Nollywood actor, Charles Olumo ‘Agbako’ dies one year after celebrating 100th birthday

Veteran Nigerian actor, Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as Agbako, has passed away.

Agbako died on Thursday (today), October 31, 2024, at the age of 101.

President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan aka ‘Mr Latin’ announced the actor’s demise via Instagram.

“#tampanglobal announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO,” he wrote.

“Details of the burial arrangements will be shared at a later time. Good night father, 25/02/1923 to 31/10/2024.”

 

Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko also confirmed Agbako’s demise, paying tribute on social media: “Good night, Baba Charles, a.k.a Agbako. (……) wasa ba. R I P.”

Agbako, who celebrated his 100th birthday last year, was famous especially in the Yoruba film industry, with a career that spans over four decades.

In June, the actor spoke about his visits to movie locations despite his age.

Born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun state, the film star once worked as a mechanic and later as an amateur boxer before venturing into acting.

He started his acting career in 1953 in the Apostolic Church, Mushin, in Lagos state and later began to train the drama groups of other churches.

Agbako eventually joined Nollywood and gained prominence for his action and scary persona roles in Yoruba films.

He starred in a plethora of movies such as: ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Jagun’, ‘Amin Orun’, ‘Aiye’, ‘Jayesinmi’, ‘Soworo Ide’, and ‘Igbo Dudu’.