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Veteran comedian and filmmaker Leon Schuster has revealed that he is battling depression and loneliness, sparking an outpouring of support from South Africans who grew up watching his movies.
The 73-year-old entertainer, known for classics like Mr Bones and Zulu on My Stoep, opened up in kykNET’s documentary series “Schuster”, where he spoke candidly about the challenges of ageing, living alone, and coming to terms with declining health.
Schuster, who has undergone two failed back surgeries and relies on pain medication, described how the physical pain has deepened his emotional struggles. “On Sunday evenings, when the sun goes down, I get depressed,” he admitted in the documentary. “That’s why I try to have my kids visit me on a Sunday. We braai until I go to bed. It helps. It keeps me from thinking too much.”
The veteran entertainer, who was once one of South Africa’s highest-grossing filmmakers, said that while he remains proud of his career, the solitude that comes with fame and age has been difficult. “If no one visits me, I sit on my stoep and think about life. That’s not a good thing,” he said quietly. “One should be busy.”
Schuster, who divorced his wife Lalie in 1999, revealed that he still struggles with the loneliness that followed the separation. “To grow old alone is my biggest fear,” he confessed. The actor has four children — Leande, Ernest, Lelani, and Rachelle — and six grandchildren, who he says are his greatest joy and motivation to keep going.
His honesty in the documentary has resonated deeply with fans across generations, many of whom see him as a symbol of laughter and unity in South Africa’s post-apartheid years. Known for his fearless, often controversial pranks and comedies, Schuster’s work defined an era of South African entertainment that brought people together across racial and cultural divides.
But behind the humour, the documentary reveals a man wrestling with isolation — a familiar struggle for many who have reached the later stages of life.
Social media erupted in empathy after kykNET shared a clip from the show on Thursday. Fans flooded the comments with messages of love, gratitude, and concern.
“No Leon Schuster slander will ever be tolerated in my family,” wrote one fan. “This man deserves happiness after the joy he’s brought to all our childhoods.”
“Leon, I will come and braai with you anytime,” another commented warmly.
Others admitted that they understood his feelings all too well. “I agree 100%. Sunday evenings are also a depression trigger for me,” wrote one viewer. Another added, “Most times comedians are the loneliest people. They make others laugh while they’re dying inside.”
For decades, Schuster has been a national treasure. His slapstick humour, hidden-camera pranks, and fearless political satire have drawn millions to cinemas, often making him one of the most successful filmmakers in the country. At the height of his career, he was reportedly worth R50 million, with movies that broke local box office records.
Yet fame, he admits, did not shield him from the quiet pain of being alone. “People think because you’ve made movies, you have it all together,” he said. “But when the lights go off and everyone goes home, it’s just you — and that silence can be loud.”
Close friends have also spoken publicly about Schuster’s mental health. Musician Don Clarke, who has known him for years, said, “I spoke to him just yesterday. He’s a dear friend. He has always suffered from depression.”
The revelations have also reignited broader conversations about mental health among public figures — particularly older men, who are often reluctant to speak about loneliness or emotional pain. Experts say that retirees and ageing entertainers are especially vulnerable, as they transition from public attention to private isolation.
Mental health advocates have praised Schuster’s openness, saying it helps to break the stigma surrounding depression in South Africa’s entertainment industry. “When someone like Leon speaks up, it reminds others that it’s okay to struggle — and it’s okay to seek help,” said one mental health organisation in response to the documentary.
Schuster’s story also mirrors a growing issue worldwide: loneliness among older adults. Studies show that social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking or obesity, leading to depression, cognitive decline, and even early death.
Despite the challenges, Schuster remains optimistic. He continues to spend time with his family whenever possible and still enjoys watching rugby, a sport he’s loved since his youth. “I just want to stay busy, to keep laughing, and to keep people laughing,” he said.
As South Africans continue to share messages of love, it’s clear that Leon Schuster’s impact goes far beyond comedy. For many, his films were not just entertainment — they were a source of connection, laughter, and unity in difficult times.
And now, as he faces his own struggles, the country that he made laugh for decades is rallying to lift him up in return.
“He gave us joy,” one commenter wrote. “Now it’s our turn to remind him that he’s not alone.”
