Veteran actor, Oludotun Bayeiwu Jacobs professionally known as Olu Jacobs at 80.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942 to parents from Egba Alake. He is married to Joke Silva, a fellow actress and their union is blessed with three children, two boys and a girl.
The duo founded and operate the Lufodo Group, a media corporation that consists of film production, distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. He spent his early childhood in Kano and attended Holy Trinity School where he served as a member of the debating and drama societies.
His acting career was fanned to flame by one of Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party at Colonial Hotel in, Kano. After this, he obtained a visa and travelled to England to study acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London.
He featured in various British television series and shows in the 1970s among which are Till Death Do Us Part, The Venturers, The Professionals, The Tomorrow People, The Goodies, Barlow at Large, Angels, 1990 among others.
In 1978 when Michael Cordon did a presentation of Sir Tom Stoppard’s play, Night and Day, Olu Jacobs played the role of President Mageeba.
In the 1980s Jacobs further featured in lots of international films such as Adventure Comedy by Roman Polanski, The Family Adventure by Pirates, The Dogs of War by John Irvin and Secret of the Lost Legend. On television he was also casted in TVS’s The Witches and the Grinnygog. He has also featured in over 120 Nollywood movies.
The seasoned actor has won several awards, namely: The African Movies Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards by AMAA in 2016, in Nov 2021, he was also honoured with a Life Time Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Globe Awards and on Thursday, March 17, 2022, he was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at Freedom Park, Lagos by I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival. The award was received on his behalf by Joke Silva, his wife and one of their sons, Olushola Jacobs.
