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Zezé Motta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Motta and the second or paternal family name is Oliveira.
Zezé Motta
Motta in August 2011
Born
Maria José Motta de Oliveira

(1944-06-27) 27 June 1944 (age 81)
Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
OccupationsActress, singer
Years active1966–present

Maria José Motta (born 27 June 1944),[1] known as Zezé Motta, is a Brazilian actress and singer. She is considered one of the most important actresses in Brazil.[2]

Motta has received awards, including the Best Actress Award at the Brasília Film Festival, the Air France Award, the Golden Owl Award, and the Governor of the State Award, in addition to nominations for the Grande Otelo and Guarani awards.[3] In 2007, she received the Oscarito Trophy at the Gramado Film Festival, and in 2019 she was awarded an Honorary Grande Otelo for lifetime achievement.

Early life

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Motta was born in Usina Barcelos, and later moved to Campos dos Goytacazes, a Brazilian municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the Southeast region of the country.[4] She moved with his parents and his brother Romilton to Rio de Janeiro at the age of two.[5] His mother worked as a stylist and seamstress, while his father was a musician.[3] The family lived in Morro do Cantagalo for a few years, and soon after moved to the Leblon neighborhood. Due to financial difficulties, Motta spent part of her childhood in a boarding school, the Asylo Espírita João Evangelista, where he learned domestic and manual work.[2] Later, she returned to live with her family in Leblon after their economic situation improved. During her youth, she worked at the Moura Brasil laboratory while studying for an accounting course.[1]

Career

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Television Career

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She began her television career in 1968 with a role as Zezé in the telenovela Beto Rockfeller, broadcast by Rede Tupi.[6] Four years later, she joined Rede Globo, portraying Zezinha in A Patota.[7] In 1974, she appeared as Doralice in Supermanoela, followed in 1976 by the role of Jandira in Duas Vidas.[8] She concluded the decade by appearing in the series Ciranda Cirandinha, participating in the episodes “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon” and “The Moment of Decision.”[9]

During the 1980s, she acted in the telenovelas Transas e Caretas and Corpo a Corpo, portraying Dorinha and Sônia, respectively.[10] She later appeared in the series Armação Ilimitada, in the episodes “Jararaca, o Cabra” and “Uma Armação nas Estrelas,” and joined the cast of Helena as Malvina.[11] She concluded the decade in 1989, playing Maria in Pacto de Sangue[12] and Lulu Kelly in Kananga do Japão.[13]

In the early 1990s, she starred as an Ialorixá in the miniseries Mãe de Santo[14] and appeared as Zenaide in the episode “Em Nome do Pai” of the interactive program Você Decide.[15]

In 1994, she portrayed Rubina in Memorial de Maria Moura[16], followed by the role of Fátima in the telenovela A Próxima Vítima the following year.[17] In 1996, she appeared in Xica da Silva as Maria da Silva, the protagonist’s mother.[18] She concluded the decade portraying Conceição in Chiquinha Gonzaga[19] and returned to Você Decide in the episode “E o Circo Chegou.”[15]

In the 2000s, she played Irene in the telenovela Esplendor and appeared in the Portuguese production Garrett, based on the biography of Almeida Garrett.[8] Between 2001 and 2002, she portrayed Mãe Ricardina in Porto dos Milagres[20] and appeared as Mãe Ricardina and Nadir in O Beijo do Vampiro.[21] In 2004, she played the anesthetist Prazeres da Anunciação in Metamorphoses, followed by roles as Titina in Floribella and the enslaved woman Virgínia in the remake of Sinhá Moça. She closed the decade portraying Naná in the miniseries Cinquentinha.[8]

In the early 2010s, she played Dalva (Dadá) in the telenovela Rebelde on TV Record. Two years later, she appeared as Adele in Copa Hotel on GNT, and as Tia Celeste in the miniseries O Canto da Sereia on Globo. In 2014, she played Elaine in the episode “Mãe de Fases” of A Grande Família and appeared as Sebastiana in Boogie Oogie. In 2017, she joined the cast of Escrava Mãe as Tia Joaquina on Record, and appeared in the Portuguese telenovela Ouro Verde as Neném on TVI.[22][23][24][25][26][27]

