Lázaro Ramos

Luís Lázaro Sacramento de Araújo Ramos, professionally known as Lázaro Ramos, is a prominent Brazilian actor, television host, director, writer, and human rights activist. Born on November 1, 1978, he has established himself as one of the most recognized figures in Brazilian performing arts and media, earning widespread recognition for his work across film, television, and theater.

Ramos began his artistic journey in 1983 as a member of the Flock of Olodum Theater group located in Salvador. His major break into national film acting occurred in 2002 when he portrayed João Francisco dos Santos in the critically praised feature film Madame Satã. This performance established his reputation as a major cinematic performer in Brazil.

Following his initial breakthrough, Ramos appeared in numerous prominent feature films. His motion picture credits include O Homem que Copiava in 2003, Meu Tio Matou um Cara in 2004, Cidade Baixa in 2005, and Ó Pai, Ó in 2007. Later film projects include O Vendedor de Passados and Tudo Que Aprendemos Juntos in 2015, Mundo Cão in 2016, O Beijo no Asfalto in 2018, and O Silêncio da Chuva in 2021.

In television, Ramos achieved significant prominence for playing the character Foguinho in the series Cobras & Lagartos, a performance that earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 35th International Emmy Awards in 2007. He subsequently starred in series such as Duas Caras, Lado a Lado, Geração Brasil, and Mister Brau. Additionally, he hosted the interview program Espelho on Canal Brasil starting in 2006, as well as TV Globo programs such as Lazinho com Você and Os Melhores Anos das Nossas Vidas.

Beyond acting, Ramos has expanded into writing and directing. He directed several segments of Espelho, documentaries including Zózimo Bulbul in 2006 and Bando, um Filme De in 2018, and the 2022 feature film Executive Order, which he also authored. As a literary author, he has published children's literature, including A Velha Sentada, Caderno de rimas do João, Descobrindo a minha história, and Sinto o que sinto, alongside two memoirs titled Na Minha Pele and Na Nossa Pele.

Ramos has received multiple honors throughout his career, including Prêmios Arte Qualidade Brasil, two Prêmios APCA, and honors from the Festival de Gramado such as a Kikito and a Troféu Oscarito. He also won a best director award at the Festival de Cinema Itinerante da Língua Portuguesa for Executive Order. Revista Época designated him among the 100 most influential Brazilians in 2007 and 2009. In 2011, he received the Camélia da Liberdade award in the Press category for supporting social inclusion for Afro-descendants.

In addition to his creative pursuits, Ramos serves as a UNICEF ambassador for Brazil, a position he has held since July 2009, actively advocating against racism and promoting human rights. In his personal life, he is married to actress and presenter Taís Araújo, whom he met in late 2004. The couple began dating after her previous relationship ended, became engaged in 2005, and have two children: a son, João Vicente, born in 2011, and a daughter, Maria Antônia, born in 2015.