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 48)
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

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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

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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.[5]

He started a movie production company, Untamed Productions in 2007, and also has his own music record label, Untamed Records.[6] His first album, titled Who Am I?, featured some of Nigeria's top musicians, such as TuFace Idibia and Sound Sultan.[7][8]

Controversy

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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.[9] The spirit reportedly confessed that it was behind Iyke's inability to find a wife.[10]

Personal life

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In April 2019, he announced the birth of his son.[5]

Filmography

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DJ Abass and Jim Iyke
Year Title Role Director Ref
2006 the High Class Prince's Orderly Afam Okereke
2007 A Better Place Festus Tchidi Chikere
2008 The Shepherd Raymond Nonso Ekene Okonkwo
2009 Royal Madness Ikoku Nonso Ekene Okonkwo
2010 Between Kings and Queens Nnanna Joy Dickson [11]
2012 Last Flight to Abuja David Obi Emelonye [12]
2013 And Then There Was You Zuma Leila Djansi
2014 When Love Comes Around Afe Olumowe [13]
2016 Stalker Michael Moses Inwang [14][15]
A Star in Heaven Kayode Afe Olumowe [16]
2017 American Driver Jim Iyke Moses Inwang [17][18]
2018 Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons Naz Toka McBaror [19]
2019 Dead rite N/A Tope Alake [20]
The Set-Up Edem Niyi Akinmolaya [21][22][23]
Merry Men 2: Another Mission Naz Moses Inwang [24][25]
2020 Cold Feet Mayowa Moses Inwang
Bad Comments Frank Orji Moses Inwang
2021 Hustle Tunde Lewis Marc Adebesin
2022 The Set Up 2 Edem Chinaza Onuzo
Closure Mandate David Robert Peters
Zongo Boys Benjamin Sarpong
Passport Oscar Dimeji Ajibola
2023 Different Strokes Alex Cole Biodun Stephen
Rent a Room Obi Jim Iyke
2024 No Fury Akay Mason

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Result Ref
2021 Net Honours Most Searched Actor Won [26]

References

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  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. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Jim Iyke at The 'Synagugue'". The Nation. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Nollywood actor Jim Iyke poses with son". Punch Newspapers. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Untamed Productions". Jim Iyke's World: Official Website.
  7. ^ "Download link for 'Who am I' by Jim Iyke feat Tuface". Waptrick. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  8. ^ "This is STYLE. This is how I understand it - Jim Iyke". Xclusive Magazine. 28 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  9. ^ "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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Between Kings and Queens". Jim Iyke's World. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  12. ^ Moore, Roger (18 June 2020). "Netflixable? Nigerian "Last Flight to Abuja" covers the disaster pic checklist".
  13. ^ "'When Love Comes Around' Jim Iyke, Eku Edewor, others star in new movie". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Stalker, Starring Jim Iyke, To Premiere Soon". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe-Etim's 'Stalker' hit cinemas in February 2016". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  16. ^ "A Star in Heaven - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Comedy movie featuring Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari, Emma Nyra gets release date". Pulse Nigeria. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  18. ^ "'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.
  19. ^ "Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018) - IMDb". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Jim Iyke - nlist | Nollywood, Nigerian Movies & Casting". nlist.ng. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  21. ^ 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)
  22. ^ "Adesua Etomi, Jim Iyke, others star in 'The Set Up'". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Dakore Akande, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Jim Iyke, others star in new film 'The Set Up'". Pulse Nigeria. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Olamide gets a cameo appearance in 'Merry Men' sequel as AY releases official trailer". Pulse Nigeria. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Merry Men 2 (2019) - IMDb". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 September 2021.


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