Theatre and music

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Motta trained as an actress from Teatro Tablado and began her professional career in 1967 in Roda Viva, by Chico Buarque de Hollanda.[28] She became active in Brazilian popular and experimental theatre in the late 1960s and 1970s, performing in productions by Augusto Boal such as Arena Canta Zumbi[29], Godspell,[30] and others like Orfeu.[31]

She also pursued a parallel career as a singer, working as a crooner in the main nightclubs of São Paulo in the 1970s. In 1978, she released her first solo LP titled (Zezé Motta), released by Warner Music.[32] From then on, she released numerous records, performing songs by important composers such as Luiz Melodia, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Moraes Moreira, and many others. In addition, her voice immortalized classics such as Senhora Liberdade, a song by Nei Lopes, Wilson Moreira and Zé Renato[33], Trocando em Miúdos by Chico Buarque and Francis Hime, and Pecado Original by Caetano.[34]

She released more than 10 LPs and CDs, performed representing Brazil at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hannover (Germany), Carnegie Hall in New York (USA), Olympia in Paris, and in countries such as Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Angola, and Portugal.[5]

Since then, her singing career has never stopped. Over the last few years, she has toured Brazil performing with the shows “Atendendo a Pedidos”, where she performs hits recorded over her 50-year career[35], and “Coração Vagabundo – Zezé canta Caetano”, in which she sings a repertoire entirely composed by Caetano Veloso.[36]

Film career

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She made her feature film debut in the early 1970s as a customer at the Viajantes Bar in Cléo e Daniel.[37] In 1973, she appeared in Vai Trabalhar, Vagabundo![38], followed in 1974 by roles in Um Varão Entre as Mulheres and Banana Mecânica, in which she portrayed Marilda.[7]

In 1977, Motta played Dandara in Cordão de Ouro, a maid in Ouro Sangrento[39], and Estrela in A Força do Xangô.[40] That same decade, she starred as the title character in Xica da Silva (1976), directed by Cacá Diegues, a performance that earned her the Best Actress Award at the Brasília Film Festival, as well as the Coruja de Ouro, Air France Award, and the Governor of the State Award.[24] She concluded the 1970s playing Zezé in Tudo Bem and appearing in Se Segura, Malandro!.[41]

During the early 1980s, she portrayed Maria das Graças in Águia na Cabeça[38] and appeared in Para Viver um Grande Amor[42] and Quilombo, the latter as Dandara.[43]

In 1987, she appeared in Sonhos de Menina-Moça as Vicky[24], Anjos da Noite as Malú, and Jubiabá as Rosenda.[44] The following year, she played Rita in Prisioneiro do Rio and Maria Elisa in Natal da Portela.[45] She closed the decade by voicing Ursula in the Brazilian Portuguese version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid[8] and portraying Dalila in Dias Melhores Virão.[46]

In the 1990s, Motta appeared in O Gato de Botas Extraterrestre[24] and played Crioula in A Serpente.[47] In 1996, she portrayed Carmosina in Tieta do Agreste[48] and, the following year, played Eduarda in O Testamento do Senhor Napumoceno.[49] She concluded the decade portraying the mother of the title character in Orfeu.[50]

In the early 2000s, she played Ada in Chronically Unviable[51] and appeared in the documentary The Denial of Brazil.[52] In 2002, she portrayed Fairy Kálix in Xuxa and the Elves 2 – On the Path of the Fairies [53]and appeared as the woman on the plane in Viva Sapato!.[38] Over the following two years, she starred in the short film Carolina and played Aurora Hipólito in Xuxa and the Treasure of the Lost City.[54] In 2005, she appeared in How Much Is It Worth or Is It by the Kilo?, followed in 2006 by the Lusophone production The Island of Slaves.[3] She concluded the decade with roles in Happy Desert and as Jerusa in Xuxa in The Mystery of Feiurinha.[38]

