Here are 7 famous actors from Brazil died at 78:
Joffre Soares (September 21, 1917 Palmeira dos Índios-August 19, 1996 São Paulo) also known as Joffrey Soares, José Jofre Soares or Jofre Soares was a Brazilian actor and military officer.
During his military career, Joffre Soares reached the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring and pursuing his acting career. He began his acting career in the theater in the 1940s, but later transitioned to television and film in the 1950s. Soares appeared in over 70 films throughout his career, including "Black Orpheus" and "The Given Word." He was also a prominent figure in the Brazilian telenovela industry, appearing in popular shows like "Selva de Pedra" and "Irmãos Coragem." Soares was known for his deep, commanding voice and his ability to play tough, authoritative characters. In addition to his acting career, Soares was a successful playwright and screenwriter, with some of his most notable works being "A Revolução dos Sabores" and "A Grande Viagem." He was awarded the Order of Rio Branco for his contributions to Brazilian culture in 1985.
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Grande Otelo (October 18, 1915 Uberlândia-November 26, 1993 Paris) also known as Sebastião Bernardes de Souza Prata, Grande Othelo, Great Otelo or The Little Otelo was a Brazilian actor, composer, singer and comedian. His children are Mário Luiz Prata, Jaciara Prata, José Prata and Carlos Sebastião Prata.
Born in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Grande Otelo began his career in show business by performing in circuses and later moved to Rio de Janeiro where he became a prominent figure in the emerging film industry. He starred in over 120 films throughout his career and was known for his comedic timing and expressive physicality. Some of his most notable roles were in films such as Black Orpheus, where he played the character of Uncle Chico and Macunaíma, where he played the titular character.
Aside from his work in films, Grande Otelo was also a prolific composer and songwriter. He wrote hundreds of songs throughout his career and collaborated with some of the biggest names in Brazilian music such as Dorival Caymmi and Ary Barroso. He was also a talented singer and released several albums over the years.
Despite his success on the stage and screen, Grande Otelo faced discrimination and racism throughout his life. He was an advocate for racial equality and spoke out against discrimination in the entertainment industry. He was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the Brazilian government in 1983 for his contributions to Brazilian culture.
Grande Otelo passed away in Paris in 1993 at the age of 78. His legacy continues today as he is remembered as one of Brazil's most talented and beloved performers.
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Augusto Aníbal (April 5, 1887 Fortaleza-April 5, 1965 Rio de Janeiro) also known as Augusto Aníbal de Almeida was a Brazilian actor and singer.
Augusto Aníbal started his career as a radio announcer in Rio de Janeiro in the 1920s. He then moved on to become a prominent stage actor, appearing in several theater productions and operettas. Aníbal then transitioned into film, acting in over 30 movies throughout his career. He was known for his comedic roles and was a regular in Brazilian cinema during the 1930s and 1940s. Aníbal was also a popular singer and recorded several songs. He continued performing on stage and screen until his death in 1965. Today, he is remembered as one of Brazil's most beloved actors of the early 20th century.
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Wesley Duke Lee (December 21, 1931 São Paulo-September 12, 2010 São Paulo) was a Brazilian actor and set decorator.
He died caused by pulmonary aspiration.
In addition to his work as an actor and set decorator, Wesley Duke Lee was a renowned artist and one of the pioneers of Brazilian contemporary art in the 1960s. He studied at the School of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of São Paulo and co-founded the Grupo Rex, which aimed to create more experimental and interdisciplinary art forms. Lee's works were known for their pop art influences and included paintings, sculptures, and installations. He participated in several exhibitions in Brazil and abroad, including the São Paulo Biennial and the Venice Biennale. Lee continued to be an influential figure in the Brazilian art scene until his death in 2010.
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Nelson Dantas (November 17, 1927 Rio de Janeiro-March 18, 2006 Rio de Janeiro) also known as Nelson Hannequim Dantas Filho or Nélson Dantas was a Brazilian actor. He had two children, Daniel Dantas and Andrea Dantas.
Nelson Dantas had a successful acting career in Brazil and was known for his outstanding performances in stage plays, television series, and films. He began his career in theater in the 1950s and became a popular actor in Brazilian cinema in the 1960s. Some of his notable works include the films Garrincha: Hero of the Jungle, A Trip to the City, and O Rei do Gado.
Dantas also appeared in several TV series throughout his career, including the popular Brazilian telenovelas Roque Santeiro, Saramandaia, and Tieta. His remarkable performances earned him many accolades, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 1987 Festival de Brasília for his role in the film, Fronteira das Almas.
Apart from acting, Dantas was also a founder of the Brazilian Actors' Union and played an important role in the promotion of the arts in the country. He was widely respected for his talent, dedication, and contribution to Brazilian cultural and artistic heritage.
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Arduíno Colassanti (February 15, 1936 Livorno-February 22, 2014 Niterói) a.k.a. Arduino Colasanti was a Brazilian actor and businessperson.
He died in respiratory failure.
Colassanti was born to Italian parents in Livorno, Italy, and moved to Brazil with his family at the age of four. He began his acting career in the 1950s and went on to appear in over 50 films and television shows, including the critically acclaimed films "Pixote" and "Tieta do Agreste." In addition to his acting work, Colassanti was also a successful businessman, owning a chain of jewelry stores in Rio de Janeiro. He was married twice and had three children. In his later years, Colassanti devoted his time to philanthropic work, supporting social and environmental causes in Brazil.
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Luiz Bonfá (October 17, 1922 Rio de Janeiro-January 12, 2001 Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro) also known as Luiz Bonfa, Luis Bonfa, Luiz Floriano Bonfá or Luis Bonfá was a Brazilian actor, composer, musician and film score composer.
He died as a result of cancer.
Bonfá was best known for his role in the development of the Bossa Nova style of music, which gained global popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. He had a successful career as a composer, working on numerous film scores including Black Orpheus, for which he received an Academy Award nomination in 1960.
Born into a musical family, Bonfá began playing guitar at a young age and went on to study at the National School of Music in Rio de Janeiro. He went on to work as a session musician and composer, collaborating with many prominent artists in Brazil.
In addition to his work in music, Bonfá also appeared in several films as an actor. He played a small role in the film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus), which helped to popularize Bossa Nova music around the world.
Bonfá's music continues to be celebrated for its innovative use of Brazilian rhythms and melodies, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary musicians.
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