{
  "id": 8122416,
  "title": "A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/a-man-for-all-seasons",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T23:13:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/18/a-man-for-all-seasons-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A man named Oji Onoko recounts his chance meeting with renowned actor Olu Jacobs, who lived in a modest home in Ikeja, Lagos. Onoko hesitates to meet the famous actor, but the actor greets him warmly and offers a seat in his simple sitting room. Jacobs reveals that had he pursued medicine, he would have been a highly respected physician, impressed by the white lab coats and the pious demeanor of Catholic priests. However, he ultimately chose to pursue acting instead.\n\nThe encounter with legendary theatre practitioner Hubert Ogunde at a young age sparked Jacobs' desire to entertain people. He was only in elementary school at the time, but his mind was made up. Jacobs traveled to England to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), where he received extensive training in various aspects of theatre. Despite the Catch-22 situation faced by aspiring actors in England, Jacobs found success through the BBC.\n\nAfter working in various repertory theatres, Jacobs made his way to London's West End and eventually became a life-long member of the National Theatre of Great Britain. He also appeared in numerous television series and specials, including the popular children's programme Jacknary. Jacobs' breakthrough in film came with his role in \"Baby,\" a Walt Disney Pictures production, where he traveled to Ivory Coast. He also worked in Hollywood, starring in films like \"Blue Screaming\" and \"Pirates,\" and collaborated with notable actors like Michael Cain, William Golding, and Omar Sheriff.\n\nDespite spending 21 years in England, Jacobs always maintained a strong connection to his home country, Nigeria. He visited Nigeria regularly, hoping to make a significant impact on his people, much like he had done abroad. In the 1980s, he settled in Nigeria and founded LUFODO Productions to gain more control over his productions. Jacobs was also involved in the video film industry, known as Nollywood, where he acted in both English and Yoruba films. He expressed a desire to entertain his fellow Nigerians through his work, stating, \"Acting is being.\"",
  "summary": "OJI ONOKO recalls an encounter with the iconic actor, Olu Jacobs, few years ago This Monday evening as the car drops you in front of his Ikeja, Lagos home, you",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}