On October 31, 1959, Taiwo Babatunde Hassan was born in IIlaro, Ogun State. He was a Nigerian actor, screenwriter, producer, and director who was well-known for his work in the Yoruba-language film industry. He was commonly referred to as Ogogo.
Hassan had a twin brother, and his family has a history of twins. His father and grandfather were identical twins.
Christ Church School in Ilaro was where he finished his elementary schooling. Due to a financial issue, he was unable to complete his secondary education at Gazikia College in Lagos. After attending a technical college, he spent roughly 13 years working as an auto mechanic for the Water Corporation.
In 1981, he started his acting career while working as an auto mechanic. He later combined his career and passion for acting for roughly 13 years at the Lagos Water Corporation. In 1994, he quit the water company to focus on acting. His choice was made at a time when Nigeria’s home video market was expanding. As an actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, he was especially linked to Yoruba-language film. He appeared in over 300 Yoruba-language films during the course of his more than 40-year career. Agbelebu, Dr Brown, Ekun-Ayo, Owo Blow, Omo Ghetto, Omin, Tenant of the House, Bank Alert, and Aníkú Ápó are some of his film credits.
He starred in Tade Ogidan’s 1996 film Owo Blow. He won the 1997 The Movie Award (THEMA 97) for Best Actor of the Year for his role in the movie.
He played Alaafin Ademuyiwa in the 2022 film Aníkúõpó. For his role in the movie, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. Throughout the 2020s, Hassan continued to work in the Nigerian film industry. His subsequent credits include Amerah, Bank Alert, and Aníkúõpó: Rise of the Spectre.
After fighting cancer, Hassan passed away on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66. On the same day, his daughter confirmed his passing. Earlier in August 2026, his daughters had made a public appeal for medical support after learning that he had stage IV cancer. His death occurred five days after his family denied earlier reports that he had passed away, calling them untrue. On August 24, 2026, he was laid to rest in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State.
Here are some of his well-known works:
Atitebi (1994)
Agbelebu (1995)
(1995?) Agbo-Odaju
Driver Danfo (1995)
Dr Brown (1995)
Okan Eni Bi (1995)
Windpipe, or Gogongo (1995)
Lucky Star, Irawo Ayo (1995)
Loro Oluwa’s Ede (1996)
Ekun-Ayo (Tears of Joy) (1996) (producer and writer)
(1996) Iyawo Olele (Fancy Wife)
Wole Owolabi in Owo Blow Parts 2 and 3 (1996).
(1997) Adopted Child (Omo Agbato)
Baba No Go Die (1997)
Ojiji Ore.
Omin as Adesina (2008)
Elewon as Yomi in 2009
Omo Ghetto as D.P.O. (2010).
As Faniyi, Aye O (2016)
(2016) Ọjüge ẹyẹ mi (My Joyous Day)
2019 Tenant of the House as Hon. Kasali
Amerah as Alhaji in 2021
As Alaafin Ademuyiwa, Aníkú Göpó (2022)
2023’s Bank Alert as Grandpa
IGE: Olalere, the unlikely oil merchant (2023)
Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre (2024)
He was more than just an actor; he was a legend who elevated acting to a new level. Hassan made a significant contribution to the film industry, and his creations will live on.
About the Author
