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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Olu Jacobs is a Nigerian actor and film executive. He has acted in a number of foreign and British television series. One of the greatest and most well-known African actors of his generation.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born on the 11th of July, 1942, to Egba Alake-born parents. He spent his early years in Kano where he went to Holy Trinity School and participated in the debating and theatre groups. When he went to one of Chief Hubert Ogunde‘s yearly concert parties at the Colonial Hotel in Kano, he was encouraged to try acting. Then, after getting a visa, he set off for England to pursue acting. Jacobs continued his studies in England at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
In the 1970s, Olu Jacobs started his acting career when he made an appearance in a number of British television programs, including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, and The Professionals. He appeared in Sir Tom Stoppard‘s play Night and Day in 1978 as President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s production.
Jacobs made appearances in numerous foreign films during the 1980s, including The Dogs of War by John Irvin, Pirates by Roman Polanski, and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, a family adventure movie. He appeared as a cast member in The Witches and the Grinnygog on TVS. Olu Jacobs has distinguished himself in Nollywood as a godfather. He laid the foundation for many upcoming actors and actresses to succeed. As “one of Nollywood’s finest actors, best role interpreter, and best word manipulator”.
In Nigeria’s Nollywood movie industry, Jacobs has established himself. He is regarded as a link between the old and new generations of actors due to his more than 40 years of acting experience. Jacobs has since appeared in more than 120 Nollywood movies. He is regarded as one of the best Nollywood actors from Nigeria.
Olu Jacobs and Wife, Joke Silva at AMVCA event
Jacobs is married to Nollywood actress Joke Silva since 1989. They have children.
Asked why his wife still bears her maiden name, Jacobs answered: “She is her own individual. When I met her, she was an actress known as Joke Silva so why should marrying me now deny her and her audience her name. She is Miss Joke Silva who is Mrs Joke Jacobs. It is as simple as that. People now begin to say what they like. They have even written that we are separated and all sorts of stuff. When she is working, she is Joke Silva but she is Mrs Joke Jacobs at home.
Rumour had it that Olu Jacob died in 2021, but he attended Afriff in November 2021, where he won the Lifetime Achievement Award. His wife Joke Silva later revealed his health condition in an interview with Chude Jideonwo that he is battling dementia with a Lewy body.
Olu Jacob attended Afriff in November 2021 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award there, despite the rumour that he passed away in 2021. Later, in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, his wife Joke Silva made known that he was suffering from dementia with a Lewy body.
Olu Jacob and Joke Silva at Afriff in November 2021
Year Film
Year Program
Year Show
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Prize | Event | Result |
| 2016 | Lifetime Achievement Awards | Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) | Won |
| 2013 | Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting | Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) | Won |
| 2007 | Best Actor in a Leading Role | African Movie Academy Award | Won |
Net Worth
Olu Jacob has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million.
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