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José Wilker

José Wilker

Actor · Died April 5, 2014, aged 67 · Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil

José Wilker Almeida (20 August 1944 – 5 April 2014) was a Brazilian film, stage, and television actor and director. The actor gained fame in telenovelas like Roque Santeiro (1985), but became known internationally for his role as Vadinho, the husband who returns from the dead to tempt Sônia Braga's character in the movie Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 20, 1946
Died
April 5, 2014 (aged 67)
From
Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil
Works as
Actor
Titles
9 on MovieCove · 124 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 37 days to Oct 26Up 17% in 30 days

What are José Wilker's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

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
31%
Morality
27%
Power
15%
Self
11%
Survival
11%
Society
5%
Romantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 5 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 4 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles
Shadow
1 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4
Hero
1 of 4
Ally
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Melancholic
4
Absurd
3
Bittersweet
3
Joyful
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Bittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

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 José Wilker's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 2 of their 9 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on MUBI (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for José Wilker'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

124 credits, 9 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • As Aventuras do Pequeno Colombo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Conde de Saint-Germain

  • Magnifica 70 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tiradentes

  • Isolados (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Dr. Fausto

  • The Duel: A Story Where Truth Is Mere Detail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Chico Pacheco

  • Golden Oldies 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Juca

  • Invisible World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Segment "Kreuko"

  • Trail of Lies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 221 episodes · as Herbert Marques

  • Giovanni Improtta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · as Giovanni Improtta

  • Gabriela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 77 episodes · as Coronel Jesuíno Mendonça

  • O Brado Retumbante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 8 episodes · as Floriano Pedreira

  • Elvis & Madonna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Pachecão

  • A Melhor Idade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Antenor

  • The Well Beloved One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · as Zeca Diabo

  • The Time and Turn of Augusto Matraga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Joãozinho Bem-Bem

  • Tancredo - A Travessia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • The Well Beloved One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Zeca Diabo

  • Na Forma da Lei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 8 episodes · as Dr. Mourão

  • Now Boarding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Fulano

  • Cinquentinha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 8 episodes · as Daniel Lopes de Carvalho

  • O Sonho de Inacim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Danilo

  • Golden Oldies(2008)

    as Juca

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Three Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 179 episodes · as Augusto Pinheiro

  • Sexo com Amor? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Jorge

  • Two Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 210 episodes · as Francisco Macieira

  • Amazônia: De Galvez a Chico Mendes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 55 episodes · as Luis Gálvez

  • Canta Maria(2006)

    as Lampião

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Greatest Love of All (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Antônio

  • JK (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 47 episodes · as Juscelino Kubitschek

  • Redeemer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Dr. Sabóia

  • Her Own Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 221 episodes · as Giovanni Improtta

  • Onde Anda Você (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mandarim

  • Maria, Mãe do Filho de Deus(2003)

    as Pilatos

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Man of the Year(2003)

    as Sílvio

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Viva Sapato! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Fernando

  • Banquete (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Dead in the Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Father

  • Desejos de Mulher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 185 episodes · as Ariel Godoy

  • The Fifth of Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 47 episodes · as Marquês de Marialva

  • Suspiros Republicanos ao Crepúsculo de um Império Tropical (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Narrator

  • Um Anjo Caiu do Céu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 185 episodes · as Tarso de Montaltino

  • Villa-Lobos: A Life of Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Donizetti

  • A Muralha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dom Diogo

  • Mild Poison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 209 episodes · as Waldomiro Cerqueira

  • For All - O Trampolim da Vitória (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Giancarlo Sandrini

  • Guerra de Canudos - Minissérie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 4 episodes · Co-Producer · as Antônio Conselheiro

  • The Battle of Canudos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Producer · as Antônio Conselheiro

  • A Justiceira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Ronaldo

  • Little Book of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Alaor

  • Anjo de Mim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Bianor

  • Delicado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • O Fim do Mundo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 35 episodes · as Sebastião "Tião" Socó

  • A Vida Como Ela É... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 40 episodes · as Narrador (voice)

  • Sai de Baixo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Next Victim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 203 episodes · as Marcelo Rossi

  • Josué de Castro, Cidadão do Mundo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator

  • Fera Ferida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 210 episodes · as Demóstenes Maçaranduba da Costa

  • Black August (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 16 episodes · as Pedro Lomagno

  • Jequitibá (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 216 episodes · as Belarmino

