Olu Jacobs Biography
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs (born 11 July 1942), popularly known as Olu Jacobs, is a renowned Nigerian actor, businessman, and film executive.
He has starred in several British television series and international films. Olu Jacobs has been hailed by many as one of the greatest and most widely respected African actors of his generation.
With Pete Edochie, he is considered by several media, film commentators, critics, and other actors to be one of the most influential African actors. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon. He is seen as the bridge between the old Actors and the new ones.
Olu Jacobs has made his mark in Nigeria’s movie industry. With more than 40 years of acting experience, he is seen as a bridge between actors’ old and new breeds. Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, he worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
| Biography of Olu Jacobs | |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs |
| Stage Name: | Olu Jacobs |
| Born: | 11 July 1942 (age 82 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria |
| State Of Origin: | Ogun State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Height: | 1,61 m |
| Parents: | Mr and Mrs Jacobs |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| Wife • Spouse: | Joke Silva (m. 1989) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | N/A |
| Children: | Olusoji Jacobs, Olugbenga Jacobs, Dayo Jacobs |
| Occupation: | Actor • TV Personality |
| Net Worth: | US$4.5 million |
Early Life & Education
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born on the 11th of July, 1942 to the family of Mr and Mrs Jacobs, his parents are from Egba Alake. Olu Jacobs hails from Ogun State, Nigeria.
He spent his early childhood in Kano and attended Holy Trinity School, where he was a member of the debating and drama societies.
Olu Jacobs was inspired to take a chance with acting when he attended one of Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert parties at Colonial Hotel in Kano.
Afterwards, he secured a visa and travelled to England to study acting. He trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London in England.
Olu Jacobs Age
Olu Jacobs is 82 years old, in 2024. He was born on July 11th 1942.
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 then starred in various British television shows and series in the 1970s, namely, The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals. In 1978, he played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Tom Stoppard’s play Night and Day.
In the 1980s, he starred in several international films, including John Irvin’s war film The Dogs of War, Roman Polanski’s adventure-comedy Pirates (1986), and the family-adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985).
On television, he was a cast in TVS’s The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983 series). Olu Jacobs has starred in over 120 Nollywood films and is considered one of the top Nigerian Nollywood actors.
Movies
Olu Jacob has starred in numerous films. Some of them include;
- The Professionals, 1977
- The Dogs of War, 1980
- Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, 1985
- Pirates, 1986
- Vigilante, 1988
- Iva, 1993
- Onome, 1996
- Aba Riot 1&2, 1999
- The Last Vote, 2001
- Obstacles, 1998
- Dear Sister, 2004
- Eye of the God’s, 2004
- To Love a Stranger, 2005
- Eagle’s Bride, 2005
- Omaliko 1&2 2005
- Dancing Heart, 2006
- Jealous Heart 1&2, 2006
- Before the Sunrise 1&2, 2005
- 21 Days with Christ 1&2, 2005
- Kingdom Apart, 1&2, 2007
- Hidden Treasure, 2008
- Beauty & the Beast 1-3, 2008
- League of Gentlemen 1&2, 2009
- Sacred Lies, 1-4, 2011
- A Better Tomorrow, 1&2, 2011
- Heroes and Zeros, 2012
- Adesuwa, 2012
- Potomanto, 2013
- Dry, 2014
- The Antique, 2014
- Bloody Ring, 2014
- Oloibiri, 2015
- Unviel, 2017
- The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, 2017
Personal Life
Olu Jacobs has been married to Nollywood actress Joke Silva since 1989. They have children, namely Olusoji Jacobs, Olugbenga Jacobs, and Dayo Jacobs.
When asked why his wife still bears her maiden name, Olu Jacobs answered: “She is her 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.”
His wife Joke Silva later revealed his health condition in an interview with Chude Jideonwo that he is battling Dementia with Lewy body.
Is Olu Jacobs Dead?
Veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs is dead. The actor died on Sunday, June 30, at the age of 82.
Recall that Jacobs, a multiple award-winning actor, has been battling dementia for some time.
In a recent interview, his wife Joke Silva said her husband’s poor health had changed him significantly, adding that Olu Jacobs is no longer the man she walked down the aisle with 37 years ago.
“It hasn’t been easy. There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality. It is like the person I married, 80 per cent of the time, is no longer there,” she said.
“But the thing is this: when he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband. He was practically my best friend.”
Silva said despite her husband’s health challenge, she has not stopped loving him.
“The husband I knew is no longer there for me. This man that is here is someone I still love, but love in a different way,” she said.
Olu Jacobs Still Alive
Rumour had it that Olu Jacobs died today, Sunday 30th 2024, there was a wide search for his funeral and burial in 2024, reacting to the viral Olu Jacobs news, Popular Nigerian Blogger and Influencer, Tunde Ednut said the news about Olu Jacobs death is fake.
Taking to his official Instagram page, Tunde Ednut posted; “This is why I don’t rush to announce sad news. I wait to be the last to post such news no matter what. PLEASE, DISREGARD THAT FALSE NEWS! He is alive.”
See the post below
Awards and Recognition
Olu Jacobs is a multi-award winner. He has received awards both within and outside the country for his professional achievements. Some of them include;
- Best Actor in a Lead Role, ‘Dancing Heart’ African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), 2007
- National Honours of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), President Goodluck Jonathan, 2011
- Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting, Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, 2013
- City People Movie, Life Time Achievement Award, 2015
- Lifetime Achievement Awards along with his wife, Joke, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), 2016
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role, ‘Oloibiri’ African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), 2017
Olu Jacobs Net Worth
Olu Jacobs’ net worth has grown significantly. His net worth is currently estimated to be in the range of approximately US$4.5 million.
Social Media
- Instagram: @_olujacobs
Frequently Asked Questions about Olu Jacobs Biography
Q. Who Is Olu Jacobs?
A. Olu Jacobs whose real name is Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs is a renowned Nigerian actor, businessman, and film executive.
He has starred in several British television series and international films. Olu Jacobs has been hailed by many as one of the greatest and most widely respected African actors of his generation.
Q. Is Olu Jacobs Still Alive Today?
A. According to multiple reports, Veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs is dead. The actor died on Sunday, June 30, at the age of 82. Recall that Jacobs, a multiple award-winning actor, has been battling dementia for some time.
Q. Olu Jacob Age?
A. Olu Jacobs is 82 years old, in 2024. He was born on July 11th 1942.
Q. Olu Jacobs Children?
A. Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva children are; Olusoji Jacobs, Olugbenga Jacobs, and Dayo Jacobs.
Q. Olu Jacob Wife?
A. Olu Jacobs has been married to his beautiful wife, a Nollywood actress Joke Silva since 1989. They have children, namely Olusoji Jacobs, Olugbenga Jacobs, and Dayo Jacobs.
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