The Yoruba film industry has been thrown into mourning after the death of veteran actor and pastor, Taiwo Adeshina, widely known as Elegbeje Ado.
He reportedly died at the age of 66 on Monday, June 29, 2026, after a brief illness.
His death was later confirmed by filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi, leading to an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues across the entertainment space.
Adeshina was a well-known figure in the Yoruba movie scene for more than 20 years.
He built a strong reputation through steady appearances in indigenous films, where he often played kings, chiefs, elders, and other traditional roles.
His ability to speak Yoruba fluently and act in culturally rich stories made him a familiar face in many homes that followed epic and classic Yoruba movies.
The stage name Elegbeje Ado came from one of his early and popular movie roles.
In the later part of his career, he moved more into Christian ministry and gospel filmmaking around 2025.
He continued to combine acting with preaching and later worked on faith-based productions, including a gospel project titled Egberun Odun.
He also spoke in past interviews about challenges in the industry, including pressure to join secret groups and cult but said he refused and remained committed to his Christian faith.
