proceeding to Gazikia College in Lagos, but he was unable to complete his secondary education because of financial difficulties.
He subsequently received technical training and became an automobile mechanic before eventually finding his way into the entertainment industry.
3. He began his acting career in 1981, with his debut stage role as Akiigbe, an ewi chanter, in a stage production at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.
4. After years of working outside the entertainment industry, Ogogo left his job with the Lagos State Water Corporation in 1994 to concentrate fully on acting.
5. One of the biggest milestones in Ogogo’s acting career was his role in the Yoruba film, Owo Blow. The 1996 production became an important work in Nigerian cinema, while Ogogo’s performance as Wole Owolabi helped establish him as a prominent actor.
6. While many people know Ogogo as a popular face in the Yoruba-language films, the late movie star also extended his career into English-language Nigerian productions as he featured in films such as Omo Ghetto, Tenant of the House and Bank Alert, among others.
7. Ogogo’s role as Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Kunle Afolayan’s 2022 Netflix film, Aníkúlápó, introduced him to a new generation.
8. His performance in ‘Aníkúlápó’ earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
9. Beyond acting, Ogogo worked as a producer, director and screenwriter. He contributed to stories rooted in Yoruba culture, family life, leadership, tradition and social responsibility.
10. 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.
