Wagner Moura is a renowned Brazilian actor, director, and screenwriter was born on June 27th, 1976, in Salvador, Bahia. He initially studied journalism before discovering his passion for acting, which he pursued through theater training in his teenage years. Moura’s acting career took off in the early 2000s, with roles in several acclaimed Brazilian films, including Behind the Sun, (2001) Carandiru, (2003) and Cidade Baixa (2005). His breakout performance as the police captain Roberto Nascimento in the 2007 film Elite Squad and its 2010 sequel cemented his status as one of Brazil’s leading actors, earning him critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2013, Moura made his Hollywood debut in the sci-fi film Elysium, starring alongside Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. His most notable international role, however, came in the Netflix series Narcos (2018-2021), where he delivered a captivating portrayal of the notorious Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar. This performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama. Moura’s talent extends beyond acting, as he has also proven himself as a skilled director and screenwriter. In 2019, he directed, co-wrote, and produced the biographical film Marighella, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and received critical acclaim. In 2025, he received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his role in the 2025 film The Secret Agent.
