Zezeh Barbosa | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Barbosa in 2023 | |
| Born | (1963-03-19)March 19, 1963 (age 62) Osasco, São Paulo |
| Occupation | Brazilian Actress |
Maria José Barbosa e Silva, known as Zezeh Barbosa (born 19 March 1963), is a Brazilian cinema and television actress.[1]
Barbosa was born into a large family in Osasco, São Paulo, the daughter of a midwife and a blacksmith. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a secretary, telemarketing operator, and canteen attendant.[2] Growing up with 13 siblings, she demonstrated a strong interest in the performing arts from an early age, creating theatrical scenes at home, which convinced her mother of her passion for acting.[3]
She studied theater arts at theUniversity of São Paulo,[4] where she trained in both classical and contemporary acting techniques. Barbosa debuted as a TV actress in the soap operaBrasileiras e Brasileiros[5] on the SBT channel in 1990 and made her film debut with the dramaPaixão Perdida (1998).[6] However, she rose to national fame by starring in the comedy Bendito Fruto (2004) which earned her the Best Actress trophy at theBrasília Festival.[2] She became well-known to the general public for her roles in soap operas such asO Profeta (2006-2007),Negócio da China (2008-2009), andLado a Lado (2012-2013).
Barbosa gained significant recognition for her role as Jurema,a mãe de santo, in the historical telenovelaLado a Lado, which won theInternational Emmy Award. Her character's portrayal highlighted important themes of religious freedom and intolerance. Barbosa's performance in the soap opera was critically acclaimed and earned her the TroféuRaça Negra de Melhor Atriz (Best Actress).[7]
In 2015, Barbosa made a comeback to telenovelas withI Love Paraisópolis, written by Alcides Nogueira, where she played the lively microbusiness owner "Dália," who runs a clothing store called Dalíssima.[8] That same year, she appeared in the first season of the seriesOs Suburbanos onMultishow.
Following that, she featured in the biographical dramaNise: O Coração da Loucura[9] and the comedyNinguém Ama Ninguém... Por Mais de Dois Anos,[10] both of which contributed to her growing reputation in the industry.
By 2022, she played "Darcy Munhoz" in the telenovelaTodas as Flores[11] and explored themes of identity and self-awareness in the seriesPlural, which aired on Cine Brasil TV.[12]
In 2023, she joined the cast of the telenovelaFuzuê, portraying "Glaúcia Corneteira," a character reminiscent of her previous roles in similar genres.[13] She also acted in the children’s comedyUma Fada Veio me Visitar, markingXuxa Meneghel's return to cinema as she took on the role of "Fadona," the leader of the fairy group.[14]
She has received theCandango Trophy from the Brasília Film Festival[15] and the Troféu Raça Negra. She has also been nominated for theGrande Otelo, Guarani Award,[16] Qualidade Brasil Award, and ACIE Award.[17]
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