João Nicolau de Melo Breyner Moreira Lopes (30 July 1940 – 14 March 2016), known professionally as Nicolau Breyner, was a Portuguese actor, screenwriter, producer, director and television host. He was one of the most well-known figures in Portuguese television and cinema, having performed in more than 170 films and television series in his career.
Early life Nicolau Breyner was born in Serpa, Portugal, on 30 July 1940. His parents were Nicolau Moreira Lopes (1915–1965) and Augusta Pereira da Silva de Melo Breyner Pereira (1920–2003).
Breyner and his family moved to Lisbon when he was 9 years old. There he studied at the Camões Secondary School. He studied singing and was part of the Portuguese Musical Youth chorus. He first enrolled in a Law school but later switched to vocal studies at the Conservatório Nacional. He initially pursued opera singing but opted for theater after finding that he did not have the discipline required for opera.
Career Breyner's acting debut in theater was in the play Leonor Telles by Marcelino Mesquita. His official acting career began in 1965 and did not end until his death. During this time, he went on to win two Portuguese Golden Globes and was nominated for five more. His highest rated film, Stefan Zweig, Farewell to Europe, where he played the character of Leopold Stern, went on to achieve a 90% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
Personal life Breyner's first marriage was to Mafalda Maria de Alpoim Vieira Barbosa. His second marriage was to the Portuguese actress Sofia Sá da Bandeira, between 1996 and 2001. He had two daughters, Mariana and Constança Fidalgo Ramos de Melo Breyner Lopes, from a previous relationship with Cláudia Fidalgo. His third wife was Mafalda Gomes de Amorim Bessa.
Breyner was a second cousin of Portuguese author Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen.
Death
Breyner died in Lisbon from a cardiac arrest on 14 March 2016, aged 75. His body was cremated at the Alto de São João Cemetery in Lisbon.
Selected filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 1996Sostiene PereiraFather António 1999JaimeColuna1999InfernoNunes 2003Os ImortaisJoaquim Malarranha 2005O Crime do Padre AmaroFather Francisco Dias 2007 Corrupção Sr. Presidente2007Call GirlCarlos Meireles 2010Despicable MeGru (Portuguese dubbing) Voice acting 2013Night Train to LisbonSilva 2013Despicable Me 2Gru (Portuguese dubbing)Voice acting2015MinionsYoung Gru (Portuguese dubbing)Voice acting
+ Television Year Title Role Notes1975Nicolau no País das MaravilhasVarious1980–1981Eu Show NicoVarious1982Vila FaiaJoão Godunha100 episodes; also co-creator1982–1983Gente Fina é Outra CoisaHorácio12 episodes1983–1984OrigensLuís Martinho120 episodes1987Palavras CruzadasJoão120 episodes; also director1988Os Homens da SegurançaCarlos Jorge13 episodes1988–1989PasserelleMajor Ilídio120 episodes1990EuronicoVarious12 episodes1992–1993CinzasSecuras150 episodes1993–1994Verão QuenteLuís Arruda130 episodes1993–1996Nico d'ObraNico122 episodes1996Primeiro AmorVítor Novais150 episodes1996–1997Reformado e Mal PagoArtur26 episodes1997Vidas de SalVasco Tavares78 episodes1998–1999Uma Casa em FanicosNico39 episodes2002Fúria de ViverVictor Antunes150 episodes2004A FerreirinhaForrester13 episodes 2005Pedro e InêsAfonso IV 13 episodes2006–2008Aqui Não Há Quem VivaJoão52 episodes2007VingançaAlberto Lacerda213 episodes2009EquadorMário Maltez23 episodes2009Morangos com AçúcarAlexandre Peixoto79 episodes2009–2010Meu AmorCaetano Vargas Moura348 episodes2013Uma Família AçorianaJosé do Canto8 episodes2014O Beijo do EscorpiãoHenrique de Albuquerque200 episodes2015Jardins ProibidosManuel Maria72 episodes2016A ImpostoraEdmundo Gaspar81 episodes2016A Casa é MinhaCustódio20 episodes
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