List of Brazilians

This is a list of well known Brazilians, ordered alphabetically within categories:

Actors

Main article: List of Brazilians actors

• Ana Paula Arósio (1975-), actress
• Antônio Fagundes (1949-), actor
• Bibi Ferreira, actress
• Cacilda Becker (1921-1969), actress
• Denise Fraga (1965-), actress
• Fernanda Montenegro (1929-), actress
• Fernanda Torres (1965-), actress
• Fábio Assunção (1971-), actor
• Grande Otelo (1915-1993), actor
• José Lewgoy (1920-2003), actor
• José Wilker (1945-), actor
• Lima Duarte (1930-), actor
• Malu Mader (1966-), actress
• Carmen Miranda (1909-1955), entertainer
• Marco Nanini (1948-), actor
• Marilia Gabriela (1948-), actress and journalist
• Marilia Pera (1943-), actress
• Matheus Nachtergaele (1969-), actor
• Miguel Falabela (1957-), actor
• Oscarito, actor
• Paulo Autran (1922-), actor
• Procópio Ferreira (1898-1979), actor and theatrical director
• Regina Duarte (1947-), actress
• Reynaldo Gianecchini (1972-), actor
• Rodrigo Santoro (1975-), actor
• Selton Melo (1972-), actor
• Seu Jorge (1970-), entertainer
• Silvia Pfeifer (1958-), actress
• Sônia Braga (1950-), actress
• Tarcisio Meira (1935-), actor
• Taís Araújo (1978-), actress
• Vera Fischer (1951-), actress
• Xuxa (1963-), actress

Architects and urbanists

• Oscar Niemeyer, (1907-), architect of international renown
• Affonso Eduardo Reidy (1909-1964), architect and urban planner, reformer of Rio de Janeiro
• João Batista Vilanova Artigas (1915-1985), architect
• Lúcio Costa (1902-1998), architect and urbanist, creator of Brasília

Artists

Main article: List of Brazilian artists

• Anita Malfatti, painter
• Antonio Francisco Lisboa "O Aleijadinho" (1738-1814), Baroque sculptor
• Cândido Portinari, (1903-1962), painter
• Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, (1897-1976), painter
• Raul Bopp, painter
• Hélio Oiticica, (1937-1980), painter
• Iberê Camargo (1914-1994), painter
• Lygia Clark (1920-1988)
• Lygia Pape (1924-2004)
• Oswaldo Goeldi, (1895-1961), illustrator and engraver
• Tarsila do Amaral, (1886-1973), painter

Diplomats

Main article: List of Brazilian diplomats

• Barão do Rio Branco (1849-1912)
• Joaquim Nabuco (1849-1910)
• Luiz Martins de Souza Dantas
• Oswaldo Aranha
• Rui Barbosa
• Walter Moreira Salles
• Sérgio Vieira de Mello, (1948-2003), UN representative

Film directors

Main article: List of Brazilian directors

• Alberto Cavalcanti (1897-1982), pioneer film-maker
• Anselmo Duarte (1920-), winner of a Cannes Film Festival Palm d'Or
• Bruno Barreto
• Cacá Diegues
• Fernando Meirelles, director of "Cidade de Deus"
• Glauber Rocha (1939-1981)
• Guel Arraes
• Hector Babenco
• Humberto Mauro (1897-1983), pioneer and inventive film-maker
• Joaquim Pedro de Andrade (1932-1988)
• Mário Peixoto (1910-1922), pioneer film-maker
• Walter Salles, award-studded director of Central do Brasil

Explorers and discoverers

Main article: List of Brazilian Explorers

• Cândido Rondon - Famous explorer and engineer
• Orlando Vilas Boas (1914-2003), explorer and indigenist
• Amyr Klink, adventurer and navigator, first solo rowing across the South Atlantic

Foreigners who explored or discovered in Brazil

• Pedro Alvares Cabral- Discovered Brazil in 1500 (Portuguese)
• Francisco de Orellana-First European to sail down the Amazon River (Spaniard).
• Vicente Yáñez Pinzon- A Spaniard that explored the Brazilian Coast (Spaniard)
• Pedro de Teixeira- Made the first trip up the Amazon by a European (Portuguese)
• Teddy Roosevelt - US President and explorer, visited the Amazon (American)

Fashion Designers

• Gilson Martins
• Mara MacDowell da Costa (Mara-Mac Mariazinha)
• Alexandre Hercovitch

Heroes and historical figures

• Bento Gonçalves, Southern politician
• Frei Caneca (1779-1825), a priest, martyr of the independence, executed by hanging
• Luis Gonzaga Pinto da Gama (1830-1882), abolitionist leader
• Maria Quitéria (1792-1853), martyr of the fight for independence
• Padre Feijó, leader of the independence
• Princesa Isabel (Isabel Christina de Bragança, 1846-1921), princess of the second Empire, second daughter of Emperor D. Pedro II, signed the abolition of slavery in Brazil
• Tiradentes (Joaquim José da Silva Xavier) (1746-1792), leader of a failed conspiration against the Portuguese, executed by hanging
• Zumbi dos Palmares (1655-1695), African-Brazilian leader of a slave revolt, murdered

Intellectuals and thinkers

• Anísio Teixeira (1900-1971), educator
• Benjamin Sodré
• Benjamin Constant, abolitionist and republican
• Caio Prado Jr. (1907-1990), writer, publisher and sociologist
• Dalmo de Abreu Dallari, jurist and university professor
• Darcy Ribeiro (1922-1997), anthropologist and educator, scientific leader and politician
• Francisco José de Oliveira Vianna (1883-1951)
• Fernando de Azevedo (1894-1974)
• Florestan Fernandes (1920-1995), sociologist
• Gilberto Freyre (1900-1987), sociologist
• Heráclito Sobral Pinto (1893-1991), jurist and civil rights activist
• José do Patrocínio, liberal abolitionist and republican
• Nisia Floresta Augusta (1810-1885), early feminist
• Leonard Boff, friar, theologian, silenced by the Vatican due to his liberal stance
• Milton Santos (1926-2001), geographer, writer and university professor
• Paulo Freire (1921-1997), educator and university professor
• Raymundo Faoro (1925-2003), jurist

Models

Main article: List of Brazilian models

Female

• Gianne Albertoni
• Michelle Alves
• Alessandra Ambrosio
• Ana Beatriz Barros
• Letícia Birkheuer
• Marcelle Bittar
• Carolina Bittencourt
• Luiza Brunet
• Yasmin Brunet
• Gisele Bündchen
• Daniella Cicarelli
• Luciana Curtis
• Cintia Dicker
• Isabeli Fontana
• Luciana Gimenez
• Ana Hickmann
• Adriana Lima
• Fernanda Lima
• Ana Cláudia Michaels
• Maryeva Oliveira
• Raica Oliveira
• Caroline Ribeiro
• Danyela Sarahyba
• Fernanda Tavares
• Caroline Trentini
• Mariana Weickert
• Raquel Zimmermann

Male

• Leandro Faria
• Bruno Santos
• Alexandre Verga
• Rafael Verga
• Gustavo Caldeira

Monarchs

Main article: List of Brazilian monarchs

• Pedro (Peter) I, (1798-1834)
• Pedro (Peter) II, (1825-1891)
• Silvia Sommerlath (present Queen of Sweden; mother was Brazilian)

