Olu Jacobs is an internationally acclaimed Nigerian actor and film executive.
He has starred in several British television series and international films and has been regarded by many as one of the greatest and most widely respected African actors of his generation.
Olu Jacobs who was honoured with the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
He has also starred in various British television shows and series in the 1970s (e.g. The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals). In 1978, he played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Tom Stoppard’s play Night and Day.
In the 1980s Jacobs starred in several international films some of which include John Irvin’s war film The Dogs of War, Roman Polanski’s adventure-comedy Pirates (1986) and the family-adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985). On television he was a cast in TVS’ The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983 series).
Jacobs has starred in over 120 Nollywood films and is considered by several media, film commentators and critics, to be one of the most influential African actors of all time, and is widely regarded as a cultural icon.
Speaking on his secret to success in a recently published book titled, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, Olu Jacobs stressed the importance of constant practice in achieving success. He said, “You have to keep practicing, you don’t stop even when you are upset, you must carry on. When you are sad, you do it, when you are happy, you do it as well. There is no other magic”.
In Azuh Arinze’s book, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, Olu Jacobs’ giant strides are documented. The book is an enlightening collection of one on one interview sessions with 30 high-profiled individuals in the country including; Christopher Kolade of Cadbury/LBS, Tony Ezenna of Orange Drugs, Anselm Madubuko of Revival Assembly, Steve Babaeko of X3M Ideas, Film director, Tade Ogidan, veteran actors, Pete Edochie and Dele Odule, to name a few. The book explores the success stories of these individuals, and also provides key insights into their lives.