Fernanda Montenegro

Actor · Born October 16, 1929 (97) · Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Oscar nominee · Golden Globe nominee · 1 other major award body

Arlette Pinheiro Monteiro Torres CRB • GCONM • COCS • OMC (Rio de Janeiro, October 16, 1929), better known as Fernanda Montenegro, is a Brazilian actress and writer. She is often referred to as "the grand dame of Brazilian dramaturgy" and "the greatest actress in the history of Brazil" for her extensive work in cinema, theater and television. Internationally recognized, Fernanda was the first Brazilian to win the International Emmy in the best actress category for her performance in Doce de Mãe (2013), in addition to winning a Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and receiving nominations for Golden Globe and Academy Award for best actress for her work in Central do Brasil (1998), being the first Latin American, Portuguese-speaking and Brazilian woman to be nominated in this category.

Biography from TMDB.

Born: October 16, 1929 (97)
From: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Works as: Actor
Titles: 19 on MovieCove · 113 credits in all
Links: IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 26% in 30 days

What are Fernanda Montenegro's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama9 titles75^th

Comedy4 titles45^th

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight

Bonds

34%

Morality

22%

Power

14%

Survival

12%

Ideas

Self

Society

Romantic love5 Family bonds5 Justice3 Survival3 Class3 Guilt2 Redemption2 Friendship2

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 1 · Wry 1 · Earnest 14

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 7

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 8 · Intense 5

Steady

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 4

Slow burn

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Engaged

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 0

Affecting

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 9

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero

4 of 10

Herald

2 of 10

Mentor

2 of 10

Ally

1 of 10

Shapeshifter

1 of 10

Show the 10 roles

Heroas Fernanda in Pecado Mortal (1970)
Allyas Romana in They Don't Wear Black Tie (1981)
Heraldas Madame Carlota in Hour of the Star (1985)
Heroas Dora in Central Station (1998)
Shapeshifteras Dora in Central Station (1998)
Mentoras Dora in Central Station (1998)
Mentoras Bibiana Terra Cambará (idosa) in Time and the Wind (2013)
Heraldas Marta Amarantes in O Juízo (2019)
Heroas Nina in Vitoria (2025)
Heroas Marta in Velhos Bandidos (2026)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic

Tense

Warm

Romantic

Joyful

Other

How their films linger

Hopeful7 Bittersweet6 Feel-good4 Devastating3 Haunting3 Thought-provoking3

How their films end · 1 with a twist

Happy5
Bittersweet7
Tragic2
Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Fernanda Montenegro's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (3).

Subscription and free streaming for Fernanda Montenegro's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

113 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 36 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

Emergency 53 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Show 10 episodes · as Dona Laura
Velhos Bandidos(2026)
as Marta
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
The Rogue's Trial (TV Series) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Show 1 episode · as Compadecida (uncredited)
Films to Die For (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Milton Bituca Nascimento (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
as Narrator (voice)
Vitoria(2025)
as Nina
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
A Dog's Will 2(2024)
as Compadecida (archive footage)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
I'm Still Here(2024)
as Eunice Paiva (Older)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Fernanda e Nathalia - Amigas de uma Vida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Actor
Maria: Ninguém Sabe Quem Sou Eu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
as Narrator
70 Anos Esta Noite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)
Actor
Gilda, Lúcia and The Goat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
as Gilda
Babenco: Tell Me When I Die(2019)
as Banquet Attendee
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Love and Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Show 4 episodes · as Gilda
O Juízo(2019)
as Marta Amarantes
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
as Carminha
Invisible Life(2019)
as Older Eurídice Gusmão
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Lina Bo Bardi — A Marvelous Entanglement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
as Lina Bo Bardi
Sweet Diva(2019)
Show 1 episode · as Dulce Ramirez
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows
As Vilãs Que Amamos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
Show 16 episodes · Actor
The Asphalt Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
as Dona Matilde
O Outro Lado do Paraíso: As Vinganças de Clara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
Show 10 episodes · as Mercedes Álcantara Tavares
Incidente em Antares - O Filme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
as Quitéria Campolargo
Asdrúbal Trouxe o Trombone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Actor
The Other Side of Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 173 episodes · as Mercedes Álcantara Tavares
All Paulos in the World - Paulo José (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Actor
Nelson: Por Ele Mesmo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 6 episodes · Actor
Saideira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 26 episodes · Actor
Cícero Dias, o Compadre de Picasso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
as "Voz" de Raymonde
Luz, Câmera, 50 Anos: Hoje é Dia de Maria - O Filme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Madastra
Ambitious Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Show 143 episodes · as Teresa Petruccelli
Natal Mágico da Xuxa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
as Narradora
A Primeira Missa ou Tristes Tropeços, Enganos e Urucum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
as Nossa Senhora
Rio, I Love You(2014)
as Dona Fulana (segment "Dona Fulana")
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
Childhood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
as Dona Mocinha
Good Luck(2014)
as Célia
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Sweet Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Show 14 episodes · as Dona Picucha (Maria Izabel de Souza)
O Tempo e o Vento (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Show 3 episodes · as Bibiana Terra Cambará
Time and the Wind(2013)
as Bibiana Terra Cambará (idosa)
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Damas da TV (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Saramandaia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
Show 56 episodes · as Candinha Rosado
Sweet Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
as Dona Picucha (Maria Izabel de Souza)
The Lady from Estácio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
as Zulmira
The Brazilians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
Show 22 episodes · as Mary Torres
Cena Secreta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
Actor
Passione (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Show 209 episodes · as Elizabete Monteiro Gouveia (Bete)
Caro Francis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Actor
O Natal do Menino Imperador (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
as Narração
Queridos Amigos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Show 25 episodes · as Iraci Guimarães Moutinho
Love in the Time of Cholera(2007)
as Transito Ariza
Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films
Eles Não Usam Black-Tie - Conversando com o Elenco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Actor
A Meeting with Milton Santos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Narradora
Belíssima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Show 209 episodes · as Beatriz Falcão (Bia)
The House of Sand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
as Dona Maria / Áurea (1942-1969) / Maria (1969)
Hoje é Dia de Maria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Show 8 episodes · as Dona Cabeça · as Madrasta
City of Festivals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Actor
Redeemer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as D. Isaura
Olga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as Leocádia Prestes
The Other Side of the Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as Regina
Pastores da Noite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 4 episodes · as Tibéria
As Filhas da Mãe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 125 episodes · as Lulu de Luxemburgo
Brava Gente (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 1 episode · as Caixa · as Irene · as Recepcionista · as Tibéria
A Dog's Will(2000)
as Compadecida
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
As Malibrans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
as Virtual diva
Twins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Mãe
Treason (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Mulher no bar / Mãe de Dagmar
O Belo e as Feras (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 1 episode · Actor
O Auto da Compadecida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 4 episodes · as Compadecida
Central Station(1998)
as Isadora 'Dora' Teixeira
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Four Days in September(1997)
as Dona Margarida
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Zazá (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Show 215 episodes · as Marisa Dumont (Zazá)
Visão do Paraíso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
as Narradora
Incidente em Antares (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Show 12 episodes · as Quitéria Campolargo
Rio's Love Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
as (segment "Samba do Grande Amor")
A Comédia da Vida Privada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Show 1 episode · Actor
O Mapa da Mina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Show 137 episodes · as Madalena Moraes
Jequitibá (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Show 216 episodes · as Jacutinga
The Flash and Crash Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Actor
O Dono do Mundo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Show 197 episodes · as Olga Portela
Riacho Doce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
Show 40 episodes · as Vó Manuela Nunes
Rainha da Sucata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
Show 3 episodes · as Salomé Szimanski
Fire and Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Rainha no Castelo
Trancado por Dentro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Dona Ivete
Hour of the Star(1985)
as Madame Carlota
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Cambalacho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Show 179 episodes · as Leonarda Furtado (Naná)
Guerra dos Sexos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Show 185 episodes · as Charlotte de Alcântara Pereira Barreto
O Homem de Areia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
as Narradora
Brilhante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Show 155 episodes · as Francisca Newman (Chica)
They Don't Wear Black Tie(1981)
as Romana
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Dance with Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Show 165 episodes · as Silvia Toledo
Chico Total (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Terra dos Índios (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Actor
Cara a Cara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 222 episodes · as Madame Ingrid Von Herbert
Everything's Alright (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
as Elvira Barata
The Trapalhões (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 1 episode · as Ela mesma
Marília e Marina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Actor
O Gesto, a Festa, a Mensagem - Dois Mil Anos de Teatro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
as Mary Cavan Tyrone - Longa Viagem do Dia Para Dentro da Noite, de Eugene O'Neill
Teatro Brasileiro: Origem e Mudança (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Actor
Joanna Francesa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Joana (narração)
Em Família (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
as Anita
A Vida de Jesus Cristo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
as Samaritana
Pecado Mortal(1970)
as Fernanda
Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Minha Namorada(1970)
Actor
Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films
Dez Vidas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Show 209 episodes · as amiga de Bárbara Heliodora
Sangue do Meu Sangue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Show 284 episodes · as Júlia
Os Estranhos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Show 115 episodes · as Walkíria (1ª versão)
A Muralha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Show 210 episodes · as Mãe Cândida Olinto
Redenção (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Show 616 episodes · as Lisa
Calúnia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Show 53 episodes · as Amália
The Language of Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Actor
The Deceased (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
as Zulmira
A Muralha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)
Show 15 episodes · as Ana
A Esperança é Eterna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)
as Narração

