Olu Jacobs at 81: A testament to his enduring legacy

Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, better known by his stage name Olu Jacobs, is a veteran Nollywood actor, producer, television personality and entrepreneur who has won numerous awards both domestically and internationally.

He is regarded as having established the bar for future actors in Nollywood thanks to his significant contributions to the development of the Nigerian movie industry.

Olu Jacobs is a well-known actor who has starred in both national and international movies.

Like Pete Edochie and Sam Loco Efe, the veteran actor has had a distinguished career. He is considered as one of the most admired performers and cultural figures in Africa.

He has a significant influence on how Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment sector as a whole are created.

Celebrating his 81st birthday on Tuesday, July 11, MyNigeria highlights some of the significant achievements he has made to the movie industry as well as providing more details about his personal life.

1. Early life

Olu Jacobs was born on July 11th, 1942 to Egba Alake parents. He is a native of Ogun State, Nigeria.

He grew up in Kano and went to Holy Trinity School, where he participated in the theatrical and debating societies.

2. Acting Career

Olu Jacobs lived most of his youthful life in the United Kingdom before moving to Nigeria. He trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

He worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.

His love for acting was inspired by the late legendary film maker, Hubert Ogunde's annual concert party which held at Colonial Hotel in Kano, thereafter he travelled to England where he studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

He has featured in over 120 movies including; The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, Tears Of A Mad Women, No Peace for the King, Tears of the Innocent among others.

3. Marriage

Olu Jacobs married colleague actress Joke Silva in 1989. The actor and his wife were blessed with three children, Dayo, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs. However, the couple lost their daughter Dayo Jacobs in 1997 so they currently have two sons.

He revealed in an interview that he first encountered the actress after coming back to Nigeria from England to play a lead role in Wole Soyinka's 'The Trials of Brother Jero'.

He continued by expressing how attracted he was to Joke Silva and how on the day they first met, he knew she was the one for him.

As would be expected, a lot of rumors and queries have been made over his wife's name choice. Olu Jacobs, however, has stated on numerous occasions that he is unconcerned with his wife using her maiden name in the entertainment industry.

He felt that Joke's name should not be withheld from her and her audience because of his marriage to her. Massive separation rumors among Nigerians were eventually put to an end because of Jacobs' ongoing defense of his wife over the years.

Olu Jacobs reportedly passed away, prompting a massive hunt for his funeral and burial in 2021; however, he attended Afriff that month and received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Later, in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, his wife Joke Silva made known that the veteran actor was suffering from dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

4. Awards

The African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role was given to Olu Jacobs in 2007.

At the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, he was recognized for his commitment to his acting profession, which has spanned more than five decades, with the Industry Merit Award for excellent achievements in acting.

Additionally, the AMAA gave him one of its Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2016.

Olu Jacobs has unquestionably given his fair share to the Nollywood industry and made it possible for aspiring performers to quickly get into the spotlight by working hard and being persistent.