Activism

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Motta is one of the founders of the Unified Black Movement (MNU) and has consistently denounced racism in Brazilian society and media.[55] She has worked to promote the visibility of Black actors and artists and has been recognized for her contributions to racial equality in culture.[56]

She has participated in educational and cultural initiatives, including Telecurso 2000, and frequently engages in public discussions about the representation of Black Brazilians on television and in film.[57]

Zezé Motta founded CIDAN (Brazilian Center for Information and Documentation of the Black Artist) in 1984, after facing racism in the soap opera "Corpo a Corpo".[58] The center was created to combat the invisibility of Black actors, creating a registry to facilitate hiring and promote the professional appreciation of Black artists in the market.[59]

Personal life

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Zezé Motta has been married five times and has spoken openly about personal challenges, including multiple miscarriages.[60] She raised four children (Luciana, Cintia, Carla, and Robson), and only in 2020 did she legally adopt them, maintaining her ties with their biological families.[61] She is also the grandmother of Isadora (Luciana's daughter), Safyra (Cintia's daughter), and Gabriel (Robson's son).[3]

She practiced Candomblé, identifying herself as a daughter of Oxum Opará and Oxóssi, and has spoken publicly about her religious journey. She has been involved in almost every religion, being a Jehovah's Witness, a Spiritist, and a Catholic. Today, she defines herself as a devotee who believes in the power of the universe, but without religion.[62]

Zezé Motta has been honored several times at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival and continues to be an active cultural figure. She was honored by Arrastão de Cascadura in the 1989 carnival.[63] The samba school paraded at the Marquês de Sapucaí in Group 1-B (second division) with the theme "Zezé, A Song of Love and Race," celebrating her artistic career. The samba theme song was a major highlight that year.[3]

In 1999, Zezé Motta was again honored, alongside Ruth de Souza, Léa Garcia, and Chica Xavier as the "Black Ladies" of theater and TV at the Sapucaí, by the Lins Imperial samba school parade. The tribute took place in the third division of the Rio carnival (then Group B). Zezé was also the theme of Unidos da Vila Kennedy in Group C of the 2002 Rio Carnival. She paraded on all three occasions.[64]

In 2017, Zezé Motta was honored as the theme of the Acadêmicos do Sossego samba school, a Série A (now Série Ouro) in Rio de Janeiro[65], with the samba-enredo "Zezé Motta: The Ebony Goddess," celebrating her 50-year career and trajectory in film, theater, and the Black movement.[3]

Discography

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  1. Gerson Conrad & Zezé Motta (1974) LP/CD
  2. Zezé Motta (Prazer, Zezé) (1978) LP/CD
  3. Negritude (1979) LP/CD
  4. Anunciação / Negritude (1980) Compacto
  5. Dengo (1980) LP/CD
  6. O Nosso Amor / Três Travestis (1982) Compacto
  7. Frágil Força (1984) LP
  8. Quarteto Negro (with Paulo Moura, Djalma Correia and Jorge Degas) (1987) LP/CD
  9. La Femme Enchantée (1987) DVD
  10. A Chave dos Segredos (1995) CD
  11. Divina Saudade (2000)
  12. E-Collection Sucessos + Raridades (2001) 2 CDs
  13. Negra Melodia (2011) CD
  14. O Samba Mandou Me Chamar (2018) CD

