Actor debuted on TV with the soap opera ‘So on Earth as in Heaven’, marked as taxi driver Carlão in ‘Sin Capital’ and shone in ‘O Astro’
In over 60 years of career, the actor has consolidated himself as one of the greatest and most versatile names in Brazilian television drama. With a trajectory marked by unforgettable characters and memorable performances, the actor, who died on Thursday (19), at the age of 91, built a legacy that goes far beyond the screens, influencing generations of artists and contributing significantly to the history of Brazil.
Born on November 29, 1933, in Rio de Janeiro, Francisco Cuoco began his career in theater in the early 1950s. His transition to television took place in 1961, on TV Rio, but it was on TV Excelsior that he gained prominence, starring in great hits such as “Redemption” (1966-1968), the longest novel in the history of Brazilian television drama, with 596 chapters. During this period, Cuoco became one of the most coveted heartthrobes in the country, conquering the public with his charisma and talent.
In 1970, he migrated to Rede Globo, where he consolidated his position as one of the station’s main actors. His ability to move between good guys, villains and complex characters made him a requested and respected artist. Among his most striking works at Globo, stand out:
- “So on earth as in heaven” (1970): In the role of Father Vitor Mariano, one of the first protagonist priests of Brazilian television.
- “The tacky” (1971): like Gilberto Athayde.
- “Pedra Selva” (1972): He lived Cristiano Vilhena, one of the greatest hits in the history of Globo, raising him to the level of superstro.
- “Capital sin” (1975): Interpreting Carlão, a taxi driver who finds a suitcase of money, becoming a television drama classic.
- “Two Lives” (1976): in the role of doctor Victor Amadeu.
- “The star” (1977): Like Herculaneum Quintanilha, a magician seer, a character who eternalized him in the public’s memory and yielded a remake in 2011, with Cuoco making a special appearance.
- “Capital sin” (1998 – remake): interpreted the unscrupulous Salviano Lisbon.
Posted by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
