One of Nigeria’s superstars that need no intro is Nollywood Icon James Ikechukwu Esomugha often addressed as Jim Iyke. He is a top Nollywood actor, a film and music producer, a philanthropist, and a serial entrepreneur.
He is currently one of the highest-paid and the richest Nollywood actor, the founder of the popular clothing brands called “Untamed Closet” and the current owner of a bottled water company called “Burgeon Table Water.” This Veteran actor was born on 25th September 1976, in Libreville, Gabon.
Jim Iyke is the only son of a blessed family of eight having seven sisters. His parents Mr. and Mrs. Stephen are Nigerians from Enugu Agidi town in Anambra State. He is currently married to the woman of his dream Dana Kinduryte who is a lawyer from Kaunas in Lithuania.
The lovebirds got married at Chateau Cocoma in Texas and only close friends and family members were invited. And they are blessed with a lovely boy Harvis Chidubem Iyke born on the 1st of September, 2015 in Atlanta at Grady Hospital.
Biography of Jim Iyke
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Education
Jim Iyke spent his primary school days in Gabon before moving to Abuja with his parents. In Abuja, he completed his secondary school education and graduated from F.G.C. Kwali Abuja from 1985 to 1991. After his secondary education, he went on to complete a bachelor’s degree program in Banking and Finance, and later on, he obtained a BSc in Philosophy at the University of Jos, Plateau State.
Jim Iyke’s Career
Jim Iyke began acting professionally in 2002 but made his first debut in the industry in the year 2001 and ever since, he has made an appearance in over 300 movies making him one of the most capped Nollywood actors.
He has shown his class and unique acting qualities in movies such as Palace War, Last Flight to Abuja, Power of a Kiss, Between Kings and Queens, Eyes of the Nun, Heavy Heart, King of Kings, No Man’s Land, Beyoncé & Rihanna, 1 Dollar, The Cat, Cultural Clash, Closure, American Driver, and so on.
His acting career went global after he appeared in a blockbuster movie titled “Last Flight to Abuja” which featured notable names like British actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.
Having gained so much experience in the entertainment industry, he went on to start his own movie production company called “Untamed Production” in the year 2007. Soon after he also launched a music label called “Untamed Records.”
The talented superstar did not take long to release his first album with one of his songs from the album Who Am I? Making waves in the industry. He featured top artists like Tuface Idibia and Nigerian legend Late Sound Sultan in his debut album.
Jim Iyke has also done really well as a film producer. He has produced some good movies in London like 2 Dollarz (a sequel to 1 Dollar), Shades of White, and many more, staring top international actresses like Judy Shekoni and Tangerine Martins.
Jim Iyke’s career has been decorated, and for two decades now he has remained consistent in the industry playing and fitting into different roles for different movies. He is known for his unique acting style of being the “Bad boy” and “PlayBoy” in different movies has got him so many followers and fans locally and internationally.
He has also won many awards in both home and abroad, his most notable awards include best actor at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, Tenage Choice Awards for the best actor in leading roles (He won it a record three times), best actor at the African Achievement, and Best Lead Actor Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2010.
Jim Iyke was a talking point in a controversial video of his purported deliverance at the Synagogue Church of All Nations which was conducted by the late Pastor T.B. Joshua. The video showed the deliverance of Jim Iyke from an evil spirit which confessed that it was behind Jim Iyke’s inability to get married.
Jim Iyke Net Worth
Jim Iyke became the richest actor in 2020 with a net worth amounting to over 30 million U.S. dollars. His net worth is still expected to increase subsequently given that he has a host of other businesses and investments to his name.