Nollywood actress Joke Silva- Jacobs is 55 years old today!
The veteran actress shared a lovely photo on her instagram page to thank God and appreciate her well-wisher for their prayers. She wrote: “Grateful to God for another year. Thanks everyone for your beautiful messages/prayers and happy birthday to all my birthday mates. God bless you. #Birthday”
Joke Silva (born 29 September 1961) is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman.
A graduate of the University of Lagos and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, she began a career in film in the early 1990s. In 1998 she had a major role starred opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women. In 2006 she won the “Best Actress in a Leading Role” award at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2006 for her performance in Women’s Cot, and “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance as a grandmother in White Waters.
Silva is married to veteran actor Olu Jacobs with 2 children. On September 29, 2014, Silva was bestowed with the National Honours Award (MFR Award). at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. In September 2016 she was unveiled as the brand ambassador for AIICO Pension Managers Limited (APML).
Silva has starred in numerous films and television series in both the English and Yoruba languages. One of her earliest roles was in the 1990 English film Mind Bending. In 1993 she appeared in Owulorojo, followed by Violated in 1995. In 1998 she starred opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women, in which she portrayed the character of Nene. Author Finola Kerrigan noted than Silva stood out as an exceptional actress in the Nigerian film industry after mentioning her role.
In 2002, Silva starred opposite Bimbo Akintola in Keeping Faith. Akintola later cited Silva, whom she refers to as “Aunty Joke”, as a major career influence, adding, “Silva has done a lot, but it’s not even about the things that she did, it’s about the things she didn’t realize that she did”. Also in 2002, Silva co-produced and starred in The Kingmaker with Olu Jacobs. This was followed by roles in pictures such as A Husband’s Wife (2003), Shylock (2004), and A Past Came Calling (2004).