I noticed that there are quite a few Brazilians, at least ones born there or with a Brazilian parent, who have made it to the big time in the U.S., but not many Americans know about their roots. Here is a little collection of some of them; if you can think of more, please leave a comment!
- Morena Baccarin, the star of ABC's new sci-fi show V. She plays the "head alien" whose face has been plastered all over the U.S. in the past week or so. Interestingly, she is Carioca (!) and was raised in New York City, and studied at Juilliard. Her mom was an actress in Brazil and moved to the U.S. in the 1980s, and her dad still lives in Rio.
- Camilla Belle, a TV and movie actress who has been in Hollywood since she was little, and starred in several movies, including "When a Stranger Calls" and "Push." She also recently starred in a Brazilian movie called "À Deriva." Though she was born in the US, her mother is Brazilian, and she speaks fluent Portuguese. She has family in Sao Paulo, and some of her favorite foods include brigadeiro, pao de queijo, and feijoada.
- Rodrigo Santoro, Brazil's most famous actor export who has starred in dozens of American and Brazilian TV shows and movies. Though Brazilians are probably muttering "Duh!" under their breath, you'd be amazed how many Americans think he's Argentine or Italian. Rodrigo was born in Petropolis and grew up in Rio de Janeiro.
- Alice Braga, Sonia Braga's niece, was born in Sao Paulo and started out doing Brazilian movies. She eventually got roles in Hollywood and was in "I am Legend," "Blindness" and "Crossing Over."
- Alessandra Ambrosio, Victoria's Secret and top fashion model. She was born in Rio Grande do Sul and started her American career in New York.
- Adriana Lima, Victoria's Secret model, fashion model, and actress. She was born in Salvador, Bahia and also began her American career in New York.
- Ana Beatriz Barros, top model. She's mineira!
- Gisele, one of the world's most famous models and an occasional actress. Seriously, if you didn't know that one, I can't help you!
- Nenê, basketball player with the Denver Nuggets. He's from a small city in Sao Paulo state.
- Leandro Barbosa, basketball player with the Phoneix Suns. He's originally from Sao Paulo.
As a Nuggets fan, I have to say Nene is my favorite person on the list.
Posted by: Tim | November 09, 2009 at 03:17 PM
here check those links...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Brazilian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Brazilian-Americans
Posted by: J | November 09, 2009 at 03:42 PM
here another one...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_American
Posted by: J | November 09, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Claro que sim. Pode deixar!! De cabeça agora vejo que falta um importantíssimo... O Kaká!! Toda vez que falo de futebol, meus amigos americanos sempre mencionam ele. E o Paulo Coelho... apesar de que nenhum dos dois estão nos EUA. É. Never mind! rsrs
Posted by: Simone | November 09, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Sergio Mendes, singer/songwritter.
Posted by: Camila | November 09, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Helio Castroneves Indycar Driver and Three Time Indy 500 Champion
And Dancing with the stars winner...lol...
Posted by: Ray Adkins | November 10, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Deve ser por isso que na série V, uma das naves que chega ao planeta e manda mensagem está sobre o Rio de Janeiro e fala um português bem pronunciado. (eu me perguntei onde arrumaram em Hollywood alguém pra não queimar o filme em um já comum português macarronico).
O Brasil tá mesmo na moda, e Madonna foi a primeira a sacar isso.
Posted by: Ana | November 10, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Romero Britto!
Posted by: Barbarella | November 10, 2009 at 01:33 PM
What about Pele??
Posted by: Neil | November 10, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Hello
My name is Lucas, I'm 17 years old and I am brazilian.
I was born and live in Sao Luis, Maranhao. But at the present moment I'm studying abroad, in Canada. I was doing an assignment about my country and when I searched for "Brazilian food" on google I went to your blog page about "coxinha" and all those delicious pastries. I started reading it and just loved the stories you wrote about being an american in Rio. I read your biography and it's REALLY INTERESTING. I mean, the fact that you live languages and went abroad (specially to my country :D).. All those things remind me a lot about myself. I love languages and my dream was to come abroad to study. Now I'm finally here (I arrived more than 2 months ago) and I'm just loving it. So, basically I'd like you to know that I hope you have learned some portuguese since you arrived in Rio (2007 right?). Rio is one of my favorite cities in the entire world!
And I love writing and reading as well, so I'll be around your blog sometimes! :D
Have a good week. And hope to hear from you! xD
Posted by: Lucas Santos | November 10, 2009 at 05:46 PM
It's missing Bebel Gilberto!
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=763842497 | November 10, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Hello
My name is Lucas, I'm 17 years old and I am brazilian.
I was born and live in Sao Luis, Maranhao. But at the present moment I'm studying abroad, in Canada. I was doing an assignment about my country and when I searched for "Brazilian food" on google I went to your blog page about "coxinha" and all those delicious pastries. I started reading it and just loved the stories you wrote about being an american in Rio. I read your biography and it's REALLY INTERESTING. I mean, the fact that you live languages and went abroad (specially to my country :D).. All those things remind me a lot about myself. I love languages and my dream was to come abroad to study. Now I'm finally here (I arrived more than 2 months ago) and I'm just loving it. So, basically I'd like you to know that I hope you have learned some portuguese since you arrived in Rio. (2007 right?) Rio is one of my favorite cities in the entire world!
And I love writing and reading as well, so I'll be around your blog sometimes! :D
Have a good week. And hope to hear from you! xD
Posted by: Lucas Santos | November 10, 2009 at 05:53 PM
My old classmate Fab Moretti ... Though I'm sure the lists posted above mention him!
Posted by: Andrea | November 10, 2009 at 06:38 PM
I'm pretty sure Pele doesn't live in the US. It's possible he has a house/condo here but he spends most of his time traveling or in Brazil.
Bem-vindo Lucas! :)
Posted by: Rio Gringa | November 10, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Pele did live in NY when he was playing with the Cosmos (way back in the 70's!!). He still has a house in the hamptons,,
Posted by: Neil | November 10, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Emerson Fittipaldi lives in Florida, he owes a good percentage of the Florida Orange Juice Industry in that state...he owes a huge Orange Juice processing plant right outside of Tampa, Florida.
Famous Formula 1 Race driver from the 70's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerson_Fittipaldi
Posted by: Ray Adkins | November 11, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I was going to post Helio Castroneves, but someone beat me to it. He lives in Miami. How about Sonia Braga?
Nene played basketball for Vasco before heading to the NBA :)
Posted by: Liesl78 | November 11, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Anderson Varejão do Cleveland Cavaliers não é conhecido aí?
Posted by: Paula LP | November 12, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Hi,
You forgot to mention Jordana Brewster. She is like Camilla Belle, not a Brazilian by birth but whose mother is Brazilian. Actually, Jordana's mom was a supermodel in the 70s and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Jordana starred in Fast Furious, The Faculty, Texas Chainsaw massacre - the beginning. Here is a video where she's speaks Portuguese with a slight accent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov-HLBCNI0o
Posted by: Fabio Bossard | November 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM