Grass to Grace Series (28): Olu Jacobs’ rise from church choir to Nollywood legend

His is a voice with a gravitational pull, a rich baritone, and a presence with a kingly force—a legend. He is Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs.

The Gift that set him apart

The legendary Olu Jacobs, who just turned 82, has an acting history that began in Kano. He didn’t know how it all started, but he knew he was gifted with a sonorous voice that made him stand out, marking him as a choice soloist in the choir while in primary school, as revealed in an interview with Modern Ghana. Jacobs was also involved in school plays and executed roles conveniently but it was all hobby until the incident which shaped his life forever, searing his heart with a passion for acting and setting his life’s course for the stage and cameras.

The Journey to Self-Discovery

One fateful day, while running errands for his mom, Jacobs came across people promoting a drama, with loud music blasting from their vehicle and posters of the dramatists. It was Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual play.

Intrigued and desperate to see the play, young Olu Jacobs negotiated with his mom to do all his unpleasant chores, including tidying up his space, in exchange for permission. However, his father also had to approve. After some delay and tantrums, he eventually got the go-ahead.

At the venue, Colonial Hotel in Kano, Jacobs was thrilled by the dancing, singing, and acting. What struck him most was the audience’s reaction—they were laughing, not just smiling. He knew then that he wanted to make people laugh and decided right there to become an actor.

When he shared this passion with his father, it didn’t resonate. His father, a master drummer and prolific dancer, didn’t understand why his son wanted to major in what was considered a minor—art like acting was seen as more of a hobby than a profession. Young Jacobs shelved his ambition for a while, but not for too long.

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In Pursuit of his life’s calling

In 1950, a riot broke out in Kano, prompting Jacobs and his siblings to move to the South for school, visiting their parents only during holidays.

After secondary school, Jacobs aimed to move to England for further studies, which displeased his father. Despite his father’s refusal to sign the necessary form, Jacobs found someone else to sign it enabling him to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England.

In England, Jacobs found life challenging. He was different there. After school, he struggled to get an agent because he wasn’t a member of the Actors Union. He couldn’t join the union without a job, couldn’t get a job without an agent, and no agent would take him because he wasn’t a union member. This catch-22 situation was incredibly frustrating and almost made him end it all until a friend informed him of an audition happening the next day.

At the audition, a young man approached Jacobs, asking for his details and his agent’s. Jacobs provided his friend’s agent’s information and was the first to audition. He was picked for the role and sought the agent’s help to avoid exposure. Fortunately, the agent agreed to represent him, helping launch his career.

Back to Base

As his career progressed abroad, Jacobs felt the need to break free from a system that stifled his creativity. Even with good ideas, he had to adhere to the director’s dictates. This led him to pursue an acting career in Nigeria in the 1980s, although the industry was underdeveloped at the time. He fully joined the Nigerian industry in the 1990s.

The Legacy of a Legend

Jacobs has starred in television series both locally and internationally, including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals, and The Third Eye (Nigerian).

His stage plays include Murderous Angels: A Political Tragedy and Comedy in Black and White, Richard’s Cork Leg, Black Man’s Country, and Julius Caesar.

His films include Ashanti, The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, Pirates, Adesuwa, Oloibiri, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, and many more.

Jacobs received the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

In August 2022, the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) honored him and his wife, Joke Silva, with an icon award and a membership certificate.

Olu Jacobs is regarded as one of the godfathers of Nollywood, fulfilling his dream against all odds. His appearances on screen bring smiles and laughter to his audience.