Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who stars in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, donated $193,000 to the church of a woman who believed she was taking part in a documentary but instead was being featured in the mockumentary comedy film.
Jeanise Jones, 62, thought she had been recruited by her place of worship, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, in Oklahoma City to mentor a teenager named "Tutar" who came to the US with her father from a developing nation. But Jones didn't find out until the film was released on Amazon Prime last week that "Tutar" was an actress and the man — whom she believed was the girl's father — was actually Cohen.
Derrick Scobey, the church's senior pastor, said Cohen made the donation. Scobey added that he and other church members also were not aware of the movie.
Scobey said he wasn't surprised by the donation, just the amount, noting that the money had been earmarked for community use, The Oklahoman reported. Scobey added that Cohen knew the church is a community hub where people gather for spiritual hope and help.
A representative for Cohen declined comment when contacted by The Associated Press.
