James Ikechukwu Esomugha// , popularly known as Jim Iyke listen (born 25 September 1976),[1] is a Nigerian actor and one of the stars of the movie Last Flight to Abuja.

Jim Iyke
Jim Iyke on the set of Omambala
Born
James Ikechukwu Okolue

(1976-09-25) 25 September 1976 (age 47)
Libreville, Gabon
NationalityNigerian
Other namesJames Ikechukwu Esomugha; James Ikechukwu Okolue
EducationBsc. Philosophy, University of Jos.
Alma materUniversity of Jos
OccupationActor
Years active1998–present
AwardsNet Honors, 2021
Websitejimiykesworld.com

Early life and education edit

He was born in Libreville, Gabon. His parents, from Ogwugwu Village in Enugwu-Agidi town of Anambra State, changed their name from Okolue to Esomugha. He is the only boy in a family of eight children. He attended secondary school in F. G. C. Kwali Abuja from 1985 to 1991,[2] then earned a diploma in Banking and Finance and a BSc in philosophy from the University of Jos, Plateau State.[3]

Career edit

Jim Iyke began acting in 1998. As of October 2013, he was one of the highest paid actors in Nollywood,[4] he has appeared in over 150 films. [citation needed]

He started a movie production company, Untamed Productions in 2007, and also has his own music record label, Untamed Records.[5] His first album, titled Who Am I?, featured some of Nigeria's top musicians, such as TuFace Idibia and Sound Sultan.[6][7]

Controversy edit

A video of Jim Iyke's purported 'deliverance' from an evil spirit at The Synagogue Church of All Nations, led by Pastor T.B. Joshua, provoked intense debate on social media.[8] The spirit reportedly confessed that it was behind Iyke's inability to find a wife.[9]

Personal life edit

In April 2019, he announced the birth of his son.[10]

Filmography edit

 
DJ Abass and Jim Iyke
Year Title Role Director Ref
2010 Between Kings and Queens Nnanna Joy Dickson [citation needed]
2012 Last Flight to Abuja David Obi Emelonye [11]
2013 And Then There Was You Zuma Leila Djansi
2014 When Love Comes Around Afe Olumowe [12]
2016 Stalker Michael Moses Inwang [13][14]
A Star in Heaven Kayode Afe Olumowe [15]
2017 American Driver Jim Iyke Moses Inwang [16][17]
2018 Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons Naz Toka McBaror [18]
2019 Dead rite N/A Tope Alake [19]
The Set-Up Edem Niyi Akinmolaya [20][21][22]
Merry Men 2: Another Mission Naz Moses Inwang [23][24]

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Result Ref
2021 Net Honours Most Searched Actor Won [25]

References edit

  1. ^ Okonkwo, Oge (25 September 2013). "Aww, love SO sweet: Actress, Nadia Buari's tweets at Jim Iyke on his birthday". YNaija. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Jim Iyke". Naij.com – Nigeria news. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  3. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "Jim Iyke: 7 things you probably don"t know about actor". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Jim Iyke at The 'Synagugue'". The Nation. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Untamed Productions". Jim Iyke's World: Official Website.
  6. ^ "Download link for 'Who am I' by Jim Iyke feat Tuface". Waptrick. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  7. ^ "This is STYLE. This is how I understand it - Jim Iyke". Xclusive Magazine. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Much Ado About Jim Iyke's Deliverance at TB Joshua's Synagogue". Daily Independent. Nigeria. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  9. ^ Aglanu, Ernest Dela (29 September 2013). "Jim Iyke Delivered From 'Demonic' Possession at TB Joshua's Church". My Joy Online. Ghana. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  10. ^ "Nollywood actor Jim Iyke poses with son". Punch Newspapers. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  11. ^ Moore, Roger (18 June 2020). "Netflixable? Nigerian "Last Flight to Abuja" covers the disaster pic checklist".
  12. ^ "'When Love Comes Around' Jim Iyke, Eku Edewor, others star in new movie". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Stalker, Starring Jim Iyke, To Premiere Soon". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe-Etim's 'Stalker' hit cinemas in February 2016". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  15. ^ "A Star in Heaven - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Comedy movie featuring Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari, Emma Nyra gets release date". Pulse Nigeria. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  17. ^ "'American Driver' starring Jim Iyke, AY Makun and Nse Ikpe-Etim set for Nigerian cinemas". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018) - IMDb". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  19. ^ "Jim Iyke - nlist | Nollywood, Nigerian Movies & Casting". nlist.ng. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  20. ^ editor (22 June 2019). "Jim Iyke, Adesua Etomi, Thrill in 'The Set Up'". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 17 November 2020. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ "Adesua Etomi, Jim Iyke, others star in 'The Set Up'". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Dakore Akande, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Jim Iyke, others star in new film 'The Set Up'". Pulse Nigeria. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Olamide gets a cameo appearance in 'Merry Men' sequel as AY releases official trailer". Pulse Nigeria. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Merry Men 2 (2019) - IMDb". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 September 2021.

External links edit