Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has opened up about his experience working alongside the late Olu Jacobs, describing a performer whose professionalism and exacting standards left a lasting impression on every set he graced. In an interview with BBC Focus on Africa, following Jacobs' death on September 16 at the age of 84, Kanayo detailed the discipline and mastery that defined Jacobs' approach to his craft.
Early Arrivals and Flawless Lines
Kanayo recalled that Jacobs was always the first to arrive on set and never struggled to remember his lines. He said Jacobs' command of his script was so complete that it set him apart from nearly every other actor in the room.
“You wouldn't tell an Olu Jacobs that call time is 9 am and he is not there by 8:30. Is it in terms of taking his lines? Such people were like demigods; difficult to forget their lines,” Kanayo said.
This level of preparation, according to Kanayo, was not just a personal habit but a standard that Jacobs implicitly imposed on everyone around him. Working with Jacobs came with an unspoken expectation that younger actors would either rise to the occasion or hear about it directly.
Pushing Younger Actors to Improve
Kanayo explained that Jacobs was always willing to share his knowledge, but he had no tolerance for actors who were not fully committed to their work. He described Jacobs as someone who would, in a gentle but firm manner, point out how a younger performer could do better.
“God save you if you are on set with Mr Olu Jacobs and you're not proving yourself to be an actor. He will, in a very simple way, tell you how you can be better,” Kanayo said.
This mentorship, Kanayo noted, was a defining trait of Jacobs' career. He was not only a towering figure on screen but also a guide who encouraged the next generation to take their craft seriously.
A Memorable On-Screen Partnership
Kanayo also shared a personal memory of appearing alongside Jacobs in a film produced by Lancelot Imasuen in Benin. In that production, Jacobs played a king while Kanayo played his prince, a casting that mirrored the real-life hierarchy the two actors held in the Nigerian film industry.
Reflecting on Jacobs' passing, Kanayo expressed a mix of sorrow and acceptance. “I would have wished that he stayed more. He has played his part, and it's time the Lord called him home,” he said.
Olu Jacobs, born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs on July 11, 1942, trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before building a career that spanned British theatre, international film, and Nigerian cinema for more than five decades. He co-founded the Lufodo Group with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival, among many other honours.
Joke Silva publicly disclosed in 2021 that Jacobs had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. He is survived by his wife and their children.