Career shape

Star power in the 99^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 113 titles from 1954 to 2026; peak year 2025.

Biggest box office

I'm Still Here (2024)

$36M worldwide

Highest rated

A Dog's Will (2000)

Midcredits 99^th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout

19542026

Peak 2025 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

1965Screen debut· The Deceased
1965First top-billed film· The Deceased
1998Breakout· Central Station

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting113 of 113 · 75^th

By decade

1950s2 · acting1960s8 · acting1970s12 · acting1980s10 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s33 · acting2020s14 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 33% of 18 roles

40%

20%

38%

650010

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

1 major award from 3 major nominations, 1998–1999.

WinNomination

1999
- Oscar, nominated · Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
1998
- Berlinale award, won · Best Actress

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Fernanda Montenegro's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 82^nd percentile, the median of all 18; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 79^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

79^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

67^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

86^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

75^th and up10
50^th to 74^th3
25^th to 49^th3
Below 25^th3

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 19 titles are Universally Loved.

Universally Loved8
Crowd Pleaser3
Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Time and the Wind (2013)

57^th percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

A Dog's Will (2000)

Midcredits 99^th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Fernanda Montenegro's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles

Violence & Gore5 titles26–54 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all films

Sex & Nudity6 titles7–76 · median 45 · moderateheavier than most films

Profanity5 titles34–50 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all films

Alcohol & Drugs5 titles37–55 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all films

Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 40 · moderate

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Fernanda Montenegro work with?

People who share at least 2 of Fernanda Montenegro's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Renata Brandão shares the most, 5.

Fernanda Montenegro

What are Fernanda Montenegro's films like?

Genres

Themes

What they feel like to watch

Roles they play

Moods and endings

Where can I watch Fernanda Montenegro's films?

Filmography

Career shape

Film career

By role

By decade

Billing

Awards

How do Fernanda Montenegro's films land?

Shape of the crowd

Is Fernanda Montenegro's work okay for kids?

Who does Fernanda Montenegro work with?

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles