Wagner Moura is a prominent Brazilian actor, director, and filmmaker.
He gained international fame for his portrayal of Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series Narcos, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
Moura’s career began in theater, and he rose to prominence with films like Elite Squad and Elysium.
He is also a musician, having fronted the band Sua Mãe. Married to Sandra Delgado since 2001, he has three children.
Siblings
Wagner has one sibling, a sister named Lediane Moura, who works as a pediatrician.
He grew up in Rodelas, Bahia, before moving to Salvador at the age of thirteen with his family, which included his father, José Moura, and mother, Alderiva Moura.
Career
Moura began his artistic journey in the theater scene of Salvador, Brazil.
He was involved in various stage productions, which helped him hone his acting skills.
His early work laid the groundwork for his transition to film and television, where he would eventually gain significant recognition.
Moura’s first major film role came in the critically acclaimed movie Carandiru, directed by Hector Babenco.
The film is based on the true story of the Carandiru Penitentiary in São Paulo and its infamous 1992 massacre.
Moura’s performance in this film helped him gain recognition within the Brazilian film industry and set the stage for his future successes.
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He achieved significant fame through his portrayal of Captain Nascimento in Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite), which was released in 2007.
The film explores the complexities of policing in Brazil and was a massive box office success, winning the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Moura reprised his role in the sequel, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, released in 2010, further solidifying his status as a leading actor in Brazilian cinema.
Moura’s international breakthrough came with the Netflix series Narcos, where he portrayed the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
His performance was widely praised, showcasing his ability to embody complex characters.
The series not only brought him global recognition but also earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama.
In addition to Narcos, Moura has appeared in various films including in Elysium, a science fiction film directed by Neill Blomkamp, where he played Spider, a character involved in the resistance against an oppressive society.
He also appeared in The Last Face, directed by Sean Penn, alongside Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem.
Awards and accolades
Moura has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, highlighting his talent and impact in film and television.
He earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2016 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role as Pablo Escobar in Narcos 12.
His film Marighella, which he directed, won several awards, including Best Picture and Best Director at various ceremonies, and was recognized at the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro with eight awards, including Best Film and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Moura has also been honored with multiple ACIE Awards, including Best Actor for Elite Squad and nominations for VIPs and Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within.
He received the Imagen Award for Best Actor in a Feature Film for Sergio and was nominated for the same award for his performance in Narcos.
Additionally, he has won accolades from various film festivals, including the Miami Brazilian Film Festival and the Huelva Latin American Film Festival, further establishing his reputation as a leading figure in both Brazilian and international cinema.