Veteran Nollywood Actor Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan Dies at 66 After Cancer Battle

…Daughter announces passing via emotional Instagram Live session

…Family had recently appealed for medical assistance as actor battled Stage 4 cancer

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66 .

The actor’s daughter, Kira Taiwo, announced his death during an emotional Instagram Live session on Sunday evening, where she was seen crying and repeatedly saying, “My daddy is dead” . The news was also confirmed by the Founder of Best of Nollywood (BON), Seun Oloketuyi, who wrote on social media: “Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is dead. He finally lost the battle of life” .

Ogogo’s health challenges became public earlier in August 2026 when his daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, appealed to medical professionals and well-wishers for urgent assistance, revealing that the 66-year-old actor was battling Stage 4 cancer . According to his daughter, doctors had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered due to his deteriorating condition .

The family had been actively seeking alternative treatment options, including specialised medical procedures and traditional remedies. At one point, Ogogo had obtained an Indian visa for medical treatment but was subsequently declared unfit to fly .

The actor’s illness triggered an outpouring of support from colleagues and fans across the Yoruba movie industry. More than 500 offers of medical, spiritual, and other forms of assistance were reportedly received by the family . Several prominent Yoruba actors and filmmakers also gathered in Lagos on Friday to pray for the actor amid his battle with the disease .

The Ogun State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, was said to have assisted with the actor’s medical bills .

Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State, Taiwo Hassan began his acting career in stage plays in 1981 under the tutelage of Awo Ademola Fagbemi while working as an auto mechanic . In 1994, he resigned from his 13-year job at the Lagos State Water Corporation to focus fully on acting .

He achieved household-name status following his stellar performance in the hit Yoruba movie Owo Blow . Over a career spanning more than four decades, Ogogo built a filmography of more than 300 films, becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema . Among his notable productions are Omo Ghetto, Tenant of the House, Elewon, Omin, and Aníkúlápó, where he played the role of Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Kunle Afolayan’s 2022 Netflix epic .

Beyond acting, Ogogo worked as a producer, director, and screenwriter, running his own production company, Ogogo Films Production, and receiving multiple Best Supporting Actor nominations at the City People Movie Awards .

Following news of his death, colleagues and fans have taken to social media to mourn the veteran actor. Actor and filmmaker Saheed Balogun wrote in an Instagram post: “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” .

Ogogo’s death marks the loss of a veteran whose career stretched across generations of Nigerian cinema, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of Yoruba Nollywood’s most beloved icons.