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Leon Schuster, South Africa 2001 Photo by Mangwanani

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Leon Schuster

Leon Ernest “Schuks” Schuster who was born on 21st May 1951 is a South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, presenter and singer.Schuster began working for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

During his time at the SABC, he created the Afrikaans radio series Vrypostige Mikrofoon with Fanus Rautenbach 鈥� which involved disguising his voice and playing phone pranks on unsuspecting victims.Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about him;

1.He was drawn to the filmmaking process at an early age

Leon Schuster, South Africa 2001 Photo by Mangwanani

Schuster was drawn to the filmmaking process at an early age. As a child he and his brother would play practical jokes on his family and film it. He explained that he loved pranking and termedbit as his nature in one of the intervies.

He also explained that he never thought he could become a movie star and called himself a local outjie that likes to entertain people. In 2012, Schuster starred opposite funnyman Kenneth Nkosi in Mad Buddies and the film was very successful at the South African Box office

2.He is also a musician and started his music career in 1982

He is also a musician and started his music career in 1982 when he was approached by Decibel Records to compile a series of sports songs which resulted in his first record entitled, Leon Schuster, having sold 10,000 units. His second album, Broekskeur (‘trouser-tearing’), sold in excess of 40,000 units.

This was then followed by Briekdans and Leon Schuster 鈥� 20 Treffers, which sold more than 270,000 copies.His hit CD Hier Kom Die Bokke (‘Here Come The Boks’) garnered an FNB Sama Music Award for Biggest Selling CD of 1995. His following CD, Gatvol in Paradise, sold in more than 125,000 units and gave rise to the unofficial Gauteng anthem, “Gautengeleng”.

3.He made his film debut in a movie dubbed “You Must Be Joking”

Leon Schuster, South Africa 2001 Photo by Mangwanani

Schuster’s first feature, You Must Be Joking!  produced in collaboration with Johan Scholtz and Elmo de Witt, became popular with South African audiences and gave rise to the sequel You Must be Joking! Too.These films were candid camera sketches and Schuster made many more of these films as well as slap-stick films.

Some of his other films include ; Mr Bones, his most successful film, which earned more than R33 million at the South African box office.On 16 September 2011 it was reported that Schuster’s next movie, Mad Buddies, would be partly financed by the Walt Disney Company, which would also handle the distribution and marketing of the film. It was a hit at the South African box office. 

4.He has also been involved in controversies

He has also been involved in controversies including;On 19 June 2020, South African streaming service Showmax removed over six of Schuster’s films, citing his content as being “racially insensitive”, considering he has used blackface in many of his films for “comedic effect”.

This came during the heightened Black Lives Matter protests. Schuster reacted, saying he was “shocked” and “can’t believe that the content of his films does any harm”. He said his work is “innocent” and just him “pranking people”.Frank and Fearless (2018) was returned to the circuit after review.

5.He has released numerous albums and singles 

He has released numerous albums and singles including ; Wat Kan Lekkerder Wees – Vinyl album with Cora Marie, Leon Schuster (1982) Re-released on CD in 1993, Broekskeur (1983), Waar En Wolhaar (1983) Re-released 2009 EMI Music South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Briekdans (1984) and You Must Be Joking! (1986). 

Singles include; Hou Jou Bek (Dolce/Schuster) / Ek Was Op Jou Troue (Robinson/Schuster/Rautenbach) (1981), She Sells Sea Shells / Dis Lekker Innie Army (1982) 7″ single on vinyl and Hey, Bokke!(2019) With Don Clarke, performed with Drakondale Girls’ Choir and Michaelhouse Choir Digital. 

6.He was a teacher before he became a professional actor 

He went to Ho毛rskool Jim Fouch茅 highschool in Bloemfontein before joining University of Orange Free State where he got Bachelors degree in Education. He was also a rugby during his time in the University. He taught at his former school the Hierskool Jim Fouche before he ventured in his career as an actor. 

Rugby features prominently in a lot of his movies and music, so it’s not surprising to learn that he was an avid rugby player in his youth.He was among the best though he did not go that deeper into the sport to make it a profession. 

7.During his early days of filming celebrities unwilling to be part of the comedic action

During his early days of filming his candid camera films, celebrities were more often than not unwilling to be part of the comedic action. These days his films are packed with well-known names,Schuster is well-respected and admired in South Africa.

He was rated at number 43 in SABC’s greatest South Africans poll for his comedic work.He is one of the best actors South Africa has ever produced and he is one of the most sought actors from South Africa. He is also rated highly in the world of comedy. 

8.He has released numerous movies in his career 

He has released numerous movies in his career including; You Must Be Joking, You Must Be Joking Too, Oh Schucks… It’s Schuster,  Panic Mechanic, Yankee Zulu, Millennium Menace, Mr. Bones and Mama Jack. 

Others include; Mr Bones 2: Back From The Past (2008), Mad Buddies (2012), Schuks! Your Country Needs You (2013), Schuks! Pay back The Money (2015), Frank and Fearless (2018), Mr Bones 3 (2022) and many more

9.His net worth is around $3million

Leon Schuster is one if the most famous people born on 21 May and is also a member of famous actors with the age 70 years old group. He one of the Richest Actor who was born in South Africa.Leon Schuster is also one of the richest Movie Actor & listed on most popular Movie Actor.He got most of his wealth from his profession as an actor. 

His net worth is around $3million. His hit CD Hier Kom Die Bokke also garnered an FNB Sama Music Award for Biggest Selling CD of 1995. His following CD, 鈥淕atvol in Paradise鈥�, sold in more than 125,000 units and gave rise to the unofficial Gauteng anthem, 鈥淕autengeleng鈥�.

10.He was married to Lalie Schuster

He was married to Lalie Schusterand they were blessed with four children (a 30-year-old, a 28-year-old and 22-year-old twins).There marriage however ended in 1999. He was divorced because of cheating on several incidents. 

His father’s name was Giacomo Rossi-Stuart while that of him mom was Aud Egede-Nissen and his only brother was Ottoh L Schuster. He was only 24 Years old when he started his career as Actor. He is currently one of the most successful actors in the world.