Sônia Braga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sônia Braga
Braga in 2016
Born	Sônia Maria Campos Braga (1950-06-08) 8 June 1950 (age 75) Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
Citizenship	Brazil United States
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1967–present
Spouse(s)	Arduíno Colassanti ​ ​ (m. 1970; separated 1976)​ Antônio Guerreiro ​ ​ (m. 1980; div. 1988)​
Relatives	Alice Braga (niece)

Sônia Maria Campos Braga (born 8 June 1950) is a famous Brazilian actress. She is well-known around the world for her amazing acting. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her roles in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) and Moon over Parador (1988).

Sônia also received a BAFTA Award nomination in 1981 for the movie Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands. Later, in 1994, she was nominated for an Emmy Award and another Golden Globe for the TV film The Burning Season. She has appeared in many other popular shows and films, like The Cosby Show, Sex and the City, and Luke Cage. In 2020, The New York Times named her one of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century.

Early Life and Beginnings

Sônia Braga was born on June 8, 1950, in Maringá, Brazil. Her parents were Hélio Fernando Ferraz Braga and Maria Braga Jaci Campos, who was a costume designer. Sônia has four siblings: Júlio, Ana, Hélio, and Maria. Her niece, Alice Braga, is also a well-known actress.

When Sônia was young, her family moved to Curitiba and then to Campinas, São Paulo. Her father passed away when she was 8 years old. She then went to a convent school in the city of São Paulo. As a teenager, she worked as a receptionist and typist at an event catering company.

Starting Acting

Sônia's brother, Hélio, hosted a children's TV show called Jardim Encantado. When Sônia was 14, she was invited to act in small parts on TV Tupi, including her brother's show. She then joined a theater group in Santo André. At 17, she made her first stage appearance in the play George Dandin.

In 1968, Sônia was cast in the first Brazilian version of the musical Hair. This musical was very popular and ran for three years.

A Star is Born

Sônia Braga's career quickly grew. She appeared in the film O Bandido da Luz Vermelha in 1968. In 1970, she joined the cast of Irmãos Coragem, a popular soap opera on Rede Globo. She also had supporting roles in films like A Moreninha and Cléo e Daniel.

Becoming a Household Name

Sônia became very famous in Brazil through the children's TV series Vila Sésamo in 1972. This show made her a familiar face in many homes.

In 1975, Sônia starred in the telenovela Gabriela. This show was based on a famous novel by Jorge Amado. She played another character from Jorge Amado's books in the 1976 film Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands. This movie was a huge success in Brazil and gained international attention. Later, in 1983, she starred in another film version of Gabriela.

More TV Success

In the late 1970s, Sônia Braga played another memorable character, Julia Matos, in the telenovela Dancin' Days (1978). In this story, she played a woman who gets out of prison and tries to reconnect with her daughter. In 1980, she returned to television in the telenovela Chega Mais.

International Career

In the early 1980s, Sônia Braga decided to focus on movies. In 1981, she starred in Eu Te Amo and won a best actress award at the Gramado Film Festival.

Her role in the 1985 film Kiss of the Spider Woman was a big step for her. She starred alongside William Hurt and Raul Julia. This role earned her a Golden Globe nomination. The film's success led her to work internationally. She moved to the United States and became an American citizen in 2003.

Melanie Griffith, Robert Redford and Sônia Braga promoting The Milagro Beanfield War at the Cannes Film Festival in 1988

Awards and Recognition

Sônia Braga was the first Brazilian actress to present an award at the Oscars. She was introduced by Goldie Hawn as one of the most glamorous actresses in the world.

She received many important nominations in the United States. For her role in The Burning Season (1994), she was nominated for her third Golden Globe. In 1995, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for the same film. This movie told the story of Brazilian activist Chico Mendes.

In 1996, Sônia won the Lone Star Film & Television Award for her work in Streets of Laredo. She also starred in Tieta of Agreste (1996).

Recent Work

After almost 20 years, Sônia returned to Brazilian television in 1999 with a guest role in the soap opera Força de um Desejo. In 2001, she appeared in Memórias Póstumas and won another award at the Gramado Film Festival.

She continued to work in American productions, including the romantic drama Angel Eyes (2001) with Jennifer Lopez. In 2002, she was in the PBS series American Family, which followed a Latino family in Los Angeles. She also had roles in CSI: Miami (2005) and Alias (2005).

In 2016, Sônia Braga received great reviews for her film Aquarius. She played a retired music writer who refuses to sell her apartment. This film was considered for Best Foreign Film at the Cesar Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards. She also appeared in Netflix's Marvel show Luke Cage as Rosario Dawson's mother.

Personal Life

Sônia Braga became an American citizen and has lived in New York City since 1990. She also has homes in Brazil.

She was married twice. First, to actor Arduíno Colassanti from 1970 to 1976. Then, to photographer Antônio Guerreiro from 1980 to 1988.

Sônia Braga has stated that she never planned to have children because of her career goals.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations