ACTOR LENNY JUMA REVEALS HOW MUCH HE WAS PAID ON TOMB RAIDER 2 STARRING ALONGSIDE ANGELINA JOLIE

Veteran Kenyan actor Lenny Juma has opened up about his experience working on the 2003 blockbuster Lara Croft: Tomb Raider–The Cradle of Life, where he starred alongside Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie. 

In a recent interview with Cheptoek Boyo on Buzz Central Podcast, Juma shared insights into his time on set and his payment for the role. Juma, who played the role of an elder in the film, revealed that he was paid $3,000 (Sh475,796) for two days of shooting. While the opportunity to work on a major Hollywood production was a milestone in his career, Juma expressed mixed feelings about the compensation.

“I earned more in casting than in stirring,” Juma said. “It was not good money, especially since my scene with Angelina Jolie was what advertised the movie to the whole world.”

The actor, known for his extensive work in Kenyan theatre and film, also reflected on the challenges African actors face in the global film industry. “I was not a small name, but you know, if you are an African, it’s just like our presidents kneeling before Western presidents,” he remarked.

Juma also shared his impressions of Angelina Jolie, describing her as a “nice lady” but noted that she was heavily protected on set. “It’s not easy to talk to her,” he said. However, he praised her humanitarian efforts, recalling how Jolie sought to donate boreholes to the Pokot community in Kenya after learning about the challenges faced by women who walked 20 miles to fetch water.

“They asked me what the people needed, I told them and they talked to Blue Sky Films, and the money was directed through them.” Despite the challenges, Juma’s role in Tomb Raider remains a significant highlight in his career. His portrayal of an elder, complete with a fly whisk prop, added authenticity to the film’s African setting. However, he humorously noted that he was not allowed to move the whisk around until the cameras were rolling.