Music

Main article: List of Brazilians in music

• Tim Maia, singer and composer
• Arnaldo Antunes, singer and composer
• Guilherme Arantes, pianist, singer and composer
• Waldir Azevedo, composer
• Baden Powell (1937-2000), composer and guitar musician
• Ary Barroso (1903-1964), composer
• Carlinhos Brown, singer and composer
• Chico Buarque, (1944-), singer and composer
• Roberto Carlos - singer and composer
• Cartola, singer and composer
• Eleazar de Carvalho, conductor
• Max Cavalera, thrash metal frontman of Sepultura and Soulfly
• Cazuza, (1958-1990), singer
• Djavan, singer and composer
• Gilberto Gil, (1942-), singer and composer
• João Gilberto, singer and composer
• Chiquinha Gonzaga, (1847-1935), conductor and composer
• Luiz Gonzaga, singer and composer
• Nelson Gonçalves, (1919-1998), singer
• João Gordo, punk rock bandleader, VJ
• Antonio Carlos Jobim,(1927-1994), pianist, singer and composer
• Marina Lima, singer and composer
• Ivan Lins, singer, composer and pianist
• André Matos, singer, frontman of metal bands Angra and Shaaman
• Marisa Monte, singer and composer
• Vinicius de Moraes, singer and composer
• Fabrizio Moretti, (1980-) drummer and artist
• Milton Nascimento, singer and composer
• Ernesto Nazareh, composer
• Zeca Pagodinho, singer and composer
• Elis Regina, (1945-1982), singer
• Renato Russo, singer and composer, frontman of Legião Urbana
• Bidu Sayão, (1902-1999), Opera singer
• Elsa Soares, singer, former wife of Garrincha
• Frank Solari, virtuoso guitar player and composer
• Renato Teixeira, Brazilian country singer and composer
• Toquinho, singer and composer
• Pixinguinha (1893-1973), musician and composer
• Caetano Veloso, (1942-), singer and composer
• Carla Maffioletti, opera singer
• Carmen Monarcha, opera singer

Classic composers

• Carlos Gomes, (1836-1896), classical musician and composer
• Heitor Villa Lobos, (1887-1959), classical musician and composer

Politicians

See also: List of Brazilian presidents

• Aécio Neves governor of Minas Gerais, grandson of former president Tancredo Neves.
• André Franco Montoro, senator and governor of the state of São Paulo
• Adhemar de Barros, governor of the state of São Paulo
• Carlos Lacerda (1914-1977), mayor and governor of Rio de Janeiro
• Cesar Maia, mayor of Rio de Janeiro.
• Cyro Gomes, mayor of Fortaleza, governor of Ceará, presidential candidate and minister
• Ernesto Geisel, general and president during the military regime, started the political liberalization
• Esperidião Amin, senator and governor of Santa Catarina
• Eurico Gaspar Dutra, marshall of the Army, was appointed president by the Congress, succeeding the dictator Getúlio Vargas in 1945.
• Fernando Collor de Mello, mayor, governor of Alagoas and impeached president in 1992
• Fernando Henrique Cardoso, (1931-), sociologist and university professor, senator, minister and twice president
• Geraldo Alckmin, ex-mayor of Pindamonhangaba, vice-governor and current governor of São Paulo
• Getúlio Vargas, (1883-1954), senator and twice president, was also a dictator, killed himself in 1954
• Golbery de Couto e Silva, early conspirator of the military coup against Goulart, and powerful political figure behind the office of the president under Ernesto Geisel
• José Bonifácio de Andrade e Silva, regent of the empire, politician, hero of the independence
• José Sarney (1930-), governor of Maranhão and senator, vice-president of Tancredo Neves, took office of president when the later died suddenly
• Júlio Prestes, governor of the state of São Paulo and defeated presidential candidate
• Juscelino Kubitschek, (1902-1976), mayor, governor of Minas Gerais, senator and president
• Jânio Quadros, mayor and governor of São Paulo, president (renounced 1962)
• João Goulart, vice-president of Jânio Quadros, president (deposed by a military coup in 1964)
• Lauro Sodré
• Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, (1946-), known as "Lula", labor activist and politician, current president.
• Mário Covas, mayor and governor of the state of São Paulo, senator and federal representative
• Marta Suplicy, Federal representative and mayor of São Paulo
• Paulo Maluf, twice mayor of and governor of São Paulo, defeated presidential candidate
• Tancredo Neves (1910-1985), several times federal representative and senator, elected president by the Congress in 1985, being the first civil president after the military ruled, but died before taking charge.

