The latest biography of a veteran Nigerian actor, Olu Jacob and the view of his net worth as well. His talent for acting began when he was a student at Holy Trinity School where he was a member of the debating and drama society.
Olu Jacob Biography
Born on July 11, 1942, with the full name Olu-dotun Balyewu Jacob in Ogun state to parents from Egba Alake, he almost spent all his life in Kano as a professional actor. He is well-known as Olu Jacob. The veteran actor attended Holy Trinity School, where his career began as a member of the debating and drama societies.
Jacob was first moved to attend one of Hubert Ogundes’ concerts, an annual party located at the Colonial Hotel in Kano, which was one of a kind. After college, he secured a visa to travel to England, where he studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramtic Arts in London.
He has been referred to by many as one of the greatest and most widely respected Nollywood Actors, along with the popular actor, Pete Edochie. He is also among the most influential African actors of all time, being spoken of and credited by several media, films, commentators, and critics. a cultural icon, including being a bridge between the old and the new actors, as well.
Movie Career
Most of Olu Jacob youthful life was spent in the United Kingdom before moving to Nigeria. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, where he starred in various British television shows and series in the 1970s, which were known as the Goodles, Till Death Us, Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels. In 1978, he played the role of president Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Tom Stoppard’s Night and Day, including the Tomorrow People and the Professionals, also starred by him in 1990.
While in international films, Olu Jacob was said to have starred in several films in 1980, which includes John Irvin’s war film, The Dog of War, Roman Polanski’s adventure-comedy Pirate in 1986, and the family adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend in 1985. Though he was cast in TV’s as the witches and the Grinnygog, they were done on television in the 1983 series as well. However, in Nollywood films, he has been considered to have starred in over 120 Nollywood films, including the recommendation as one of the top Nigerian Nollywood actors.
For those who are interested in knowing most of his movies, here are more than 40 of them which you may have watched or even thought to search for after reading this article:
- The Royal Hibiscus
- Dry
- BloodyRing
- Potomanto
- Covert Operation
- A better tomorrow (1 and 2)
- Days of Glomm (1 and 2).
- Royal king (1&2)
- Sacred lies (1,2,3,4,)
- The seekers (1,2,)
- White Chapel (1,2)
- Bent arrow
- Better generation (1, 2, 3, 4,5)
- Bitter generation (1,2,3,4)
- Palace slave (1,2,3,4)
- Power of a kiss(1 and 2)
- A weeping soul (1 and 2)
- Forest of tears(1,2,3,and 4)
- Royal Tears (1 and 2)
- Sounds of pain (1,2 and 3)
- Tears of hope (1,2 and 3)
- A can of worms (1 and 2)
- Beauty and the beast( 1,2 and 3)
- Hidden Treasure (1 and 2)
- Perfect temptation (1 and 2)
- Piece of my soul( 1,2 and 3)
- Sister Love (1,2, 3, and 4)
- Smoke and mirrors
- The return of Ogidi (1 and 2)
- Throne of Tears (1 and 2)
- To love a stranger (1 and 2).
- Ultimate crisis
- Woman in power (parts 1 and 2)
- Arsenal (1 and 2).
- Dear Sister,
- Eye of the Gods (1 and 2).
- House party (1 and 2)
- Turn tables (1 and 2).
- Private sins (1 and 2).
- Real love (1 and 2)
- The kingmaker
- Unconditional love
- Ago kan oru.
- Fear of the Unknown
- Mission to Africa
- Keeping faith, is that love?
- The last vote
- Aba Riot (1 and 2)
Note: Those movies written as 1 and 2 or 1,2,3 and 4 are known as either season 1 and 2 or season 1,2,3 and 4.
Is Olu Jacob sick?
As a man of his age, it is expected that age cones with changes both in action and health. His wife, Joke Silva, made it known to the public during her interview with Chude Jideonwo that he is battling with dementia with lewy body. She goes on to say that he has no idea of what is happening in his family since he is no longer able to spend as much time with them as he used to when he was healthy. Aside from that, she spoke of her husband’s acts of care when he was still healthy, especially when he had to get her coffee as a morning greeting, but today that has ceased, except for the maid who does it today.
Is Olu Jacob’s death?
Due to his long absence from movies and his advancing age, most people assumed he was dead around 2021, only to see him live at Afriff in November 2021, where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Olu Jacob wife
Olu Jacob is happily married to Nollywood actress called Joke Silva since 1989, and they have been blessed with children as well. He had a lot to say to those who had asked him why his wife was still bearing her maiden name. He then told them that she was her own individual when he met her as an actress with the same name.
Though it is culturally accepted in Africa that a woman bears her husband’s name, not her maiden name, as long as she is married. But Olu Jacob found nothing wrong with it. He concluded by saying why should marrying me deny now deny her and her audience her maiden name? She is Miss Joke Silva, also Mrs. Joke Jacob at home.
This made people write and say what they wanted, even to the point of saying that they had a divorce while it was a lie,but the truth is that she is Joke Silva at her work place and Joke Jacob at home, really sound funny.
His Accolades
In terms of awards and recognition, he received the industry merit award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Olu Jacob net worth
Coming to the aspect of his present net worth, he is estimated to have a net worth approximately $3.5 million.
Source: Nyscinfo