Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs popularly known as Olu Jacobs is a Nigerian actor, writer and producer. Olu began his professional acting career in the 1970s in England. Olu Jacobs came back to Nigeria in the 1980s and has since then promoted the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.
Today, he is a world class actor with over five decades of professional experience. Altogether, he has featured in over 200 home videos, 100 stage productions and over 30 television productions in Nigeria alone.
Background
Olu Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942 and he hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He was born and brought up in Kano state, Nigeria. He attended Holy Trinity School, Kano. Then, moved on to England to study Theatre Arts in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), London.
Career
Olu Jacobs had always loved to participate in school and church drama activities right from his childhood. But, he was inspired to build a career in acting after attending late Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party held in Kano. The night stage play motivated him and afterwards, he obtained a visa and went to England to advance his acting career.
After studying at the Royal Academy (RADA), Olu Jacobs got himself into acting and started traveling round overseas acting films. He starred in series of television shows like Till Death Us Do Part, The Venturers, Angels, The goodies and many more.
As time went on, he came back to Nigeria to continue his acting career. Basically, Jacobs has starred in series of movies both within and outside the country, and he is one of the prominent actors in Nigeria today.
Personal Life
Jacobs got married to Joke Silva in 1989. Joke Silva is a popular Nollywood actress. They are blessed with children and grandchildren.
The actor celebrated his wife who recently turned 60 years old.
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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
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
Net Worth
As at March 2019, Currentschoolnews.com estimated Jacobs net worth to be $3.5 million. Also, he is one of the richest actors in Nigeria.