Entertainment
Olu Jacobs: His path to a glorious career that many didn’t know
The Nigerian entertainment industry again was recently hit by the death hoax of veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs. The Nigerian scene who had sadly lost 3 movie stars in the turn of the year surely could not contend with the supposed death of another icon, especially not the personality of Olu Jacobs.
But who is Olu Jacobs?
Widely hailed as one of the greatest and most respected African actors of his generation, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs leaves the earth after making a mark in the world of Nigeria’s cinema and theatre.
Early life
Born to parents from Egba Alake, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs who would later become widely known as Olu Jacobs, spent his early childhood in Kano, Nigeria, where his passion for acting was ignited by attending one of Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert parties.
This pivotal experience inspired him to pursue a career in acting, that will eventually lead him to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
However, before that, Olu Jacobs grew up mostly in Kano, where he attended the Holy Trinity School and played an active role in the debating and drama societies, just like he would come to do in his later life in the Nigerian film industry.
From there, the Nollywood legend saw a path way to England after he secured a visa to hone his craft at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, one of the foremost institutions for acting in the world.
Introduction to stardom
In England, Olu Jacobs quickly made his mark on the stage, with one of his earliest roles being The Boy in “A Taste of Honey” at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1972.
His versatility and talent saw him appear in various British television shows and series throughout the 1970s, including “The Goodies,” “Till Death Us Do Part,” “Barlow at Large,” “The Venturers,” “Angels,” “1990,” “The Tomorrow People,” and “The Professionals.” In 1978, he portrayed President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Sir Tom Stoppard’s play “Night and Day.”
Olu Jacobs’ international venture in film
The 1980s was an era that saw Olu Jacobs triumph his career on the international level where he appeared in 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). His television work during this period included being a cast member in TVS’s “The Witches and the Grinnygog.”
His eventual return to Nigeria
For some, making a career abroad and far from home was all they needed to forget about home, but the Nollywood veteran made the stride home in the 1990s that geared his path to becoming a prominent figure in the Nigerian entertainment scene.
He starred in the NTA detective series “The Third Eye” and subsequently appeared in over 120 Nollywood films with his extensive body of work and ability to bridge the old and new generations of actors earning him widespread acclaim.
Olu Jacobs’ private life and legacy
Olu Jacobs can be regarded as one of the celebrity personalities without any controversy surrounding his personality or marriage; his marital union itself being a celebrity marriage with colleague, Joke Silva.
Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs both tied the knot in 1989, and together are survived by two children.
Despite their individual successes, the two couples built a long lasting partnership in marital union and even founded the Lufodo Group, a media corporation encompassing film production, distribution, and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
Coupled with being a personality of little publicity outside the camera world, Olu Jacobs was the perfect gentleman who allowed his wife, Joke Silva to retain her maiden name to reflect her own identity, individuality and career outside his name.
Olu Jacobs’ honors and awards
Throughout his illustrious career, Jacobs received numerous accolades. In 2013, he was honored with the prestigious Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. In August 2022, he and his wife were presented with an icon award and a membership certificate by the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS).
His death Hoax and eventual demise
In November 2021, Jacobs attended the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), where he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. However, prior to that, rumors had circulated about his supposed death. His appearance would go on to quell rumors.
His wife, Joke Silva later on revealed in an interview that Jacobs was battling Dementia with Lewy bodies, a challenging condition he faced with grace.
Roughly 3-years later on June 30th, 2024 another death hoax came by to shock fans and the entertainment scene again, but this time dispelled by Betty Irabor, founder of Genevieve Magazine.
