Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66 After Cancer Battle

By Adebola Muili

Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66.

The Yoruba film star reportedly died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a battle with stage-four cancer, throwing colleagues, fans and other members of the entertainment industry into mourning.

His daughter, Kira Taiwo, confirmed the development during an emotional social media live session, where she was heard saying, “My daddy is dead.”

The confirmation came barely days after Ogogo’s family disclosed that the actor was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for urgent medical assistance.

His daughters, Kira and Lima, had reportedly sought help from medical professionals and well-wishers as the family explored options for specialised treatment for the veteran actor.

Ogogo’s latest health challenge came after he had previously overcome a prolonged illness. In July 2025, the actor revealed that he had battled chronic ulcer for seven years before eventually recovering from the condition.

The actor, while recounting the ordeal, disclosed that the illness had severely affected his health and that he had at one point vomited blood for several months.

His account of the seven-year battle was widely reported in 2025, when he spoke publicly about how he eventually overcame the condition.

However, there is no established medical evidence linking the earlier ulcer illness to the stage-four cancer that preceded his death.

Ogogo’s death also came shortly after his family dismissed an earlier report claiming that the actor had died.

On August 18, his daughter, Lima, had urged members of the public to disregard the death rumour and continued appeals for medical support for her father.

Born in 1959, Ogogo was one of the notable figures in the Yoruba movie industry, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter.

He was widely recognised for his distinctive acting style and numerous roles in Yoruba-language films, earning a strong following among audiences in Nigeria and beyond.

His death is expected to generate tributes from colleagues, fans and stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry, particularly the Yoruba movie sector.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.