Leon Schuster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Schuster
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Schuster (c. 2001)
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| Born | 21 May 1951 Vereeniging, South Africa
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse(s) | Lalie Schuster (div. 1999) |
Leon Ernest "Schucks" Schuster (born 21 May 1951) is a famous South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, prankster and singer. He is well-known for his funny movies and songs.
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Leon Schuster's Early Life
Leon Schuster loved making films from a young age. He and his brother often played jokes on their family and filmed them. He once shared that he enjoyed watching old comedy stars like Laurel and Hardy.
Schuster also loved acting out scenes and playing pranks. He even tricked his grandma into thinking he had hurt himself, using tomato sauce for fake blood! He says playing pranks is just part of who he is.
He studied for a degree at the University of the Orange Free State. There, he played rugby for the university's main team. After university, he worked as a teacher for two years.
Schuster's Entertainment Career
Leon Schuster started his career at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). He created a radio show called Vrypostige Mikrofoon. On this show, he would change his voice and play phone pranks on people.
Music Career Highlights
In 1982, Schuster began making music. His first album, Leon Schuster, sold 10,000 copies. His second album, Broekskeur, sold over 40,000 copies.
Later, his album Briekdans and Leon Schuster – 20 Treffers sold more than 270,000 copies. His hit CD Hier Kom Die Bokke won an award for being the best-selling CD in 1995.
His album Gatvol in Paradise sold over 125,000 copies. It also featured the popular song "Gautengeleng."
Filmmaking Success
Schuster's first movie was You Must Be Joking! He made it with Johan Scholtz and Elmo de Witt. This film became very popular in South Africa.
It led to a sequel called You Must be Joking! Too. These movies were like "candid camera" shows, where hidden cameras filmed funny pranks.
Schuster made many more prank films and funny slapstick movies. His most successful film was Mr Bones. It earned more than R33 million at the South African box office.
In 2011, it was announced that Walt Disney Company would help fund his movie Mad Buddies. They also helped distribute and market the film. The movie was released in 2012 and starred Schuster with Kenneth Nkosi.
Schuster's Comedic Style
Leon Schuster believes people like his comedy because they expect trouble when he is around. He says they enjoy watching him play pranks and take risks.
In 2018, Schuster said he was sorry for using "blackface" in his films. Blackface is when a non-Black person paints their face to look like a Black person, often in a way that is offensive and based on harmful stereotypes.
He explained that he can no longer make movies like Mama Jack 2 because of this. He said that people, especially on social media, told him that blackface is wrong. He listened to them and agreed it is racist.
Films Removed from Showmax
On 19 June 2020, the South African streaming service Showmax removed some of Schuster's films. They said the content was "racially insensitive." This happened during the time of the Black Lives Matter protests, which brought more attention to racial issues.
Schuster said he was "shocked" by this. He felt his work was "innocent" and just about "pranking people." Later, one of his films, Frank and Fearless (2018), was put back on Showmax after a review.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Gross | Soundtrack Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | You Must Be Joking! | Schucks | ||
| 1987 | You Must Be Joking! Too | Schucks | R43 Million | |
| 1989 | Oh Schucks...It's Schuster! | Schucks | ||
| 1990 | Oh Schucks...! Here Comes U.N.T.A.G. (aka Kwagga Strikes Back) | Kwagga Robertse | ||
| 1991 | Sweet 'n Short | Sweet Coetzee | Clarke/Bremer Performed by Adult Art | |
| 1993 | There's a Zulu On My Stoep (aka Yankee Zulu) | Rhino Labuschagne | ||
| 1997 | Panic Mechanic | Schucks | ||
| 1999 | Millennium Menace | Schucks | R40 million | In Love With You sang by Dana Winner |
| 2001 | Mr Bones | Bones | R33 million | |
| 2004 | Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol | Schucks | ||
| 2005 | Mama Jack | Jack Theron Mama Bolo Donald |
$4.4 million | |
| 2008 | Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past | Bones | R35 million | Theme song music & performed by Don Clarke |
| 2010 | Schuks Tshabalala's Survival Guide to South Africa | Schuks Tshabalala | Schuster/Clarke, performed by Crutchmullets | |
| 2012 | Mad Buddies | Boetie | ||
| 2013 | Schuks! Your Country Needs You | Schucks | Don Clarke | |
| 2015 | Schuks! Pay Back The Money | Schucks | Don Clarke | |
| 2018 | Frank and Fearless | Frank | Nic Paton and Don Clarke | |
| 2022 | Mr Bones 3: Son of Bones | Bones |
Discography
Albums
- 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)
- Rugby (1985)
- You Must Be Joking! (1986)
- Dasiefoutie (1988)
- "Shakin" Schuster En Sy Opkikkers (1992)
- Hie' Kommie Bokke (1995)
- Gautvol in Paradise (1997)
- Die Vrypostige Mikrofoon, Volume 1 (1998)
- Die Vrypostige Mikrofoon, Volume 2 (1998)
- Baas Funny Plaas (1999)
- Springbok Rugby Hits - Bring it Home (1999)
- My Beste Jare (2001)
- My Mates – Die Bokke(2001)
- Groen, Goud En White (2002)
- Catchup Song And Every Cricket Hit (2003) CD released 2005
- Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol (2004)
- Op Dun Eish (2006)
- Hie' Kommie Bokke 2! (2007)
- Dra Die Bok (2008)
Singles
- 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
- Hey, Bokke! (2019) With Don Clarke, performed with Drakondale Girls' Choir and Michaelhouse Choir Digital
See also
In Spanish: Leon Schuster para niños
