Nǃxau was born on December 16, 1944. Namibian film. Find out who shares their birthday.
Nǃxau's story shows how a single film can carry a man to an international audience. Before casting he had little experience beyond his home, so fame arrived with almost no preparation. Part of his income went on a new brick home for his family, equipped with piped water and electricity. Yet he returned to farming rather than staying in the film world. He negotiated much more for the sequel than for the first film, which suggests he learned quickly. He remains one of Namibia's best-known screen performers.
Key Milestones
1980: Starred as Xixo in The Gods Must Be Crazy
1996: Appeared on the Japanese TV show Sekai Ururun Taizaiki
2000: Was baptised as a Seventh-day Adventist
2003: Died of multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis
Last reviewed: October 2026
Nǃxau was born in Tsumkwe on 16 December 1944.
He took the role of the Kalahari Bushman Xixo in The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) and in several sequels.
He belonged to the ǃKung people and spoke Juǀʼhoan, Otjiherero and Tswana fluently, along with some Afrikaans.
Once his film career was over, he went back to Namibia and grew maize, pumpkins and beans.
Born: 16 December 1944 · Died: 5 July 2003 · Age: 58
When is Nǃxau's birthday? Nǃxau's birthday is December 16. He was born on December 16, 1944 in Tsumkwe, Namibia.
How old was Nǃxau when he died? Nǃxau died on July 5, 2003, aged 58.
Who shares a birthday with Nǃxau? Famous people who share Nǃxau's December 16 birthday include Ludwig van Beethoven, Jane Austen, Arthur C. Clarke, Wassily Kandinsky and Margaret Mead.
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