Leonardo Villar

Leonardo Villar (born as Leonardo Motta in Piracicaba, São Paulo, on July 25, 1923 - São Paulo, July 3, 2020) was a Brazilian actor. He became internationally known for his performance as Zé do Burro in Anselmo Duarte's O Pagador de Promessas, the only Brazilian film so far awarded with a Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

He started his career at the theater, but later also started acting in film and television. Villar debuted at the theater on the 1950 play Os Pássaros. His first film role only came in 1962 as Zé do Burro in Anselmo Duarte's O Pagador de Promessas. He received international exposure for the role after the film won the Palme d'Or and became the first Brazilian and South American feature nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In 1965 he debuted on television in the TV Tupi telenovela A Cor de Sua Pele, which tells the story of an interracial relationship. In 1972, he moved to Rede Globo, where he starred in successful shows such as Escalada and Estúpido Cupido.

In 2001, after almost 20 years without acting in the theater, he starred in the play A Moratória. In 2008, after eight years without acting in a film, he starred in the critically acclaimed Chega de Saudade.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leonardo Villar is known for work in acting across film and television. New Release currently presents 24 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes Family Ties (2000), Serras Azuis (1998), Os Ossos do Barão (1997), Tocaia Grande (1995), Amazônia (1991), Barriga de Aluguel (1990), Desejo (1990), Mania de Querer (1986). The recorded credits span 1962 to 2000, including 4 movies and 20 TV shows.

The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.