Global Talent Directory

Comedians from Brazil

The comedian directory for Brazil: profiles, bios, photos and social links.

27 comedians

Adoniran Barbosa

Adoniran Barbosa, born João Rubinato on August 6, 1910, in Valinhos, São Paulo, was a Brazilian composer, singer, comedian, and actor. His parents, Ferdinando and Emma Rubinato, were Italian immigrants from Cavarzere. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in São Paulo's culture and artistic production within Brazilian Popular Music (MPB), often referred to as the 'Father of São Paulo samba'. He died on November 23, 1982, in São Paulo. Adoniran Barbosa began working at an early age, falsifying his birth date to do so. Following his relocation to Santo André in 1924, he worked in a diverse range of positions, such as operating looms, painting, plumbing, working with iron, selling goods as a peddler, and serving as a waiter. He studied at a technical school (Liceu de Artes e Ofícios) and learned mechanical assistance. In 1933, he moved to São Paulo and started composing songs and performing in a talent show at Cruzeiro do Sul radio station. He adopted the name 'Adoniran' from a friend and 'Barbosa' after samba composer Luiz Barbosa. He won a Carnaval song contest in 1935 with the samba 'Dona Boa' co-written with J. Aimberê, achieving early recognition. His comedy work on Rádio Record from 1941 to 1972 created popular characters like Pernafina, Zé Cunversa, and Jean Rubinet alongside Osvaldo Moles. He appeared in films Pif-Paf (1945), Caídos do Céu (1946), and O Cangaceiro (1953). Adoniran Barbosa’s music focused on ordinary workers, contrasting with traditional Rio de Janeiro samba's focus on the 'malandro'. He wrote many songs about São Paulo themes, often recorded by Demônios da Garoa. He introduced the character Charutinho in 1955 and released his first solo album in 1973. Songs like “Trem das Onze” (1964), which reached number one in Rio de Janeiro during the 1965 Carnaval festivities, and "Saudosa Maloca" (composed in 1951) became cultural symbols of São Paulo. His work is described as a highly original musical chronicle of life in São Paulo, introducing the ítalo-paulista dialect into Brazilian popular music. Google commemorated his 105th birthday with a Google Doodle on August 6, 2016. He was portrayed by Paulo Miklos in the 2023 film Saudosa Maloca .

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Brazil

Rafael Cortez

Rafael Cortez, born in São Paulo in 1976, is a Brazilian journalist, actor, and comedian. He is also a speaker, master of ceremonies, humorist, journalist, presenter, singer, and YouTuber. His diverse background includes a degree in journalism from PUC-SP, and he began studying music as a classical guitarist in 1994. Early in his career, while still in college, he hosted the live erotic journal '69 Segundos' and worked as a stage assistant for 'Guerra É Guerra' on TV Gazeta in 1997. Cortez’s professional journey includes significant work as a journalist. He spent over four years at Abril Digital and contributed to various media outlets such as CNT, TV Gazeta, and Rede Mulher. In 2007, he received the 32nd Prêmio Abril de Jornalismo for 'Content for Cell Phones'. From 2008 to 2015, he became widely known for his work on the television program 'Custe o Que Custar', initially as a reporter and later as a presenter. During this time, he covered numerous events including the EU-Caribbean-Latin America Heads of State Meeting, the MERCOSUL Summit, the Venice International Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Academy Awards, Formula Indy, and the FIFA World Cup. The show 'Custe o Que Custar' released an independent CD titled 'Elegia da Alma' in 2011, which Cortez also released as a solo album in May of that year. Cortez’s comedic endeavors extend beyond television. He launched his solo comedy show 'De Tudo um Pouco' in 2010 and published the humor book 'Meu Azar com as Mulheres' in 2015. He has also narrated several audiobooks, including works by Machado de Assis and José Mauro de Vasconcellos. His television work includes hosting 'Got Talent Brasil' on Rede Record starting in 2013, 'Dirige Rafa!' on Comedy Central in 2015, and ‘Vídeo Show’ from 2016 to 2017. He participated in 'Super Chef Celebrities' in 2018 and released the EP 'MPB - Naquele Tempo na Casa Natura' in 2019. He maintains an official website and is the brother of actor Leonardo Cortez; he also has a daughter named Nara with Marcela Calhado.

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Brazil

Ronald Golias

José Ronald Golias, known professionally as Ronald Golias, was a Brazilian comedian and actor. He was born on May 4, 1929, in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, to Arlindo Golias and Conceição Bragato, immigrants from Portugal and Italy respectively. Beginning at the age of eight, he performed on stage at the Escola Dante Alighieri in São Carlos. In 1940, Golias moved to São Paulo and worked as a tailor and mechanic while pursuing his interest in swimming; he even joined the aquatic performance group 'Acqua Loucos' and participated in the 'Calouros em Cena' radio program. Before achieving fame as a comedian, Golias held various jobs including working as a tailor assistant and insurance agent. In the 1950s, Manoel de Nóbrega recognized his talent and hired him to work on TV and radio. His first character was 'Pacífico,' who became widely known for the catchphrase 'Ô Cride!' This role led to a cinema career spanning ten films, including 'Um Marido Barra-Limpa' (1967), 'Os Três Cangaceiros' (1959), and 'Golias contra o Homem das Bolinhas' (1969). From 1967 to 1971, he portrayed 'Bronco' in 'A Família Trapo,' a character who lived off his brother-in-law and voiced provocative opinions; Renata Fronzi played Bronco’s sister. Golias continued to evolve his comedic persona, starring in 'Bronco Total' (1972-1973) and 'Golias em 5 Tempos' (1975). He adapted the American series 'Mork & Mindy' as 'Superbronco' in 1979. From the early 1990s until his death, he was a regular cast member of 'A Praça é Nossa,' playing characters such as Pacífico, 'The Master,' 'Isolda,' and 'Professor Bartolomeu Guimarães.' He also starred in his own TV show, 'Meu Cunhado,' from 2004 with Moacyr Franco, though 22 episodes were never aired due to his family's request. Golias was a friend of Renato Aragão and underwent heart surgery in April 2004 before being hospitalized for a brain clot the following month. He died on September 27, 2005, in São Paulo from multiple organ failure following a lung infection.

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