Joke Silva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joke Silva MFR
Silva at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Born	1961 Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Other names	Joke Silva Jacobs
Alma mater	University of Lagos
Occupation	Actress, director, and businesswoman
Years active	1990– till date
Notable work	White Waters . Women's Cot
Spouse(s)	Olu Jacobs
Awards	2006 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role . 2008Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

Joke Silva is a famous Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. She is known for her many roles in films and TV shows. In 2006, she won the "Best Actress in a Leading Role" award at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards. She also won "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" in 2008.

Joke Silva is married to the well-known actor Olu Jacobs. Together, they started the Lufodo Group. This company works in film production and distribution. They also founded the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Joke Silva is the Director of Studies there. She also helped start Malete Film Village with Kwara State University. In 2014, she received a special honor from Nigeria, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.

Early Life and Family

Joke Silva was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1961. She grew up in a family with four children. Her mother, Adebimbola Silva, was a pioneering doctor. Her father, Chief Emmanuel Afolabi Silva, was a lawyer. Her great-grandfathers were important figures in Colonial Nigeria.

Joke Silva's Education Journey

Joke Silva went to Holy Child College in Lagos. She later studied at the University of Lagos. She also attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Starting Her Acting Career

Joke Silva began acting in the early 1990s. While at university, she was part of a cultural group. This group included famous people like playwright Bode Osanyin. She took a year off from her studies to act. Then, she moved to England to study drama.

At first, her parents were not sure about her acting career. But they soon supported her. They were happy with her success. During a slower time in her career, she went back to school. She studied English at the University of Lagos.

Her Acting Career

Early Roles (1990–2004)

Joke Silva has acted in many films and TV series. She has performed in both English and Yoruba languages. One of her first roles was in the 1990 TV series Mind Bending.

In 1993, she appeared in Owulorojo. She then starred in Violated in 1996. In 1998, she acted alongside Colin Firth in the film The Secret Laughter of Women. In this movie, she played the character Nene. Many people saw her as an outstanding actress.

In 2002, Joke Silva starred with Bimbo Akintola in Keeping Faith. Bimbo Akintola has said that Joke Silva greatly influenced her career. Also in 2002, Joke Silva helped produce and starred in The Kingmaker. She worked on this film with Olu Jacobs. After this, she had roles in movies like A Husband's Wife (2003) and Shylock (2004).

Major Success (2006–Present)

In 2006, Joke Silva won "Best Actress in a Leading Role". This was for her part in the film Women's Cot. She received this award at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Later that year, she starred with Genevieve Nnaji in 30 Days. This action thriller received many nominations. She also narrated The Amazing Grace. This film was praised by critics. The News magazine noted her "song-like voice" in the movie.

In 2007, Joke Silva acted in To Love and to Hold. She won a "Best Supporting Actress" award in 2008. This was for her role as a grandmother in White Waters (2007). She is also a recipient of the EMOTAN Award from African Independent Television (AIT).

In 2011, Joke Silva starred in the romantic comedy Phone Swap. This film was very popular. It received four nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards. In 2013, Joke Silva performed on stage. She appeared in "Mad King of Ijudiya" in Lagos. This play was a mix of folklore, dance, and music.

United Nations Goodwill Ambassador

In October 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime chose Joke Silva. They appointed her as a goodwill ambassador. She held this role for three years.

Personal Life and Other Work

Silva, with her husband Olu Jacobs at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards

Joke Silva is married to the famous actor Olu Jacobs. They have two children. They first met in 1981 at the National Theatre, Lagos.

Joke Silva is the Director of Studies at the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Her husband is the chairman. The Lufodo Group includes Lufodo Productions and Lufodo Distribution. She has also helped with projects for the Bank of Industry. She was also the first managing director of Malete Film Village.

Besides acting, Joke Silva helps others. She supports women's rights and empowerment. She helps with their education and training.

On September 29, 2014, Joke Silva received a national honor. She was named a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. In September 2016, she became a brand ambassador for AIICO Pension Managers Limited.

In 2020, Joke Silva led a campaign. She helped support Nigerian actors who needed money for medical bills. In 2021, she shared that her husband, Olu Jacobs, is facing health challenges. In 2022, she joined the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team.

Selected Films

• Violated (1995)
• Silent Night (1996) as Mrs. Agnes Odame
• Curse From Beyond (1999) as Janet's Mother
• The Secret Laughter of Women (1999) as Nene
• Keeping Faith: Is That Love? (2002)
• The Kingmaker (2003)
• Last Wedding (2004) as Mrs. Daniel
• Women's Cot (2005)
• 30 Days (2006) as Dupe Ajayi
• Eewo Orisa (2007) as Eyinade
• The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017) as Augustina
• Potato Potahto (2017) as Mrs. Wilson
• Chief Daddy (2018) as Lady Kay Beecroft
• Light in the Dark (2019) as Mama Jumoke
• Diamonds in the Sky (2019) as Aisha Dalhatu
• Two Weeks in Lagos (2019) as Mrs. Chukwuemeka
• Namaste Wahala (2021) as Shola
• The Wait (2021) as Akin's Mom
• Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke (2022) as Lady Kay
• Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman (2022)
• Rise (2022) as Cecelia
• Over the Bridge (2023) as Engineer Suleiman
• Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (2024) as older Funmilayo

Television Shows

• Battleground (2017–2019) as Mama Egba
• The Olive (2021-2023) as Madam Elaine

See also

In Spanish: Joke Silva para niños

• List of Yoruba people
• List of Nigerian actresses
• List of Nigerian philanthropists