The death of Patrick Okoye, the actor, popularly known for playing elder and traditional ruler roles in movies, has been announced in a post shared on his Instagram page.

The post featured his photograph with the brief message, “Rest in peace, legend.”

Actor Ken Erics also confirmed the development in a statement posted on his Instagram page on Friday, expressing shock over the actor’s death.

Erics said he spoke with the late actor less than 24 hours before his passing and described him as healthy at the time of their conversation.

“This one hits hard because we spoke barely 24 hours before your demise, and you were hale and hearty,” he wrote.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Patrick Okoye was a professor and lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State.

Beyond acting, he was also known as a singer, choreographer and mentor who contributed to the development of several entertainers in the Nigerian film industry.

Erics described the late actor as a major influence in his career, noting that Okoye encouraged him to study Theatre Arts and supported his growth in acting and performance during his university days.

According to him, the late actor played a key role in nurturing young talents, helping many students pursue careers in entertainment.

He added that Okoye was known for his energy during rehearsals, his dance skills and his passion for music and stage performances.

The late actor appeared in several Nollywood productions, including “Midnight Love,” “Old School,” “Finding a Wife,” “The Lion,” “The Jagaban,” and “Over My Dead Body.”

He also featured alongside actors such as Patience Ozokwor, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, Rita Arum and Yul Edochie.

Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues and admirers within the entertainment industry, many describing his death as a significant loss to Nollywood and the academic community.