Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, best known as Olu Jacobs, is a Nigerian actor and film executive. He has appeared in several foreign and British television series. Olu Jacobs is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most well-known African actors of his generation. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon and, along with Pete Edochie, is regarded as one of the most influential African actors of all time by many media outlets, film analysts, critics, and other performers.
Early Life & Education
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, in Egba Alake to Egba Alake-born parents. He spent his childhood in Kano, where he attended Holy Trinity School and participated in debating and theater clubs. He was persuaded to start acting after attending one of Chief Hubert Ogunde’s yearly concert celebrations at Kano’s Colonial Hotel. He then traveled to England to study acting after obtaining a visa. Jacobs pursued his studies at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Career
Olu Jacobs began his acting career in the 1970s, appearing in a number of British television shows such as The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, and The Professionals. In 1978, he played President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s production of Sir Tom Stoppard’s play Night and Day.
During the 1980s, Jacobs appeared in a number of international films, including The Dogs of War by John Irvin, Pirates by Roman Polanski, and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, a family adventure picture. On TVS, he was a cast member in The Witches and the Grinnygog. Olu Jacobs is well-known in Nollywood as a godfather. He paved the way for many aspiring actors and actresses to succeed. “one of Nollywood’s finest actors, best role interpreter, and best word manipulator,” he has been described.
Jacobs has made a name for himself in Nigeria’s Nollywood film business. Because of his more than 40 years of performing expertise, he is recognized as a bridge between the old and new generations of actors. Since then, Jacobs has appeared in over 120 Nollywood films. He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s best Nollywood actors.
Personal Life
Olu Jacobs’ wife is seasoned actress Joke Silva. The Lufodo Group, a media company that includes the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, film production, and distribution assets, was founded and is run by the couple. The couple has three children.
Controversy
Despite the rumor that he died in 2021, Olu Jacob attended Afriff in November 2021 and got the Lifetime Achievement Award. Later, in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, his wife Joke Silva revealed that he had dementia with a Lewy body.
Filmography
Year Film
- 2017 The Royal Hibiscus Hotel
- 2015 Oloibiri
- 2014 Dry
- 2013 Potomanto
- 2012 Adesuwa
- 1986 Pirates
- 1985 Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend
- 1980 The Dogs of War
- 1979 Ashanti
Television Shows
Year Program
- 1990 The Third Eye
- 1984 Play for Today
- 1983 The Witches and the Grinnygog
- 1983 Rumpole of the Bailey
- 1982 Squadron
- 1979 The Professionals
- 1978 1990
- 1976 Angels
- 1975 The Venturers
- 1975 The Tomorrow People
- 1975 Barlow at Large
- 1974 Till Death Us Do Part
- 1971 The Goodies
Stage Plays
Year Show
- 1978 Night and Day
- 1977 Julius Caesar
- 1977 Old Movies
- 1976 Bar Beach Prelude and Transistor Radio
- 1976 A Kind of Marriage
- 1974 Black Mans Country
- 1972 Richard’s Cork Leg
- 1971 Murderous Angels
Awards
Olu Jacobs was honoured with the prestigious Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In August 2022, he was presented an icon award and a membership certificate along with is wife by Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS)
Net Worth
Olu Jacob has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million.