Popular Mzansi comedian Leon Schuster built himself a blossoming career as a comedian and prankster. His films made millions of people laugh. As the term “woke” rose to popularity, Schuster faced being “cancelled” by society after he was accused of using blackface to make a profit, something he later admitted to regretting.
On 19 June 2020, South African streaming service Showmax then made the decision to remove over six of his films from the platform citing that they were racially insensitive.
Last year, the Mama Jack movie maker lost his mom and shared a series of touching posts online. But where is he now?
Leon Ernest “Schuks” Schuster, born 21 May 1951, was once one of South Africa’s most celebrated comedians. He is known for his over-the-top pranks and for making people laugh with his bizarre on-screen tactics.
The SA funny guy was born with a flair for making people laugh. He loved pranking family members and enjoyed shows like Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, and The Three Stooges.
Using his natural ability to leave people howling, he has brought South African movies like You Must Be Joking, Oh Schucks it’s Schuster, Mr Bones, and Mama Jack.
While the movies earned him millions of rands and a sterling reputation as SA’s number-one funny guy, things took a turn for Leon who was slammed for his notorious use of blackface.
In 2020 the TV star had over six of his films removed from Showmax following an outcry from social media users who said the movies were “racially insensitive”.
Leon Schuster is a hardcore proven racist. #LeonSchuster pic.twitter.com/rFSXI3ZnoL
— uMagebhula – uSofasonke (@KamvelihleGoba) June 19, 2020
Low key? How is a white man in a black woman’s costume and acting as a maid in a white household lowkey?? Leon Schuster is high key racist. https://t.co/IVXBAWmRV0
— Mapule (@Mapule_xx) April 21, 2017
Speaking about the controversy, Leon admitted to having “some regrets about having profited from blackface.”
In 2022, the star’s Mr Bones 3: Son of Bones hit the cinemas and sold more than 38 000 tickets in its first week. It reportedly made R4.2 million.
Later that year the comedian announced the passing of his mother Jessie Schuster in a heartbreaking post. He also opened up about finding God again after her death.
Since then he has been quiet despite various fake online profiles claiming that he had passed on — something he has also previously spoken out against.
Source: News365.co.za
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