News broke out via on Tuesday that Nigeria’s veteran Nollywood actor is death, but after all, it is a fake news.
The unverified news circulated via the social media that the 77-year old thespian passed away.
However, the news was later debunked by family sources that it was not true.
Olu Jacobs is alive, a family source said.
Born Oludotun Jacobs on 11 July 1942 in Ogun State, Nigeria to parents Egba Alake, he grew up in Kano and also schooled in the northern state.
Olu Jacobs’ love for acting started at a young age when he was a member of the debate and drama society at Holy Trinity school were he got his secondary education.
Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party at Colonial Hotel in Kano, was what opened his mind to the world of acting.
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He later travelled to England to study arts and enrolled into The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
There, he starred in several British television series and international films between the 1970s and 80s.
While he was still in England, he featured in underground TV shows like Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Goodies -this was in the 70s.
Olu Jacobs went international in the 80s when he starred in movies like; The Dogs of War, directed by John Irvin, Roman Polanski’s adventure-comedy Pirates, those old enough in the 80s would also remember the family adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, which also featured the veteran actor.
Olu Jacobs’ other international works include ‘Barlow at Large,’ ‘The Venturers,’ ‘Angels,’ ‘1990,’ ‘The Tomorrow People,’ ‘The Professionals,’ among others.
On television series, he was a cast in TVS’ The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983 series). In Nigeria, Olu Jacobs has starred in over 150 Nollywood films.
Today he has become an inspiration to younger actors in the industry as well as aspiring actors.
In 2007, he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and in 2013, he was honoured with the Industry’s Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Olu Jacobs is not one who leaves his personal life bare to the public. The veteran actor has been married to co-thespian and popular actress, Joke Silva for over 30-years and they are blessed with two sons.
