Leon Ernest Schuster, better known by his stage name “Schucks”, is an accomplished South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, practical joker and singer.
His works are widely recognized and loved by South African audiences.
Shuster influenced the entertainment industry with his unique sense of humor and storytelling.
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- Full name: Leon Ernest Schuster
- Stage name: Schucks
- Date of Birth: May 21, 1951
- Age: 73
- Birthplace: Vereeniging
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, prankster and singer.
- Height: 1.83 m
- Parent: Jessie Schuster
- Siblings: 1, Ottoh L Schuster
- Former spouses: Lalie Schuster, Leané du Plessis and Amanda Coetzee
- Children: 4, Leande Schuster, Ernest Schuster, Lelani Schuster and Rachelle Schuster.
- Relationship: Divorced
- Net worth: $3 million
Early life and education
Shukes, also known as Leon Shuster, is a South African comedian and film producer who was born on May 21, 1951 in Vereeniging. He was raised by his mother, Jessie Shuster, as the media did not know his father’s name. He grew up with one sibling, Otto L. Shuster, and is of African descent and Christian faith.
Shuster attended the University of the Orange Free State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and played football for the school. He later returned to his alma mater, Jim Fouché High School, where he taught for two years before pursuing a career in comedy and filmmaking.
Profession
Really! He is a South African comedian and filmmaker with a prolific career spanning decades. From his early days at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), where he created the popular radio series “Vrypostige Mikrofoon”, to his successful albums and numerous hit films,
Schuster was a household name in South Africa and other countries. He was known for his clever pranks and practical jokes, often using sound disguises and hidden cameras to capture the reactions of unsuspecting victims.
Schuster’s work has won him numerous accolades, including the prestigious FNB Sama Music Award for his album Hier Kom Die Bokke. His ability to use humor to make people laugh and connect with others has made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Shuster’s film career has been both successful and varied. His first film was the 1993 comedy Yankee Zulu, which showcased his talent for slapstick humor and candid camera pranks. However, his most successful film was the 2001 comedy Mr. Bones, which was a South African box office hit and spawned multiple sequels.
These films showcased Shuster’s versatility as an actor, as he played a variety of characters and pulled off elaborate pranks. He also appeared in several other films such as Mama Jack, Shukes! Your Country Needs You and Frank and the Fearless, cementing his status as a beloved comedian and actor in South Africa.
Shukes is a beloved South African icon who has had a major impact on the country’s entertainment industry. He began his career on the radio show Free Mic before finding huge success in the film industry with hits such as Yankee Zulu and Bones.
His unique brand of humor, including slapstick, candid camera pranks and satirical portrayals of South African society, resonated with audiences and cemented his status as a cultural icon. Shuster’s work also helped to shape and comment on South African culture, making him a key figure in the country’s entertainment industry.
Awards and nominations
- South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA): Best Actor in a Drama Film for Mama Jack (2007)
Nominations:
- Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a Feature Film (multiple nominations)
Social media.
- Instagram: @official_leon_schuster
- Facebook account: Leon Schuster
- Twitter: @SchuksSchuster
Personal life
Shux is known for his love of filmmaking and comedy, which has become a big part of his life. He also loves music and has released several albums. Despite Shux’s successful career, his personal life has been full of ups and downs.
He lived happily with his wife Lalie, with whom he had four children, until they divorced in 1999. The Bones actor then dated a much younger woman, Leané du Plessis, and in 2014 he began dating 40-year-old real estate agent Amanda Coetzee.
However, their relationship did not last and the two split in 2021. Schuster is now a single man and the father of four children, whom he raises with his ex-wife: Leande Schuster, Ernest Schuster, Lelani Schuster, and Rachelle Schuster.
Discography
Album:
- Leon Schuster
- Brooks Cole
- Brickdams
- Leon Shuster – 20 Treffers
- Kom Dee Booker
- Gatwal in Paradise
singles:
Many singles, including the popular unofficial song of Gauteng, “Gautengeleng”.
Filmography:
Film:
- Hoo Hoo! Your country needs you
- Pay me back.
- Frank and fearless
- Mr. Bones 3: Children of Bones
- And much more…
net worth
Shukes is an accomplished South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, prankster and singer.
His net worth is estimated at $3 million, making him one of South Africa’s most successful entertainers. His humorous and often controversial films and pranks have earned him a large and loyal following.
