AKA: Jacobus Johannes Uys
Nationality: South African
Birthdate: 05/30/1921
Birthplace: Boksburg, South Africa
Death Date: 01/29/1996
One of South Africa's most prolific and prominent filmmakers, Uys gained worldwide attention with "The Gods Must Be Crazy" (1981), a comedy about African cultural clashes which became the highest-grossing foreign film of its time when released in the US in 1984. He attempted to repeat his success with "The Gods Must Be Crazy II" (1989) but attracted fewer filmgoers, and more criticism for his stereotypical racial portraits. Uys, who also directed the documentaries "Animals Are Beautiful People" and "Beautiful People" (both 1974), died of a heart attack in January 1996.
Worked as a teacher in Boksburg
1950
Directed, produced, wrote, shot, edited and co-stared (with wife, Hettie) in first feature, "Daar Doer in Die Bosveld" (shot in 16mm)
1964
Filmed only overseas production, "Kill All the Way to Paris"
1981
Wrote, directed and co-starred in "The Gods Must Be Crazy" (the highest-grossing foreign film when released in the US in 1984)
