Grande Otelo

Acting

Freshness: Jan 16, 2026

50Total Films

9.5 Highest Rated

Born: Oct 18, 1915

Birth Place: Ubêrlandia, MInas Gerais, Brazil

About Grande Otelo

Grande Otelo, pseudonym of Sebastião Bernardes de Souza Prata OMC (Uberlândia, October 18, 1915 – Roissy-en-France, November 26, 1993), was a Brazilian actor, comedian, singer, producer and composer. He was an artist in Rio's casinos and in the so-called revue theater, he participated in several successful Brazilian films, including the famous chanchadas in the 1940s and 1950s, which he starred in in partnership with the comic Oscarito, and the film version of Macunaíma, made in 1969. He is often cited as one of the most important actors in Brazilian history.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Grande Otelo reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Grande Otelo's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 52% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Grande Otelo remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Romance Proibido, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Grande Otelo Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Grande Otelo's career based on audience ratings.

★9.5

★9.5

Romance Proibido — The love misadventures of a teacher, a woman who gives up living in a big city in order to teach country children how to

Romance Proibido

1944•Drama

★9.0

The Long Voyage of the Yellow Bus (2023) movie poster

★9.0

The Long Voyage of the Yellow Bus — For this behemoth, Bressane took his opera omnia and edited it in an order that first adheres to historical chronology b

The Long Voyage of the Yellow Bus

2023•Documentary

★8.2

★8.2

Rio, Northern Zone — A talented songwriter of sambas is forced to face the social injustices of the city around him.

Rio, Northern Zone

1957•Drama

★8.0

Assault on the Pay Train (1962) movie poster

★8.0

Assault on the Pay Train — Based on true events in Rio de Janeiro, in 1960, when a gang having the infamous outlaw Tião Medonho as a leader perform

Assault on the Pay Train

1962•Crime

★8.0

O Negrinho do Pastoreio —

O Negrinho do Pastoreio

1973•Drama

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Grande Otelo.

Year	Movie	Character	Success	More
2023	Nelson Pereira dos Santos – A Life of Cinema	Self (archive footage)	Hit	Similar →
2023	The Long Voyage of the Yellow Bus	-	Super Hit	Similar →
2020	O Samba é Primo do Jazz	(imagens de arquivo)	Average	Similar →
2014	Naked Eye	Self (archive footage)	Average	Similar →
2009	Paulo Gracindo - O Bem Amado	Self	Average	Similar →
1997	It's All Brazil	Self (archive footage)	Average	Similar →
1993	It's All True	Self	Super Hit	Similar →
1991	A Embaixatriz do Samba	Self	Hit	Similar →
1990	Boca de Ouro	-	Hit	Similar →
1990	Welles' Language	Narrator	Average	Similar →
1988	Abolition	Himself	Hit	Similar →
1988	Natal da Portela	Seu Napoleão	Hit	Similar →
1987	Jubiabá	Jubiabá	Flop	Similar →
1987	Running Out of Luck	-	Average	Similar →
1986	It's Not All True	Himself	Hit	Similar →
1984	Quilombo	Babá	Hit	Similar →
1982	Fitzcarraldo	Station Master	Super Hit	Similar →
1981	Brasil	Self (archive footage)	Super Hit	Similar →
1981	Noel por Noel	-	Average	Similar →
1980	Asa Branca: A Brazilian Dream	-	Average	Similar →
1977	Sweet Thieves	Ruy Zebra	Hit	Similar →
1977	Lucio Flavio	Dondinho	Hit	Similar →
1976	The Agony	Sinhô	Super Hit	Similar →
1976	Bahia	-	Flop	Similar →
1975	King of the Cards	Rei do Baralho	Average	Similar →
1975	Assim Era a Atlântida	-	Super Hit	Similar →
1975	Chinese Viola	Self	Average	Similar →
1974	The Star Rises	Grande Otelo	Average	Similar →
1973	O Negrinho do Pastoreio	-	Super Hit	Similar →
1972	Cassy Jones, the Magnificent Seducer	Porteiro do teatro	Flop	Similar →
1971	Se Meu Dólar Falasse...	Tisiu	Flop	Similar →
1970	The Heirs	Americo	Average	Similar →
1970	The Hullabaloo Family	Divina Dama	Average	Similar →
1969	Macunaima	Black Macunaíma / Macunaíma's son	Hit	Similar →
1969	Alibi	tranviere	Flop	Similar →
1962	Assault on the Pay Train	Cachaça	Super Hit	Similar →
1962	The Cosmonauts	Zenóbio	Average	Similar →
1961	O Dono da Bola	-	Average	Similar →
1959	Os Três Cangaceiros	-	Average	Similar →
1957	Com Jeito Vai	-	Hit	Similar →
1957	Rio, Northern Zone	Espírito da Luz Soares	Super Hit	Similar →
1957	A Baronesa Transviada	Benedito	Average	Similar →
1957	Metido a Bacana	Coalhada	Hit	Similar →
1954	Matar ou Correr	Ciscocada	Hit	Similar →
1952	I Loved a Bookie	Passarinho	Average	Similar →
1952	Carnaval Atlântida	Miro	Hit	Similar →
1950	Aviso aos Navegantes	Azulão	Hit	Similar →
1949	Também Somos Irmãos	Moleque Miro	Super Hit	Similar →
1947	Luz dos Meus Olhos	-	Average	Similar →
1944	Romance Proibido	-	Super Hit	Similar →

Grande Otelo - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Grande Otelo?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Grande Otelo is "Romance Proibido" with a rating of 9.5/10.

How many movies has Grande Otelo acted in?

Grande Otelo has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Grande Otelo?

Other notable films include "The Long Voyage of the Yellow Bus", "Rio, Northern Zone", and "Assault on the Pay Train".