James Ikechukwu Esomogha is his real name, but widely known and addressed as Jim Iyke as his stage name.
He is a renowned Nigerian actor, producer, director, a model, television personality and a philanthropist.
Jim was born on the 25th of September 1976 in Libreville, Gabon to a Nigerian parents Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Esomugha, whose originality is from Enugu Agidi town in Anambra State, in south eastern part of Nigeria. He is the only boy of family of eight children.
Educational Background
Jim had his primary and secondary education in Anambra state. After obtaining his first and secondary school certificates respectively, he proceeded to the University of Jos where he obtained a diploma in Banking and Finance and later a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy also from the same University.
After graduation, Jim relocated to Lagos to pursue a career in acting. However, the journey was not smooth as he met with challenges that almost ruined his life and career as an actor.
As fate would always have it, one Barrister Victor Opurum, a Lagos based Lawyer came to his rescue, having identified the wealth of talents in him and encouraged him to continue his pursuit in acting career.
Jim summoned up courage and by dint of hard work and humility, he rose to the top in acting career. Today, he is one of the most successful and talked about actors in Nollywood.
Acting Career
Jim joined the Nigerian Movie industry in 2001 and has starred in over 100 movies. He featured in a hit movie “Last Flight to Abuja”, a movie that brought him fame and recognition alongside top Nollywood stars like Kanayo O Kanayo, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Ngozi Ezeonu, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and several other celebrities.
Jim Iyke is such a talented actor, skillful and exceptionally gifted in acting and interpreting movie roles. Besides he can fit into any character assigned him by movie producers and directors in the industry.
Some of his movies include: American Driver, When Love Comes Around, Between Kings and Queens, And Then There was You, Last Flight to Abuja and several others.
Awards
Jim Iyke in his years of acting career, has won several prestigious awards including:
· Best actor in Nigeria at Best of Nollywood.
· Best actor of the year Mode Men Award 2010
· Best African actor (NET) Awards.
· African Achievement awards by African Movie Academy Awards
· A Three-time winner of the Teenager Choice Awards.
As part of his philanthropic gestures, Jim set up a foundation known as Jim Iyke Foundation for children with special disabilities in Nigeria. This, he said was his little contribution to charity project in the country.
He also visited Kenya in December 2012 to give strong support for the make a change campaign charity project founded by one Christopher Grey and Jamaican Dance-Hall artist Cecile.
His Personal Life
Jim Iyke has met with series of setback relationships in his quest to marry his real love. His long relationship with a Ghanian actress Nadria Buari crashed after few months. Again, he had another relationship with Keturah Hamilton, a Jamaican model, he met in the United States of America during one of his movie activities there ended up in fiasco.
Jim Iyke is seen welcoming a baby boy recently. Congratulations!
His Net Worth
Jim Iyke has been described by many as a true Nollywood legend, rated one of the richest, most talented and most influential with a net worth of about $8 million dollars.