By Emmanuel Adeleke
Veteran Nollywood actor, Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, popularly known as Agbako, has passed away.
Agbako, it was learnt, died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 101.
The President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, aka Mr Latin, announced the actor’s demise via a post on his Instagram page.
“#tampanglobal announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO.
“Details of the burial arrangements will be shared at a later time. Good night father, 25/02/1923 to 31/10/2024,” he wrote.
Also, Jide Kosoko confirmed Agbako’s demise, paying tribute on his Instagram page.
Agbako, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2023, was famous in the Yoruba film industry, with a career that spans over six decades.
In June, the actor spoke about his visits to movie locations despite his age.
Born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he worked as a mechanic and later as an amateur boxer before venturing into acting.
He started his acting career in 1953 at Apostolic Church, Mushin, Lagos, and later trained 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, Saworo Ide, Igbo dudu among others.