By Teddy Nwanunobi
Legendary Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs, may have vowed out from the stage. But what he left behind will continue to keep millions of Nigerians, at home and abroad, entertained for years to come.
Following the announcement of his death on Wednesday in a joint Instagram post by his wife, actress Joke Silva, and son, Olusoji, tributes poured in to celebrate the late actor’s brilliant body of work.
His illustrious career began in the United Kingdom where he played many roles in TV shows before finding a place in Hollywood productions, and then finally coming home to cement his legacy as a Nollywood legend.
Celebration his legacy will not be complete without a list of some of the movies one of the irokos of the Nollywood flexed his skills as one of the greatest Nigerian actors.
Ranging from western productions to Nollywood, below are some of the movies that made him the icon that many are speaking of him:
Ashanti (1979): A young Michael Caine stars as Dr David, a man who goes on a perilous journey to save his lover from slavers. In this movie, Jacobs plays the no nonsense Commissioner Batak who assists him on this journey. It’s a role that gives a glimpse into the type of character he’d embody in many Nollywood productions.
The Dogs Of War (1980): This 1980 movie directed by John Irvin follows a small unit of soldiers hired to overthrow an African leader. Olu Jacobs steals the show as a strict immigration officer who finds a balance between humour and seriousness. It’s a role that finds him opposite Christopher Walken and he holds his own with little to no effort.
Eye of The Gods (2004): In a rare, non-royal Nollywood role Jacobs plays Agumba, a man caught between duty to his village and a corrupt princess. It’s a role that showed his versatility as he brought a new side to his work.
Dancing Heart (2006): This role gave him the Best Actor in a Leading Role award at the 2007 African Movie Academy Awards. In this film he played a struggling writer who uses his wife’s flirting escapades as inspiration. With a balance of humour and emotional depth, he etched his name among the icons of the industry.
Adesuwa (A Wasted Lust) (2012): In this movie set in the ancient Benin kingdom, Olu Jacobs took on the role of Ezomo in a movie unlike any other of its time. Tackling themes of slavery and duty to tradition, the legendary actor brought new life to the movie helping it secure 10 nominations at the 2012 African Academy Movie Awards.
Potomanto (2013): This time he takes his skills to Ghana in this crime thriller that follows a private investigator who tracks unfaithful partners of the men who hire him. His work leads him to a wealthy man played with menacing bravado by Olu Jacobs.
Oloibiri (2015): He put forward a complex moving performance as Timipre in this movie that addressed the exploitative efforts of oil companies in the Niger Delta. In a movie packed with stars like Richard Mofe Damijo and Segun Arinze, he plays a man ridden with guilt as his community is destroyed.
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017): In his last onscreen role, he gives a small but mighty performance as Richard alongside his wife, Joke Silva. Written and Directed by Ishaya Bako, the movie was a fitting final appearance for our legend and icon.
There many other movies with great titles, including: Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985) – Colonel Nsogbu, Pirates (1986) – Boomako, Greatness (2007) – King, Smoke & Mirrors (2008) – Alhaji Sanni, League of Gentlemen (2009) – Chief Kolade, Bent Arrows (2010), Sacred Lies (2011) – Theodore, White Chapel (2011) – Chief Tonye, Adesuwa (2012) – Ezomo, The Antique (2014), and Bloody Ring (2014) – Osuma.
Others are: Dry (2015) – Speaker, One Fine Day (2015), The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017) – Richard, Victims (2017) – Baba Deolu, Unveil (2017), A Better Tomorrow, A Better Tomorrow 2, Days of Gloom, Days of Gloom 2, Royal King, Royal King 2, Palace Slave, Palace Slave 2, Power of a Kiss, and A Weeping Soul.
Born July 11, 1942, Jacobs cut his teeth at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. That training took him into British TV and Hollywood in the late 70s and 80s.
For decades, Jacobs set the standard for screen authority in Nigeria. Whether in an epic, a romance, or a social drama, his presence gave weight to the story.
Beyond acting, he worked as a producer and stage director, and was a consistent voice on welfare, professionalism and IP rights in Nollywood. In 2007 he received a national honour as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
He is survived by his wife Joke Silva, children and grandchildren. The family has asked for privacy at this time.