Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, passed away on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer. His remarkable journey from a small town in Ogun State to becoming one of the pillars of Yoruba cinema continues to inspire.
Here are 10 things to know about the late icon:
Early Life: Taiwo Hassan was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State. He spent his formative years in the town before moving to Lagos in search of better opportunities.
Family Background: He came from a family with a strong history of twins. His mother gave birth to four sets of twins, and he was the only surviving child.
Education: Ogogo attended primary school in Ilaro and Gazikia College in Lagos. Financial difficulties forced him to abandon secondary education before completion.
Early Career Outside Acting: He trained and worked as an automobile mechanic. He later joined the Lagos State Water Corporation, where he spent about 13 years combining his government job with part-time acting.
Acting Debut: He began his acting career in 1981 with a stage role as an ewi chanter named Akiigbe in a production at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.
Full-Time Leap: In 1994, he resigned from the Lagos State Water Corporation to focus completely on acting just as the home-video boom transformed Nollywood.
Breakthrough Role: His major breakthrough came in 1996 when he played Wole Owolabi in the hit film Owo Blow. The performance earned him the Best Actor award at THEMA in 1997.
Versatile Career: Beyond acting, Ogogo worked as a producer, director and screenwriter. He appeared in more than 300 films spanning family dramas, traditional stories and moral tales.
Recent Highlight: He played Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Kunle Afolayan’s 2022 Netflix epic Aníkúlápó. The role introduced him to a new generation and earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Final Battle and Legacy: In his last months, Ogogo fought stage-four cancer. His daughters publicly appealed for medical help. He died on August 23, 2026, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the biggest talents Yoruba cinema ever produced.
From the workshop floor to the big screen, Ogogo’s story remains a powerful reminder that talent and persistence can rewrite any beginning.