Television

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Cinema

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lopes, Nei (2004). Enciclopedia Brasileira Da Diaspora Africana. Selo Negro. p. 454. ISBN 978-85-87478-21-4. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b Lopes, Nei (2006). Dicionario Escolar Afro-Brasileiro. Selo Negro. p. 173. ISBN 978-85-87478-29-0. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Atriz e cantora Zezé Motta completa 70 anos". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  4. ^ "Zezé Motta será condecorada com o Título de Cidadã de Salvador nesta terça-feira (18)". Camara municipal de salvador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  5. ^ a b Alvaro Neder, Artist biography, AllMusic.
  6. ^ "Beto Rockfeller, a primeira novela de Zez". www.blogdazeze.com.br. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Zezé Motta". memoriaglobo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 9 June 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d Pinotti, Fernanda. "Zezé Motta completa 80 anos: relembre carreira da atriz além de Xica da Silva". CNN Brasil.
  9. ^ Purepeople. "Fabio Jr. e Zezé Motta integraram o elenco de 'Ciranda Cirandinha' - Foto". www.purepeople.com.br. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Transas e Caretas". memoriaglobo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 29 October 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  11. ^ "Trabalhos na Globo". memoriaglobo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 9 June 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  12. ^ Assistir Memória Globo - Pacto de Sangue: Quilombo online | Globoplay (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026 – via globoplay.globo.com.
  13. ^ "TV-Pesquisa". www.tv-pesquisa.com.puc-rio.br. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  14. ^ Série Mãe de Santo - Episódio: Exu (in Brazilian Portuguese). 13 February 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2026 – via acervo.cultne.tv.
  15. ^ a b Continente, Revista. ""Eu precisava me respeitar também como artista"". Revista Continente (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  16. ^ "Ficha Técnica". memoriaglobo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 29 October 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  17. ^ "A PRÓXIMA VÍTIMA". memoriaglobo.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  18. ^ "A inesquecível Xica da Silva". Gazeta do Povo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 15 August 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  19. ^ "Orquestra Sinfônica Juvenil Chiquinha Gonzaga convida Zezé Motta". SESI-SP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  20. ^ Silva, Jorge (13 March 2026). "A arte de Zezé Motta nos palcos". Sesc São Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  21. ^ "Personagens". memoriaglobo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  22. ^ "Zezé Motta despede-se de «Ouro Verde»: «Fui tratada como uma rainha»" (in European Portuguese). 24 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  23. ^ ""Nunca fiquei tão triste", diz Zezé Motta sobre papel em "Boogie Oogie"". Midia news.
  24. ^ a b c d Aya, Giullyana. "Prêmio Zezé Motta vai homenagear a atriz por sua relevância na cultura nacional".
  25. ^ "Zezé Motta responde a ataques de presidente da Fundação Palmares: 'Pretos vergonhosos? Somos nós que lutamos!'". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 16 November 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  26. ^ "'A escrava que virou rainha': documentário e livros revivem história da brasileira que rompeu padrões do século 18". BBC News Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  27. ^ "Zezé Motta será mãe de Luís Miranda em 'A grande família' - Patrícia Kogut, O Globo". Patrícia Kogut (in Brazilian Portuguese). 18 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  28. ^ ""Cheguei a pesquisar se existia uma cirurgia para diminuir o bumbum", Zezé Motta relembra racismo na juventude em entrevista ao Roda Viva - Revista Afirmativa" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 17 November 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  29. ^ "Atriz Zezé Motta resgata memórias na série Depoimentos Cariocas". Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  30. ^ Administrador (25 August 2025). "Zezé Motta: uma vida espetacular". Revista Fever (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  31. ^ "'Orfeu:' Reborn in Romantic Rio, Orpheus Flavors Samba With Rap". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  32. ^ "Zezé Motta Discography - Download Albums in Hi-Res". Qobuz (in Flemish). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  33. ^ "Senhora Liberdade - Zezé Motta". Letras.mus.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  34. ^ "Trocando Em Miúdos oleh Zezé Motta - Lirik & Cover". www.starmakerstudios.com. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  35. ^ "Zezé Motta Tour Statistics: Tour Atendendo a Pedidos | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  36. ^ Noronha, Danielber (4 March 2023). "Exclusivo: Zezé Motta fala sobre o espetáculo "Coração Vagabundo", onde canta sucessos de Caetano Veloso". Tapis Rouge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  37. ^ "Zezé Motta é a homenageada do 24º Festival de Cinema de Vitória". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 August 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  38. ^ a b c d FICINE (26 June 2024). "Zezé Motta, 80 anos: a Mulher do Amanhã" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  39. ^ AdoroCinema. Cordão de Ouro (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026 – via www.adorocinema.com.
  40. ^ AdoroCinema. A Força de Xangô (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026 – via www.adorocinema.com.
  41. ^ "Zezé Motta: 'Sou do tempo em que os personagens negros não tinham família'". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 3 January 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  42. ^ Novabrasil (27 June 2023). "A importância de Zezé Motta para a cultura brasileira". Novabrasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  43. ^ Canby, Vincent (28 March 1986). "THE SCREEN: 'QUILOMBO'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  44. ^ "Itaú Cultural Play homenageia a atriz Zezé Motta com mostra de filmes – Revista de Cinema" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 22 June 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  45. ^ "Zezé Motta chega aos 80 anos mais conhecida e festejada como atriz e personalidade do que como cantora". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 27 June 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  46. ^ FICINE (26 June 2024). "Zezé Motta, 80 anos: a Mulher do Amanhã" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  47. ^ Calçade, Paula (1 August 2025). "Zezé Motta faz sucesso nos palcos com o monólogo "Eu Vou Fazer de Mim um Mundo", baseado em obra da escritora Maya Angelou". 29HORAS (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  48. ^ "Tieta - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". www.nytimes.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  49. ^ Nascimento, Frederico Lopes / Marco Oliveira / Guilherme. "O Testamento do Senhor Napumoceno da Silva Araújo". CinePT-Cinema Portugues (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  50. ^ "'Orfeu:' Reborn in Romantic Rio, Orpheus Flavors Samba With Rap". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  51. ^ "Aos 78, Zezé Motta nega perda de libido: 'Podemos ter vida sexual ativa'". www.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  52. ^ "Denying Brazil | African Film Festival, Inc". Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  53. ^ "ISTOÉ Gente". www.terra.com.br. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  54. ^ Londrina, Carlos Eduardo Lourenço Jorge-Folha de (17 December 2004). "Novo filme da Xuxa chega aos cinemas de todo o Brasil". Bonde. O seu portal (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  55. ^ "Brazil and Racism: Examining the Unified Black Movement, 1970-2000 · WOU Repository · WOU". wou.omeka.net. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  56. ^ Moore, Zelbert L. (1989). "Out of the Shadows: Black and Brown Struggles for Recognition and Dignity in Brazil, 1964-1985". Journal of Black Studies. 19 (4): 394–410. ISSN 0021-9347.
  57. ^ "Folha de S.Paulo - Novo "Telecurso" vai ao ar pela Globo a partir do próximo sábado - 20/11/1994". www1.folha.uol.com.br. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  58. ^ Preta, Alma (7 August 2020). "Zezé Motta: mais de 50 anos de vivência representativa na arte". AlmaPreta (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  59. ^ Admin (7 May 2019). "Zezé Motta moves the audience at PUCRS, at the closing of the 12th FestiPoa Literária". PUCRS. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  60. ^ Erlichman, Claudio (1 January 1970). "PRAZER, ZEZÉ!: Musical to Premiere in São Paulo Celebrates the Life of Zezé Motta". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  61. ^ "Com look exclusivo, Zezé Motta surge radiante ao Baile da Vogue 2019". Vogue (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 March 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  62. ^ Série Mãe de Santo - Episódio: Euá (in Brazilian Portuguese). 15 February 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2026 – via acervo.cultne.tv.
  63. ^ "SAMBARIO - O site dos sambas-enredo". www.sambariocarnaval.com. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  64. ^ "Rio Carnival: Tribute to black women crowned winner". 15 February 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  65. ^ "Zezé Motta estreia novela na Record e lança o disco 'O Samba Mandou me Chamar'. "Dá uma tristeza enorme quando a gente vê um ato de racismo" - Heloisa Tolipan". Heloisa Tolipan (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  66. ^ Gois, Ancelmo (8 July 2023). "Agenda de estrela: Zezé Motta grava novela, filme, série e foi descoberta por mercado publicitário". O Globo (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  67. ^ Pazin, Arthur. "Zezé Motta grava participação em Salve-se Quem Puder como avó de Úrsula" (in Portuguese). Observatório da Televisão. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  68. ^ Lima, Débora (26 March 2020). "Em Salve-se Quem Puder, Helena encontra Úrsula dopada e dá basta: 'Última chance" (in Portuguese). Notícia da TV. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
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