Religious leaders

• D. Helder Câmara (1909-1999), the "Red Bishop", Catholic archbishop of Olinda and Recife, a fierce defender of civil rights during the military regime
• D. Paulo Evaristo Arns, the archbishop of São Paulo, also a defender of civil rights

Reporters and TV hosts

• Alexandre Garcia
• Amaury Jr.
• Boris Casoy
• Cid Moreira
• Fausto Silva
• Gugu Liberato
• Jô Soares
• Leo Batista
• Luciana Gimenez
• Marcos Uchôa
• Pedro Bial
• Renata Vasconcelos
• Renato Machado
• Sérgio Chapelin
• Silvio Santos
• Marília Gabriela

Sports

Main article: List of Brazilians in sport

• Acelino Freitas (Popó) (1975-), boxer
• Ademar Ferreira da Silva (19927-2001), Olympics champion, triple jump
• Ayrton Senna (1960-1994), Formula 1 driver
• Bob Burnquist (1976-), skateboarder
• Cafu (1970-), football player
• Daniele Hypolito, gymnast
• Diego Hypolito, gymnast
• Daiane dos Santos, gymnast
• Eder Jofre (1936-), boxer, world champion
• Emerson Fittipaldi (1946-), Formula 1 and Indy Car driver
• Falcão(1953-), football player
• Garrincha (1933-1983), football player
• Gustavo Kuerten (1976-), tennis player
• Hélio Castroneves (1975-) - Indy Car driver
• Hortência Oliva (1959-), former basketball player
• Jade Barbosa, gymnast
• Jairzinho (1944-), football player
• João (do Pulo) Carlos de Oliveira (1954-1999), athlete triple jumper, Olympics champion
• Lars Grael, Olympic sailer and champion
• Luisa Parente, gymnast
• Maria Bueno, former tennis player
• Mosiah Rodrigues, gymnast
• Nelson Piquet (1952-), former Formula 1 driver
• Nílton Santos (1927-), former football player
• Oscar Schmidt (1958-), former basketball player
• Paula, former basketball player
• Pelé (1940-), former football player
• Robert Scheidt (1973-), Olympics sailer and champion
• Ronaldo (Ronaldinho) (1976-), football player
• Ronaldinho Gaúcho (1980-), football player
• Royce Gracie, MMA fighter
• Rubens Barrichello - Formula 1 driver
• Torben Grael (1960-), Olympic sailer and champion, brother of Lars Grael
• Vanderlei de Lima (1969-), marathoner
• Zico (1953-), former football player

Writers and Poets

Main article: List of Brazilian writers

• Álvares de Azevedo (1831-1852), poet and writer
• Alfredo D'Escragnolle Taunay (1843-1871), writer and historian
• Alfredo Dias Gomes (1922-1999), playwriter
• Augusto dos Anjos (1884-1914), poet
• Antônio Gonçalves Dias (1823-1864), poet
• Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-1987), poet and writer
• Cecília Meireles (1901-1964), poet
• Clarice Lispector (1925-1977), writer
• Érico Verissimo (1905-1975), writer
• Ferreira Gullar, writer and poet
• Haroldo de Campos (1929-), poet
• Holdemar Menezes (1921-1996) writer
• João Cabral de Melo Neto (1920-1999), poet
• João Guimarães Rosa (1908-1967), writer
• João Pedro Jorge, writer and poet
• Jorge Amado (1912-2001), writer
• José de Alencar (1829-1877), writer
• Julio Ribeiro, writer
• Luis Fernando Veríssimo (1936-), writer
• Lya Luft (1938-), writer and poet
• Machado de Assis (1839-1908), writer
• Manuel Bandeira (1886-1968), poet
• Maria Clara Machado (1921-2001), playwriter
• Mário de Andrade (1893-1945), writer
• Márcio Souza (1946-), writer
• Menotti del Picchia, critic and writer
• Monteiro Lobato (1882-1948), writer and publisher
• Nelson Rodrigues (1912-1980), journalist and writer
• Oduvaldo Vianna Filho (1936-1974), playwriter
• Olavo Bilac (1865-1918), poet
• Otto Maria Carpeaux (1900-1978), critic
• Otto Lara Rezende, writer, critic and journalist
• Oswald de Andrade (1890-1954), writer and critic
• Paulo Coelho (1947-), writer
• Patrícia Galvão ("Pagu"), wife of Oswald de Andrade
• Plínio Marcos (1935-1999), playwriter
• Raquel de Queiroz, writer
• Sergio Pinheiro Lopes (1953-), writer

