11 Facts About Breno Mello

Breno Higino de Mello was a Brazilian athlete and actor.

Breno Mello is primarily known for playing the title role in the 1959 film Orfeu Negro.

Breno Mello played soccer for Renner, Corinthians, Fluminense, and for Santos FC, where he met Pele.

Breno Mello was walking in Rio de Janeiro, when director Marcel Camus stopped him and asked if he would like to be in a film.

Breno Mello was not part of the group representing the film for these awards.

However, more than 40 years later, Breno Mello attended the Cannes festival at the expense of the Brazilian government, and with the invitation of the producers of the 2005 documentary In Search of Black Orpheus, by Bernard Tournois and Rene Letzgus.

Breno Mello appeared in several other films, including Rata de puerto, Os Vencidos, O Santo Modico, O Negrinho do Pastoreio and Prisoner of Rio.

However, Breno Mello was unable to maintain regular employment as an actor.

Breno Mello lived in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, where he met Amelina Santos Correa, known as Mana.

Breno Mello died in his hometown of Porto Alegre, Brazil, at the age of 76 years on July 14,2008, from a heart attack.

Breno Mello's Black Orpheus co-star, American-born actress Marpessa Dawn, died 42 days later of a heart attack, in Paris, France.