GALLERY: Local star paves his way through the acting world

Actor Francois Jacobs (26) will soon produce an autobiographical film based on his experience with his father during a trip around Africa on motorcycles.

Jacobs, born and raised in Nelspruit but now a Northcliff resident, said he was never convinced he would make acting his full time career but once the acting bug bit, he could not get enough.

He started attending drama classes as the age of 13 but said he was only inspired after watching numerous plays at the well known festival Innibos.

Jacobs explained his father tried pushing him into a business career, but once he complied with his father’s conditions of showing face on TV and being accepted at several universities, his father finally agreed to support Jacobs in his decision.

“I started by selling cars but that did not prevent me from pursuing my career. I used the floor as my stage and I was brilliant at it. I could sell ice to an eskimo,” he said.

Jacobs’ first appearance on screen was during the film Hopeville, where he only had one line.

After working behind the scenes at e.tv, Jacobs landed his major big roll on TV in the soap opera Binnelanders. He then starred in different theatre productions until he landed a job at Donkerland.

Later he acted in 7de Laan, Pad na jou hart and Hollywood in my Huis.

He then starred in the reality show Top Actor SA and finished third.

“At this stage I had experienced theatre, film, reality, soap operas and mini series. I found that my passion lies in films,” he said.

Jacobs will also be starring in his first ever lead roll in the new film Land of Milk and Money that will be released on 17 November.

Jacobs is positive and excited about his future.

He said that he loves being an actor because it is exciting and he must continually change his performances to play different roles.