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Selton Mello
Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, EditorBorn December 30, 1972 (52 years)
Selton Mello, one of Brazil’s most respected actors and directors, has built a remarkable career spanning four decades. From his beginnings as a child actor to his status as a celebrated artist, Mello has consistently demonstrated his passion for storytelling and connection with audiences.
Born on December 30, 1972, in Passos, Minas Gerais, Mello began acting in Brazilian television soap operas during the 1980s. His talent quickly earned him recognition, leading to his transition to cinema. In the 1990s, he gained acclaim with films such as Lavoura Arcaica (To the Left of the Father) and O Auto da Compadecida (A Dog’s Will). The latter remains a cultural classic, with Mello’s role as Chicó highlighting his comedic timing and depth.
Mello’s versatility as an actor is evident in his diverse filmography, including Meu Nome Não É Johnny (My Name Ain’t Johnny)* and Jean Charles, a poignant portrayal of a Brazilian immigrant’s tragic story. In Ainda Estou Aqui (I’m Still Here), directed by Walter Salles, Mello delivered a powerful performance as Rubens Paiva, a congressman disappeared during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Beyond acting, Mello has excelled as a director. His 2011 film O Palhaço (The Clown), which explores themes of identity and purpose, received widespread acclaim and numerous awards. His second directorial work, O Filme da Minha Vida (The Movie of My Life), further showcased his storytelling ability, earning accolades at the Rome Film Festival.
In 2024, Mello continues to impact Brazilian cinema with anticipated projects like O Auto da Compadecida 2 and Bury Your Dead, reflecting his ability to adapt to diverse narratives. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Mello plays a key role in promoting Brazilian cinema internationally. With over 40 years in the industry, Selton Mello remains a significant figure, celebrated for his contributions as an actor, director, and cultural embassador.
Born on December 30, 1972, in Passos, Minas Gerais, Mello began acting in Brazilian television soap operas during the 1980s. His talent quickly earned him recognition, leading to his transition to cinema. In the 1990s, he gained acclaim with films such as Lavoura Arcaica (To the Left of the Father) and O Auto da Compadecida (A Dog’s Will). The latter remains a cultural classic, with Mello’s role as Chicó highlighting his comedic timing and depth.
Mello’s versatility as an actor is evident in his diverse filmography, including Meu Nome Não É Johnny (My Name Ain’t Johnny)* and Jean Charles, a poignant portrayal of a Brazilian immigrant’s tragic story. In Ainda Estou Aqui (I’m Still Here), directed by Walter Salles, Mello delivered a powerful performance as Rubens Paiva, a congressman disappeared during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Beyond acting, Mello has excelled as a director. His 2011 film O Palhaço (The Clown), which explores themes of identity and purpose, received widespread acclaim and numerous awards. His second directorial work, O Filme da Minha Vida (The Movie of My Life), further showcased his storytelling ability, earning accolades at the Rome Film Festival.
In 2024, Mello continues to impact Brazilian cinema with anticipated projects like O Auto da Compadecida 2 and Bury Your Dead, reflecting his ability to adapt to diverse narratives. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Mello plays a key role in promoting Brazilian cinema internationally. With over 40 years in the industry, Selton Mello remains a significant figure, celebrated for his contributions as an actor, director, and cultural embassador.
Known For
Filmography
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | A Dog's Will 2 · as Chicó |
| 2024 | I'm Still Here · as Rubens Paiva |
| 2024 | Bury Your Dead · as Edgar Wilson |
| 2023 | |
| 2021 | Nos Tempos do Imperador (TV Series) · as Dom Pedro Ii, Imperador Do Brasil |
| 2019 | Babenco: Tell Me When I Die · as Banquet Attendee |
| 2018 | The Mechanism (TV Series) · as Marco Ruffo |
| 2017 | Thirteen Days Away From The Sun (TV Series) · as Saulo Garcez |
| 2017 | Lino · as Lino (voice) |
| 2017 | The Movie of My Life · as Paco |
| 2017 | Soundtrack · as Cris |
| 2016 | Dangerous Liaisons (2016) (TV Series) · as Augusto De Valmont |
| 2015 | My Hindu Friend · as Common Man |
| 2014 | Trash · as Frederico |
| 2013 | Rio 2096: A Story of Love and Fury · as Abeguar / Balaio / Cau / Jc (voice) |
| 2012 | Sessão de Terapia (TV Series) · as Dr. Caio Barone |
| 2012 | Billi Pig · as Wanderlei |
| 2012 | Kings & Rats · as Troy Somerset |
| 2011 | The Clown · as Benjamin / Palhaço Pangaré |
| 2011 | The Invisible Woman (TV Series) · as Pedro |
| 2010 | Federal · as Dani |
| 2010 | The Outlaw · as Marqués De Las Navas |
| 2010 | The Cure (TV Series) · as Dimas Bevilláqua |
| 2010 | Reflections of a Blender · as Liquidificador (voz) |
| 2009 | Jean Charles · as Jean Charles |
| 2009 | The Invisible Woman · as Pedro |
| 2008 | Os Desafinados · as Dico - Young |
| 2008 | The Herb of the Rat · as Ele |
| 2008 | My Name Ain't Johnny · as João Guilherme Estrella |
| 2007 | O Sistema (TV Series) · as Matias Cadore / Matt |
| 2006 | Drained · as Lourenço |
| 2006 | Tarantino's Mind · as Friend #2 |
| 2005 | O Coronel e o Lobisomem · as Pernambuco Nogueira |
| 2005 | Árido Movie · as Bob |
| 2004 | Os Aspones (TV Series) · as Tales |
| 2004 | Nina · as Amigo De Ana |
| 2003 | Garotas do ABC · as Salesiano |
| 2003 | Lisbela and the Prisoner · as Leléu |
| 2001 | Caramuru: The Invention of Brazil · as Diogo Álvares, Caramuru |
| 2001 | To the Left of the Father · as André |
| 2001 | Os Normais (TV Series) · as Bernardo |
| 2001 | Os Maias (TV Series) · as João Da Ega |
| 2000 | Brava Gente (TV Series) · as Edinho |
| 2000 | A Dog's Will · as Chicó |
| 2000 | A Invenção do Brasil (TV Series) · as Diogo Álvares, O Caramuru |
| 1999 | Força de um Desejo (TV Series) · as Abelardo Silveira Sobral |
| 1999 | O Auto da Compadecida (TV Series) · as Chicó |
| 1998 | Mulher (TV Series) · as Zeca |
| 1997 | The Battle of Canudos · as Tenente Luís Da Gama |
| 1997 | Four Days in September · as César / Oswaldo |
| 1997 | A Indomada (TV Series) · as Emanuel Faruk |
| 1995 | The Comedy of the Private Life (TV Series) |
| 1995 | The Next Victim (TV Series) · as Antônio Mestieri (tonico) |
| 1994 | Tropicaliente (TV Series) · as Vitor Velasquez |
| 1994 | Lamarca · as Ivan |
| 1993 | Olho no Olho (TV Series) · as João Carlos Zapata (juca) |
| 1992 | Você Decide (TV Series) · as Edu |
| 1992 | Pedra Sobre Pedra (TV Series) · as Bruno |
| 1990 | Uma Escola Atrapalhada · as Renan |
| 1986 | Sinhá Moça (TV Series) · as Rafael (criança) |
| 1984 | Corpo a Corpo (TV Series) · as Ronaldo Pellegrini |