Jim Iyke

{{short description|Nigerian actor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox person
| name               = Jim Iyke
| image              = Jim Iyke.jpg
| caption            = Jim Iyke on the set of ''Omambala''
| birth_name         = James Ikechukwu Okolue
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1976|09|25|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Libreville]], Gabon
| education          = Bsc. Philosophy, University of Jos.
| alma_mater         = [[University of Jos]]
| occupation         = Actor
| nationality        = Nigerian
| other_names        = James Ikechukwu Esomugha; James Ikechukwu Okolue
| years_active       = 1998–present
| awards = Net Honors, 2021
| spouse             = 
| URL                = {{URL|jimiykesworld.com}}
}}

'''James Ikechukwu Esomugha{{IPAc-en|audio=Ig-James_Ikechukwu_Esomugha.ogg}}''', popularly known as '''Jim Iyke''' {{Audio|Ig-Jim Iyke.ogg|listen|help=no}} (born 25 September 1976),<ref>{{Cite web |first=Oge |last=Okonkwo |url=https://ynaija.com/aww-love-so-sweet-actress-nadia-buaris-tweets-at-jim-iyke-on-his-birthday-read/|title=Aww, love SO sweet: Actress, Nadia Buari's tweets at Jim Iyke on his birthday |date=2013-09-25|website=YNaija|language=en-GB|access-date=2022-05-08}}</ref> is a Nigerian actor and one of the stars of the movie ''[[Last Flight to Abuja]]''.

==Early life and education==
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,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.naij.com/tag/jim_iyke.html|title=Jim Iyke|work=Naij.com – Nigeria news.|access-date=7 June 2017}}</ref> then earned a diploma in Banking and Finance and a BSc in philosophy from the [[University of Jos]], [[Plateau State]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pulse.ng/movies/jim-iyke-7-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-actor-id4202382.html|title=Jim Iyke: 7 things you probably don"t know about actor|last=Izuzu|first=Chidumga|website=Pulse.ng|access-date=7 June 2017}}</ref>

==Career==
Jim Iyke began acting in 1998. {{As of|2013|10}}, he was one of the highest paid actors in [[Cinema of Nigeria|Nollywood]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/why-jim-iyke-went-to-synagogue/|title=Jim Iyke at The 'Synagugue'|website=The Nation |date=October 1, 2013|access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref> he has appeared in over 150 films. {{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

He started a movie production company, ''Untamed Productions'' in 2007, and also has his own music record label, Untamed Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jimiykesworld.com/untamed/ |title=Untamed Productions |publisher=Jim Iyke's World: Official Website}}</ref> His first album, titled ''Who Am I?'', featured some of Nigeria's top musicians, such as [[2Face Idibia|TuFace Idibia]] and [[Sound Sultan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://waptrick.com/download/Jim-Iyke-Ft-2face/Who-Am-I/?type=P&id=201853&lang=UD|title=Download link for 'Who am I' by Jim Iyke feat Tuface|publisher=Waptrick|access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://xclusive.ng/style-how-i-understand-it/|title=This is STYLE. This is how I understand it - Jim Iyke|date=2017-07-28|website=Xclusive Magazine|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-20}}</ref>

==Controversy==
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.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Much Ado About Jim Iyke's Deliverance at TB Joshua's Synagogue | url = http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/10/much-ado-about-jim-iykes-deliverance-at-tb-joshuas-synagogue/ | work = Daily Independent |location=Nigeria | date = October 1, 2013 | access-date = February 27, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222173049/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/10/much-ado-about-jim-iykes-deliverance-at-tb-joshuas-synagogue/ | archive-date = February 22, 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The spirit reportedly confessed that it was behind Iyke's inability to find a wife.<ref>{{Cite news | first = Ernest Dela | last = Aglanu | title = Jim Iyke Delivered From 'Demonic' Possession at TB Joshua's Church | url = http://entertainment.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201309/113908.php | work = My Joy Online |location=Ghana | date = September 29, 2013 | access-date = February 27, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140209030206/http://entertainment.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201309/113908.php | archive-date = February 9, 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

== Personal life ==
In April 2019, he announced the birth of his son.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punchng.com/nollywood-actor-jim-iyke-poses-with-son/|title=Nollywood actor Jim Iyke poses with son|website=Punch Newspapers|date=21 April 2019|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref>

==Filmography==
[[File:DJA & JIM IYKE.jpg|thumb|[[DJ Abass]] and Jim Iyke]]
{|class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Director
!Ref
|-
|2010
|''Between Kings and Queens''
|Nnanna
|Joy Dickson
| {{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
|-
|2012
|''[[Last Flight to Abuja]]''
| David
| [[Obi Emelonye]]
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rogersmovienation.com/2020/06/18/netflixable-nigerian-last-flight-to-abuja-covers-the-disaster-pic-checklist/|title=Netflixable? Nigerian "Last Flight to Abuja" covers the disaster pic checklist|first=Roger|last=Moore|date=June 18, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2013
|''And Then There Was You''
|Zuma
|[[Leila Djansi]]
|-
|2014
|''When Love Comes Around''
|{{n/a}}
|Afe Olumowe
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2014-12-19|publisher=Chidumga Izuzu|title='When Love Comes Around' Jim Iyke, Eku Edewor, others star in new movie|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/when-love-comes-around-jim-iyke-eku-edewor-others-star-in-new-movie-id3360504.html|website=Pulse Nigeria}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2016
|[[Stalker (2016 film)|''Stalker'']]
|Michael
|Moses Inwang
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2016-01-17|language=en-US|title=Stalker, Starring Jim Iyke, To Premiere Soon|url=https://guardian.ng/art/stalker-starring-jim-iyke-to-premiere-soon/|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2015-12-07|language=en-US|title=Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe-Etim’s ‘Stalker’ hit cinemas in February 2016|url=https://thenet.ng/jim-iyke-and-nse-ikpe-etims-stalker-hit-cinemas-in-february-2016/|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
|A Star in Heaven
|Kayode
|Afe Olumowe
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-27|language=en|title=A Star in Heaven - Rotten Tomatoes|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_star_in_heaven|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
|2017
|''[[American Driver]]''
|Jim Iyke
|[[Moses Inwang]]
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2016-12-08|language=en-US|title=Comedy movie featuring Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari, Emma Nyra gets release date|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/american-driver-comedy-movie-featuring-jim-iyke-nadia-buari-emma-nyra-gets-release/ntscs52|website=Pulse Nigeria}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2017-02-02|language=en-US|title='American Driver' starring Jim Iyke, AY Makun and Nse Ikpe-Etim set for Nigerian cinemas|url=https://thenet.ng/american-driver-starring-jim-iyke-ay-makun-and-nse-ikpe-etim-set-for-nigerian-cinemas/|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
|2018
|''[[Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons]]''
|Naz
|[[Toka McBaror]]
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|title=Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt9837502/fullcredits}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |2019
|Dead rite
|N/A
|Tope Alake
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|language=en-GB|title=Jim Iyke - nlist {{!}} Nollywood, Nigerian Movies & Casting|url=https://nlist.ng//people/jim-iyke-385/|website=nlist.ng}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
|[[The Set Up (2019 film)|The Set-Up]]
|Edem
|[[Niyi Akinmolayan|Niyi Akinmolaya]]
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2019-06-22|language=en-US|last=editor|title=Jim Iyke, Adesua Etomi, Thrill in ‘The Set Up’|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/06/22/jim-iyke-adesua-etomi-thrill-in-the-set-up/|website=THISDAYLIVE}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2019-06-08|language=en-US|title=Adesua Etomi, Jim Iyke, others star in ‘The Set Up’|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/adesua-etomi-jim-iyke-others-star-in-the-set-up/|website=Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2019-06-06|language=en-US|title=Dakore Akande, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Jim Iyke, others star in new film ‘The Set Up’|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/dakore-akande-adesua-etomi-wellington-jim-iyke-others-star-in-new-film-the-set-up/sx3eqxe|website=Pulse Nigeria}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
|[[Merry Men 2|Merry Men 2: Another Mission]]
|Naz
|[[Moses Inwang]]
|<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2019-12-04|language=en-US|title=Olamide gets a cameo appearance in ‘Merry Men’ sequel as AY releases official trailer|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/ay-releases-merry-men-2-official-trailer/y7c1kz4|website=Pulse Nigeria}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-11-17|title=Merry Men 2 (2019) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt11417930/fullcredits}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
|-
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Result
!Ref
|-
|2021
|[[Net Honours]]
|Most Searched Actor
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Net Honours - The Class of 2021|url=https://thenet.ng/net-honours-class-of-2021/|access-date=2021-09-07|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today|language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=31}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{IMDb name|1651104}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.jimiykefoundation.com/About%20Jim%20Iyke.html|title=Jim Iyke Foundation website}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iyke, Jim}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian male film actors]]
[[Category:People from Libreville]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors]]
[[Category:University of Jos alumni]]
[[Category:Actors from Anambra State]]
[[Category:Igbo actors]]
[[Category:Nigerian film producers]]