  • Paixão e Guerra no Sertão de Canudos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Narrador

  • Anos Rebeldes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 20 episodes · as Fábio Brito

  • Medicine Man(1992)

    as Dr. Miguel Ornega

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Mico Preto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 179 episodes · as Frederico Menezes Garcia

  • Lovely Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Álvaro

  • A Porta Aberta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Solidão, Uma Linda História de Amor(1989)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Better Days Ahead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Wallace Caldeira

  • O Salvador da Pátria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 187 episodes · as João Matos / Miro Ferraz

  • Doida Demais (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Noé

  • Prisoner of Rio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Salo

  • China, o Império do Centro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Narrator

  • Leila Diniz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Henrique Martins

  • Carmem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 192 episodes · Director · as Camilo Prata

  • Fonte da Saudade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Subway to the Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Professor

  • Helena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 162 episodes · Director

  • Corpo Santo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 161 episodes · Director · as Ulisses Queiróz

  • Besame Mucho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Xico

  • The Man in the Black Cape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Tenório Cavalcanti

  • Baixo Gávea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Maluco da bomba

  • Roque Santeiro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 209 episodes · as Luis Roque Duarte ("Roque Santeiro")

  • Um Sonho a Mais (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 155 episodes · as chefe de reportagem

  • Jango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Narrator

  • São Bernardo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Transas e Caretas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 167 episodes · Director · as Thiago Moura Imperial Leme

  • O Bom Burguês (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Lucas

  • Mad Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 167 episodes · Director

  • Bandidos da Falange (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 20 episodes · as Tito Lívio

  • Final Feliz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 161 episodes · as Rodrigo Mendonça

  • Fiebre amarilla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • The King of the Candle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Abelardo Segundo

  • Brilhante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 155 episodes · as Sidney da Costa Pinto / Osvaldo Mesquita

  • Los crápulas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Bonitinha Mas Ordinária ou Otto Lara Rezende(1981)

    as Edgar

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Plumas & Paetês (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 191 episodes · as Renato / Paulo

  • Bye Bye Brazil(1980)

    as Lorde Cigano

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Batalha dos Guararapes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as João Fernandes Vieira

  • Professor Kranz german in Germany (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Leleco

  • Diamante Bruto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Confissões de Uma Viúva Moça (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands(1976)

    as Waldomiro 'Vadinho' Santos Guimarães

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Xica (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Conde Valadares

  • Anjo Mau (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 173 episodes · as Rodrigo Medeiros

  • Deliciosas Traições do Amor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Ana, a Libertina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • O Casal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Alfredo Giacometti

  • Gabriela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 132 episodes · as Mundinho Falcão (Raimundo Falcão)

  • Amor e Medo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Corrida do Ouro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 178 episodes · as Fábio Rossi

  • Os Ossos do Barão (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 127 episodes · as Martino

  • Cavalo de Aço (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 180 episodes · as Atílio

  • Dybbuk: The Demon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Hannan

  • O Bofe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 135 episodes · as Bandeira

  • The Conspirators (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Tiradentes

  • Bandeira 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 179 episodes · as Zelito

  • Caso Especial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as assassino · as Hanan

  • Estranho Triângulo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Eu Sou Vida, Eu Não Sou Morte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • On Borrowed Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Torturador

  • Massacre no Supermercado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • El Justicero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • The Deceased (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as (uncredited)

  • Paixão (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Timeless Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Old Franz

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 124 titles, 123 of them dated from 1965 to 2016; peak year 1980.

Biggest box office

Medicine Man (1992)

$46M worldwide

Highest rated

Bye Bye Brazil (1980)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

Medicine Man (1992)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19652016

Peak 1980 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting122 of 124: 116 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thDirecting6 of 124: 2 only directing, 4 with another roleProducing2 of 124: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

124 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1960s5 · acting1970s22 · acting1980s32 · 30 acting · 5 crew1990s21 · 21 acting · 2 crew2000s26 · acting2010s17 · 17 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 8% of 12 roles
6595

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.

How do José Wilker's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 9 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th1
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 9 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Maria, Mãe do Filho de Deus (2003)

86th percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Bye Bye Brazil (1980)

Midcredits 89th · 77% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 43. 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.

Who does José Wilker work with?

People who share at least 2 of José Wilker's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Leopoldo Serran shares the most, 2.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles