Olu Jacobs- Where in God’s Name is The Legendary Nigerian Actor?

Nollywood has been fortunate enough to have talented actors who have taken the industry to its peak. The legendary actor, Olu Jacobs is a household name for all Nollywood fans in Nigeria and even beyond. He is one of the A-list actors of all time that has featured in numerous Nollywood movies as well as several international movies and series.

Olu Jacobs has been described as one of the most influential African actors and also a cultural icon. He has surely made his mark in Nollywood and with more than four decades of experience, he is often considered as a bridge between the old actors and new actors in the Nigerian movie industry.

Where In God’s Name Is The Legendary Actor?

Olu Jacobs has been missing on screen for some time now and that has made his fans wonder what happened to him and where he is at the moment. The actor decided to take a step back from the screens after he appeared in the Nollywood blockbuster movie The Royal Hibiscus Hotel in 2017.

His wife, Joke Silva, revealed in an interview that her husband had to withdraw from acting due to his age and other health challenges which constrain him from doing too many strenuous activities. There were rumours of his death in 2020 but these were only rumours which his family later refuted as false. The veteran actor is said to be currently hale and hearty.

The actor shared a business page on his Instagram handle called Jacobs’ Treat. It is a restaurant that is available to deliver meals to people in Lagos. This could be the actor’s latest venture.

Olu Jacobs’ Biography

Oludotun Baiyewa Jacobs popularly known as Olu Jacobs was born on 11 July 1942 in Ogun state, Nigeria to his parents who are both from Egba Alake. He was raised in the northern part of Nigeria, Kano, and attended Holy Trinity School where he was active in the debating and drama societies. He was also trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Olu Jacobs’ Personal Life: Wife

Just like many celebrities who like to keep their private lives away from the public eyes, Jacobs is no exception. He has been married to Joke Silva for over three decades now. His wife is also a talented thespian and actress. The couple met in 1981 at the Lagos National Theatre during a rehearsal for Wole Soyinka’s Jero’s Metamorphosis.

Olu Jacobs and his wife are regarded as a power couple and also great inspiration for young couples. They lost their first and only daughter when she was only ten years old but later had two boys, Olusoji Jacobs and Olugbenga Jacobs. Their sons both studied in the United Kingdom and the eldest son is in charge of the actors’ investments and finances.

The couple founded a school called Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts which is part of the Lufodo Group. The company has other subdivisions like Lufodo Productions, Lufodo Consult, and Lufodo Distribution. Olu Jacobs is the chairman of the school while his wife is the director of studies.

Olu Jacob’s Net Worth

The actor has been quite successful in his career. It is certain that he has amassed a fortune from his career and his other investments. Even though there’s no reliable information about his net worth, some sources have mentioned that he might be worth close to $10 million.

Here Are 5 Interesting Facts about Olu Jacobs

1. Olu Jacobs’ Acting Career

The veteran actor began his acting career after he graduated from school in London. He began to appear in various British television shows and series like The Goodies, Till Death Do Us Part, Angels, etc. in the early 70s. Jacobs began to feature in international films in the 1980s. Some of the films are The Dogs of War, Roman Polanski, and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend.

Olu Jacobs has starred in over 150 movies in Nollywood in the past four decades of his career as an actor. Some of his popular movies are:

Soul On Fire (2012)
Royal Storm (2009)
Save My Soul (2013)
Throne Of Tears (2018)
Unveil (2017)
One With God (2016)
Ghana Must Go (2016)
Grey Dawn (2015)
The Family (2014)
Dry (2014)
Ashanti (1979)
The Dogs of War (1980) among many others.

2. Olu Jacobs’ Awards And Accolades

Jacobs has been recognized for his incredible acting skills and talent. In 2017, he won the African movie academy award for best actor in a leading role. At the 2013 African Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMAA), he was honored with the Industry Merit Award for Outstanding Achievements in acting, and in 2016 he was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Awards by AMAA.

3. Olu Jacobs’ Wife Still Uses Her Maiden Name

The award-winning actor explained in an interview why his wife of over thirty years still uses her maiden name without him objecting to it as most African men do. Olu Jacobs explained that Joke Silva was already an actress when he met her so he didn’t want to deny her and her audience her name. This has spurred a lot of rumours about their separation but the couple confirmed they are still happily married.

More than that, Joke Silva is a graduate of the University of Lagos and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London has won quite a lot of awards for her performance. In 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime appointed her a Goodwill Ambassador for three years. She also received one of Nigeria’s National honours at the International Conference Center in Abuja on 29 September 2014. She received recognition as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Lagos State Government also appointed Joke Silva the chairman of the state’s Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Review Committee in May 2020.

4. He Once Rejected A Hefty Cheque from his mother-in-law

When he was much younger and still struggling to make his mark as an actor, Olu Jacobs was once offered a hefty cheque from the mother of his wife who at the time was doing very well financially. She offered him the unspecified amount so that he could finish his uncompleted house but because of his pride, he rejected the offer and got himself together until he was able to complete the house.

5. Olu Jacobs Is Blessed With Three Children

The legendary Nollywood actor has not only been blessed with a great marriage but he is also blessed with three children. Together with his wife, the actor’s children are Olusoji Jacobs, Olugbenga Jacobs, and Dayo Jacobs who was his only daughter.

Even though both their parents are actors, the children have not followed in the same pathway. In 2018, Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs celebrated the 30th birthday of their son, Olusoji who is now married to Boma Douglas, although it is not known if they now have any kids. Olugbenga celebrated his 20th birthday in 2020.

Tragedy struck the family many years ago when Dayo who was the firstborn of the actor and his wife died at the age of 10. She was on life support for a while before she was later taken off after the actor got the support of his mother-in-law who was very close to Dayo.