Rubens de Falco
Born: 1931-10-19 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Died: 2008-02-22
Known For: Acting
Biography
Rubens de Falco was a distinguished Brazilian actor celebrated for his commanding presence and memorable portrayals of antagonists. He began his artistic journey in theater, joining the São Paulo-based group Os Jograis in 1955 alongside Ruy Afonso, Ítalo Rossi, and Felipe Wagner. His film debut came earlier, in 1952, with a small role in Apassionata, produced by the legendary Vera Cruz studio. De Falco became a household name through his work in Brazilian telenovelas, particularly for his villainous roles. His most iconic performance was as Leôncio Almeida in Escrava Isaura (1976), a role that defined his career and became a cultural touchstone. He reprised a related role in the 2004 remake, appearing as Comendador Almeida, Leôncio’s father. His television credits include Gabriela (1975), O Grito (1975), Dona Xepa (1977), Sinhá Moça (1986), and Os Imigrantes (1981), among many others. Known for his blue eyes, distinctive triangular mustache, and smooth baritone voice, Rubens de Falco brought elegance and intensity to every role. In 2006, a stroke left him unable to speak or act, and he spent his final years in assisted care. Despite this, his legacy as one of Brazil’s greatest actors remains firmly intact.
Filmography
2017
- Stories Our Cinema Did (Not) Tell as arquivo
2001
- Sonhos Tropicais as General Travassos
1998
- Brida as Vargas
1997
- Celebração - 100 Anos do Cinema Nacional as Self
- Os Ossos do Barão as Cândido Caldas Penteado
1996
- The Monk and the Hangman's Daughter as Saltmaster
1994
- Memorial de Maria Moura as Tibúrcio
1991
- Salomé as McGregor
1990
- Brasileiras e Brasileiros as Ramiro Borges
1989
- Pacto de Sangue as Abílio Mendonça
1987
- Bambolê as Nestor Barreto
1986
- Sinhá Moça as Coronel José Ferreira, Barão de Araruna
1985
- Grande Sertão: Veredas as Joca Ramiro
- La hora Texaco as Julio
- Profesión: vivir
1984
- Viver a Vida as Rodolfo
- Macho y hembra as Vicente
- Padre Cícero as Floro Bartholomeu
1983
- Maçã do Amor as Paulo Cardoso / Daniel Cardoso
1982
- Campeão as Jorge Salém
1981
- Os Imigrantes as Antônio di Salvio
1980
- Pixote as Judge
- Dracula, a Love Story as Count Dracula / Vladimir
- Um Homem Muito Especial as Vladimir
1979
- Gaivotas as Daniel
- Os Foragidos da Violência
- Colonel Delmiro Gouveia as Delmiro Gouveia
1978
- A Sucessora as Roberto Steen
- Encarnação
- A Dama de Branco
1977
- Dona Xepa as Heitor Camargo
- O Astro as Samir Hayala
- Esse Rio Muito Louco
1976
- Escrava Isaura as Leôncio Correia de Almeida
- O Homem da Cabeça de Ouro
1975
- Escalada as Comendador
- Gabriela as João Pimentel
- O Grito as Agenor
- O Sósia da Morte as Narciso
- Nós, Os Canalhas as Tatá
- Deixa, Amorzinho... Deixa
1974
- Supermanoela as Diógenes
- O Mau-Caráter as Moreira Silva
1973
1972
- Tempo de Viver as Maurício França
- A Difícil Vida Fácil
1969
- Angels and Demons as Promotor
- Time of Violence
- O Impossível Acontece
1968
- The Man Who Bought the World as Imperador Maximiliano
- Passo dos Ventos as René Antoine
1967
- A Rainha Louca as Rei Maximiliano
1966
- Engraçadinha Depois dos Trinta
- O Rei dos Ciganos as Claude Ludenwerg
- Essa Gatinha é Minha
1959
- Moral em Concordata as Narrador