Few actors have left an imprint on Nollywood as enduring as veteran actor Olu Jacobs. For decades, his commanding presence, mastery of the craft and quiet professionalism helped define what excellence in acting could look like, earning him admiration from generations of practitioners.
For a generation of young actors who learnt the craft by watching him, Olu Jacobs was more than a screen legend. He was a masterclass in what acting could be. His death has left Nollywood bereft of a rare standard of professionalism, preparation and excellence that younger practitioners now say they will deeply miss. As tributes continue to pour in following his death on September 16, practitioners across the film industry have been reflecting on the qualities that made Jacobs an institution in his own right. They recalled an actor whose command of the craft, respect for preparation and commitment to excellence offered younger practitioners a model of what it means to build a lasting career in the industry.
Film-maker Yemi Amodu described Jacobs as an exemplary practitioner who taught the industry the importance of professionalism and continuous improvement, while encouraging actors and filmmakers to understand and hone their strengths.
“As a film director, I did not just watch Uncle Olu act; I studied him. He was my practical textbook of Stanislavsky. He taught us that acting is not about making faces, but about living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. On set with him, you saw discipline, you saw preparation, you saw total immersion. He did not perform a character, he inhabited it.
“I count myself blessed to have drunk directly from his well of knowledge and skill. I sat at his feet, I listened to his corrections, I watched how he broke down a script with scholarly precision, how he respected every line, every pause, every silence. Those encounters shaped the director I became.
“He was a true scholar-artist and a patriot of a rare kind. Uncle Olu Jacobs is a legend in the industry, and I learned from him that training and humility are essential to achieving success in any career. His works will outlive him, and we shall glean from his works,” said Amodu.
Queen Blessing Ebigieson, an actress and guild head, in celebrating the legendary actor, Olu Jacobs, who passed away on September 16, said he would be missed for the mentorship he provided to the younger generation through several of his works.
“Sir Olu Jacobs was not just an actor, he was an institution. The Lion of Lufodo, a bridge between two generations. A master of his craft who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London, and brought excellence back home to build Nollywood into what it is today.”
Shaibu Hussein, who has been in the industry for decades, said, “Olu Jacobs did not simply act; he commanded the stage and screen. His rich, booming voice, impeccable diction, and unmatched gravitas set the gold standard for acting across the continent.”
Film producer of repute, Mo Abudu, said, “Olu Jacobs was an extraordinary actor, a voice and a master of his craft. I feel privileged to have witnessed his brilliance, to have known the warmth, dignity and grace he brought to those around him. His work will continue to live on.”
Filmmaker and cinematographer Silverlyne Asugo noted that not every generation sees an actor like Uncle Olu Jacobs come along and showcase such excellence and professionalism.
She noted that, although she did not work with him, she had seen his works, which she said were a testament to his uniqueness.
Credit: Leadership
