Veteran iconic actor, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs popularly known as Olu Jacobs who clocked 80 recently has many things to be thankful for despite his ordeals.
With over 40 years in the movie industry, the actor is one of the few veterans whose footprints have both inspired and defined the path for many aspiring and established actors.
At the 80th birthday celebration held for him at Lagos’ illustrious Glover Hall, colleagues, and dignitaries from many spheres of life attended the event to honour the cinema legend.
Among those present was the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, Media Mogul, Mo Abudu, Victor Osuagwu, Ngozi Nwosu, and Kunle Afolayan.
Others include Sola Sobowale and Hilda Dokubo. Mercy Johnson, Richard Mofe Damijo, AFRIFF founder, Chioma Ude, Ini Edo, and a host of others were in attendance.
Olu Jacobs is a successful professional who has paid his dues in the movie industry and is thus highly respected by all, especially as a film executive, with inspiring roles in several British television series and international films.
Having starred in over 150 Nollywood and international movies, he has carved his niche as a brilliant actor and stage performer to the delight of his teeming fans within and outside Nigeria.
Jacobs was rumored to have died in 2021 but his 60-year-old wife and fellow thespian, Joke Silva, debunked the rumour and later disclosed the situation of his health as ‘dementia with Lewy bodies.’
Jacobs obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from Holy Trinity School in Kano State where he was said to be highly active in the Debating and Drama Society.
After his secondary education, he travelled out of the country to study Theatre Arts at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in England, United Kingdom in 1964. Subsequently, he worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
He got his first acting role while in London. After a successful audition, he bagged a role in his first movie “The Vigilante” which was produced by AA Production.
Subsequently, many other roles were to follow as he established himself as an actor of note in various British television series and shows in the 70s.
He starred in the political tragedy and comedy play “Murderous Angels” performed in the 1971 edition of Dublin Theatre Festival. In 1978, he played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of British screenwriter Sir Tom Stoppard’s play “Night and Day”.
The Nation
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