Science and technology

Main article: List of Brazilian scientists

• Adib Jatene - heart surgeon
• Adolfo Lutz - physician and pioneer of public health
• Alberto Santos-Dumont - aviator and inventor.
• Antônio Rebouças Filho, pioneer engineer and urbanist
• André Rebouças (1838-1898), pioneer engineer, brother of Antônio Rebouças Filho.
• Aristides Leão - physician and physiologist, discovered Leão's depression, a phenomenon of the nervous tissue
• Aurélio Buarque de Hollanda - historiographer and linguist
• Carlos Chagas - physician and biomedical scientist, discovered Chagas Disease.
• Carlos Chagas Filho, physician and physiologist, former president of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Son of Carlos Chagas.
• Celso Furtado - noted economist and ideologue of economy of developing nations
• César Lattes - experimental physicist, co-discoverer of meson-pi, a kind of atomic particle
• Eduardo Krieger - physician and physiologist, current president of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
• Ennio Candotti, physicist and scientific leader
• Euryclides Zerbini - heart surgeon, pioneer of first heart transplant in Brazil
• Florestan Fernandes (1920-1995) father of Brazilian sociology
• Gilberto Freyre (1900-1987), historiographer and sociologist
• Hércules Florence - pioneer of photography
• Isaias Raw, physician, biochemist and scientific leader
• Ivan Izquierdo - physician and neuroscientist, discovered neural mechanisms of memory
• Jacob Palis - mathematician of international fame
• Jorge Stolfi - Computer Scientist, nowadays professor at UNICAMP
• Johanna Döbereiner (1924-2000), biologist of international fame, discoverer of the nitrogen fixation role of soil bacteria
• José Aristodemo Pinotti - physician and gynecologist, former president of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
• José Goldemberg - Physicist, former Minister of Science & Technology and Dean of the University of São Paulo
• José Leite Lopes - theoretical physicist
• José Lutzenberger (1926-2002), ecologist and zoologist
• José Reis - biologist, greatest Brazilian science writer
• Luiz Hildebrando Pereira da Silva, physician, infectologist and immunologist
• Manuel de Abreu - physician, inventor of abreugraphy (mass radiography of the lungs for screening tuberculosis)
• Mário Schenberg - one of the most noted theoretical physicists in the world
• Maurício Rocha e Silva - physician and pharmacologist, discovered bradykinin, an active cardiovascular peptide
• Miguel Nicolelis - neuroscientist, one of Scientific American's best scientists of 2004
• Milton Santos (1926-2001), geographer
• Nise da Silveira (1905-1999), psychiatrist and mental health reformer
• Oswaldo Cruz - physician and public health champion, eliminated yellow fever, bubonic plague and smallpox in Rio de Janeiro at the turn of the 20th century
• Paulo Emilio Vanzolini - zoologist
• Paulo Nogueira Neto, ecologist, zoologist and scientific leader
• Roberto Landell de Moura, pioneer of telephony
• Rogério César de Cerqueira Leite, physicist and scientific leader and writer
• Sérgio Henrique Ferreira - physician and pharmacologist, discovered the active principle of a new drug against hypertension
• Vital Brazil - physician and scientist, discoverer of the antivenom for snakes and other venomous animals
• Warwick Estevam Kerr - geneticist, researcher on the biology and genetics of bees
• Wilson Teixeira Beraldo - co-discoverer of bradykinin

Foreign scientists and engineers who lived in Brazil

• David Bohm, American Physicist
• Émil Goeldi, Swiss naturalist
• Fritz Köberle, Austrian physician and pathologist
• Miguel Rolando Covian, Argentinian physiologist
• Fritz Müller, German naturalist

Others

• Iruan Ergul Wu - Taiwanese-Brazilian boy, focus of an international scandal
• Chico Mendes (1944-1988), murdered rural leader and martyr of ecological movements in the Amazon

See also

List of people by nationality List of Brazilian Jews