The 10 wealthiest actors and actresses in South Africa presently. Film and movies, and indeed the entertainment industry as a whole can be a money-spinner. This is one industry where the cream always rises to the top because a good film will literally be preached among friends and family, bringing money and fame to all those involved.

In South Africa, the talents are certainly there, and the market has emerged to bring South African screen stars the wealth and fame that is due to their talent. So who are the richest actors and actresses in South Africa at the moment? Who are those that have made the best use of their talents to rake in money by the millions?

In this article, we highlight the richest actors in South Africa, as well as talk a little about their journeys to greatness.

Top 10 Richest Actors in South Africa & Actresses

• 1. Charlize Theron

Net Worth: $160 million.

Charlize Theron is a South African and American actress and producer. One of the world’s highest-paid actresses, Theron is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

In 2016, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Theron came to international prominence in the 1990s. She played the leading lady in the Hollywood films The Devil’s Advocate in 1997 and has since featured in many international movies including Monster where she acted as Silent Wuornos the serial killer in 2003 for which she won the Silver Bear and Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first South African to win an Oscar in an acting category. Charlie Theron is the wealthiest actress in South Africa with a net worth of $160 million.

• 2. Trevor Noah

Net worth: $40 million

Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is the host of The Daily Show, an American satirical news program on Comedy Central.

Born in Johannesburg, Noah began his career as a comedian, television host, and actor in South Africa in 2002. He has since had several hosting roles with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and was the runner-up in the fourth season of South Africa’s iteration of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. From 2010 to 2011, he acted as the creator and host of the late-night talk show Tonight with Trevor Noah, which aired on M-Net and DStv.

Noah has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award win from nine nominations. He was named one of “The 35 Most Powerful People in New York Media” by The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Noah has a net worth of $40 million.

• 3. Sharlto Copley

Net Worth: $15 million.

Sharlto Copley is a South African actor. He started his acting career in the early 2000s. Copley has played Wikus van der Merwe in the Academy Award-nominated science fiction film District 9, in the 2010 adaptation of The A-Team, Agent C.M. Kruger in the science fiction film Elysium, James Corrigan in the science fiction horror film Europa Report and King Stefan in the dark fantasy adventure film Maleficent. Apart from acting, Copley has also produced a lot of movies. He is one of the top richest actors in South Africa with a net worth of $15 million.

• 4. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube

Net Worth: $13 million

Sello Maake is a South African actor. He is considered to be one of South Africa’s most esteemed actors and voice actors, having performed in theatre, film and television both in his native land, as well as in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Europe.

In 2008, he narrated a natural history documentary Africa’s Outsiders about unusually pigmented (albino) wild animals, which was aired by Animal Planet.

Notable as the influential Archie Mokola in Generations, Sello’s twenty-five years of acting experience and fame make him the highest-paid actor in the South African entertainment industry hence, he takes home a monthly salary of R100,000 to R120,000.
His net worth is about $13 million.

5. Jamie Bartlett

Net Worth $12 million

James Bartlett (born 9 July 1966) is a South African actor best known for his role as the wicked puppet master, David Genaro on Rhythm City which is a film that has been aired in many African countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Cameroon, Malawi, and Ghana.

He has starred alongside Idris Elba, Anjelina Jolie, and more international stars. The talented actor has hosted SAFTAs and Jozi-H and was once a judge on South Africa’s Got Talent. With a net worth of $12 million, Bartlett is one of the richest actors in South Africa.

• 6. Moshidi Motshegwa

Net Worth is $8 million

Moshidi Motshegwa is a South African actress whose acting career has transformed over the years. She has been in the industry for more than twenty years, and she remains the most sought after actress in South Africa.

She co-starred with an American actor, Taye Diggs, in the movie, Drum ( where she played Florence Nxumalo). She has been a recipient of many South African awards including the Golden Horn Awards for Best Supporting Actress 2006, 2011, and Best Actress in 2019. Moshidi earns R100,000 to R120,000 monthly. Her net worth is $8 million.

• 7. Pearl Thusi

Net Worth: $2 -$3 million.

Pearl Thusi is a South African actress, model, television host, MC, and radio personality. Thusi is known for her portrayal of Patricia Kopong in the BBC/HBO comedy-drama series, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Dayana Mampasi in the ABC thriller Quantico, and Samkelo in the romantic drama film Catching Feelings.

She is one of South Africa’s most influential actresses, she currently stars in the title role of the critically acclaimed Netflix crime drama series Queen Sono, which was Netflix’s first African original.

Pearl is known for her trademark afro and has started her own hairline products. She partnered with Afro-Botanics to create the range. Pearl Thusi’s hair products are still flying off the shelves.

• 8. Lesley-Ann Brandt

Net worth: $2 million.

Lesley-Ann Brandt is a South African actress. Her first significant acting role was in the New Zealand television series Diplomatic Immunity and Spartacus. Brandt has appeared in guest roles on the New Zealand hospital soap opera, Shortland Street, and This Is Not My Life, a science fiction series set in the 2020s in the fictional town of Waimoana.

Since January 2016, she has played the role of Maze (Mazikeen) on the television series Lucifer.
Lesley-Ann Brandt’s net worth is about $2 million.

• 10 Jessica Marais

Net worth: $1.2 million

Jessica Dominique Marais is a South African-born Australian actress best known for her roles on Australian television in Packed to the Rafters and Love Child. She also co-starred in the American drama series Magic City.

Her first success at the Logies was in 2009 when she won the Logie for “Most Popular New Female Talent” and the prestigious Graham Kennedy Award for “Most Outstanding New Talent” for her role on Packed to the Rafters. Also in 2016 Marais won “Most Popular Actress” (for Love Child) and 2017 (for Love Child and The Wrong Girl). The talented Australian-based South African actress has a net worth of about $1.2 million.