Late actor N!xau Toma earned just $300 for iconic film role
Unexpected earnings for N!xau Toma in 1980 comedy film role
The film industry can be unpredictable, as one actor learned in an unexpected way. While some actors earn millions before stepping on set, late actor N!xau Toma received just $300 for his role in Jamie Uys’ comedy, *The Gods Must Be Crazy*.
This 1980 film tells the tale of a South African tribe who stumble upon a glass Coca-Cola bottle, mistakenly believing it to be a divine gift after it falls from an airplane. The bottle’s sudden appearance leads to chaos as everyone attempts to claim it.
The tribe’s leader, Xi (played by Toma), embarks on a humorous quest to return the bottle and restore peace, taking him on a journey to the ‘end of the world’. Along the way, he encounters a biologist (Marius Weyers), a new village school teacher (Sandra Prinsloo), and a group of guerrilla fighters.
They paid this man only $300 for his role in a film that generated well over $60 Million. pic.twitter.com/1m8nUYyxhe
— NO CONTEXT WILL DIE (@ContextDie) January 25, 2024
Despite Toma’s central role, his compensation was meagre. Director Uys handed him $300 for the first ten days of filming, but Toma didn’t grasp the currency’s value. It was said he let the notes drift away in the wind, after which he was compensated with 12 cattle instead. Post-filming, he received $100 monthly and $20,000 was added to a trust account in his name.
Hailing from Namibia, Toma was part of the Bushmen community, an Indigenous hunter-gatherer group. Fluent in Jul’hoan, Otjiherero, and Tswana, his role in The Gods Must Be Crazy marked his first venture outside his community.
Filming occurred in Namibia and Botswana, with Toma reportedly flown home to Tsumkwe in the Namibian Kalahari every few weeks to ease cultural adjustments. Toma passed away in his late fifties in 2003, with his death confirmed by local police.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AframNews explores how Nxau Toma, an actor from Namibia’s San community, was paid only $300 for “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” highlighting economic inequality and cultural exploitation in the film industry.(read more)
- LadBible: Nxau Toma, a Bushmen actor, was paid £235 upfront for his role in “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” highlighting exploitation despite the film’s £70 million success.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How much was N!xau Toma paid for his role in *The Gods Must Be Crazy*?
N!xau Toma was paid $300 initially, later receiving 12 cattle and $100 monthly.
What is *The Gods Must Be Crazy* about?
The film is about a tribe mistaking a Coca-Cola bottle for a divine gift, causing chaos.
Where was *The Gods Must Be Crazy* filmed?
The film was shot in Namibia and Botswana.
What languages could N!xau Toma speak?
He was fluent in Jul’hoan, Otjiherero, and Tswana.
When did N!xau Toma pass away?
N!xau Toma passed away in his late fifties in 2003.
