Jece Valadão, pseudonym of Gecy Valadão (July 24, 1930 – November 27, 2006), was a Brazilian actor, director and producer. He became known by his cafajeste (a womanizing, roguish crook) roles in films such as Rio 40 graus (1955) and Os Cafajestes (1962).^[1][2]

Career

Born in Campos dos Goytacazes in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, he was raised in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim in Espírito Santo, due to the transfer of his father, a railroader, to the city.^[3] He moved to Rio de Janeiro alone, where he began his theatrical studies, thus forming himself as an actor, acting in cinema, stage and television. In addition to acting in more than one hundred films, he also specialized as a director and producer. In the 1970s, he was an actor and, mainly, a producer of comedies and erotic police films. One of his last appearances on television was in the HBO Latin America series Filhos do Carnaval.^[4]

Personal life

Valadão was married six times, the last one to actress Vera Gimenez from 1974 until his death in 2006. From this marriage he had a son: actor Marco Antônio Gimenez (b.1981) The artist was also the stepfather of television presenter Luciana Gimenez.^[5] Valadão had a total of nine children from previous relationships. In 1995, he was converted to Protestantism, even becoming pastor of a Assembly of God church.^[6]

On November 21, 2006, Jece Valadão felt ill and was admitted to the ICU of the Panamericano Hospital, in São Paulo, and at 5:20 pm on November 27, he died due to respiratory failure. He was buried in Jardim da Saudade Cemitério Parque, in the city of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim.^[4][7]

Filmography

Film

References