Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a Nigerian actor 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.
Together with Pete Edochie, he is considered by several media, film commentators, critics, and other actors to be one of the most influential African actors of all time, and is widely regarded as a cultural icon.
Profile summary
Full name: Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs
AKA: Olu Jacobs
Gender: Male
Date of birth: 11 July 1942
Age: 79 year’s old in 2021
Place of birth: Abeokuta Ogun state
Active years: 1970 till date
Nationality: Nigerian
Marital status: Married to Joke Silva
Profession: Acting
Olu Jacobs Biography
Jacobs has made his mark in the Nigeria’s movie industry.
With more than 40 years acting experience under his belt, he is seen as a bridge between the old and new breed of actors.
Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, he worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
In 2007 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Olu Jacobs has distinguished himself as a godfather in Nollywood, paving a successful path for many emerging actors and actresses in the industry.
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 been described as ‘one of Nollywood’s finest actors, best role interpreter and the best manipulator of words’. For his dedication to his acting career spanning over five decades, he was honoured with the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.’
Olu Jacobs Wife
Olu Jacobs is married to veteran actress Joke Silva since 1989. The couple founded and operate the Lufodo Group, a media corporation that consists of film production, distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
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 sort of stuff. When she is working, she is Joke Silva but she is Mrs. Joke Jacobs at home.”
Olu Jacobs Death Rumours
In 2020 there were rumours of Jacobs’ death, however the actress Kemi Lala Akindoju rejected these reports.
Education
Olu Jacobs went to Holy Trinity School, Kano, after which he relocated to England to study Theatre Arts in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), London.
Childhood
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born to parents from Egba Alake. He spent his early childhood in Kano and attended Holy Trinity School where he was a member of the debating and drama societies.
He was inspired to take a chance with acting when he attended one of Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party at Colonial Hotel in Kano. Afterwards, he secured a visa and travelled to England to study acting.
Net Worth
Olu Jacobs reportedly has a net worth of $2 million.
Even at an old age, Olu Jacobs remains relevant in the movie industry and is rated among the very best; although he rarely act in movies now, he has however paid his dues and is considered a successful actor.
