Who is Wagner Moura? Brazilian star famed for playing Pablo Escobar in Narcos makes history with shock triumph over the likes of Dwayne Johnson and Michael B. Jordan at the Golden Globes

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In 2014, Wagner Moura landed the part of a lifetime, playing the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in the popular series Narcos.

The 49-year-old Brazilian actor, famous for his role as the leader of the Medellín Cartel in a popular TV show, has also appeared in films like Puss in Boots and the crime series Dope Thief.

Honestly, I was thrilled to see him win at the Golden Globes! It was a bit of an upset, and he beat out some major stars to take home the award for Best Actor in a Drama for his work in ‘The Secret Agent.’ He’s built a really solid career, but this win felt special – a real moment for him, and a delightful surprise for everyone.

He won a highly competitive award, beating out strong contenders like Joel Edgerton, Oscar Isaac, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, and Jeremy Allen White.

Lucas Moura’s win was historic – he’s the first Brazilian to ever win this award at the Golden Globes.

Before the awards show, he happily posed for photos with his wife, Sandra Delgado, whom he married in 2001.

In the movie, Moura portrays a tech specialist living in Brazil in 1977. Haunted by a hidden past, he goes back to his hometown of Recife hoping to find tranquility. However, he quickly discovers that the city isn’t the peaceful haven he imagined, as political unrest from the country’s dictatorship continues to build.

As a lifestyle expert, I find it so inspiring to see groundbreaking achievements! This actor wasn’t just the first Brazilian to win an award, he was also the very first from Brazil to even be nominated for Best Actor in a Drama – a truly historic moment!

As a huge fan, I was really struck by what the director, Moura, said when accepting an award. He explained that ‘The Secret Agent’ isn’t just a thriller, but a deep dive into how memories – or the loss of them – can haunt families for generations. It really got me thinking; if painful experiences can be passed down through families, then surely the good things – values and beliefs – can be too. It’s a beautiful thought, and it perfectly captures what I loved about the film.

‘So this is to the ones that are sticking with their values in difficult moments.’

Backstage Moura spoke about Brazil’s military dictatorship, which lasted from 1964 to 1985.

He believes it’s crucial to continue making films about the dictatorship, as its impact on Brazilian society is still deeply felt. Considering it only happened 50 years ago, and with Brazil recently experiencing a far-right president from 2018 to 2022, the topic remains particularly relevant.

That film was a clear reminder of Brazil’s past dictatorship. Because the effects of that era are still felt today, it’s important that we continue to tell stories about it through cinema.

Prior to winning a Golden Globe, he’d already received recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was named Best Actor for his role in The Secret Agent.

He’s a five-time winner at the Brazilian Academy Film Awards. Before winning on Sunday, he was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance as Escobar in the series Narcos.

In 2022, he was nominated for an Annie Award for his voice work as Death in the movie Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Wagner was born in Salvador in Brazil and raised in Rodelas where he took acting classes as a teen.

In his twenties, he worked as a journalist while also pursuing acting, eventually finding opportunities in Brazilian films.

Wagner Moura first gained widespread recognition in 2007 for his role as Captain Nascimento in the Brazilian film Elite Squad. He later made his entrance into Hollywood with the 2013 film Elysium.

He gained wider recognition in 2015 when he landed the role of Escobar in the popular series Narcos, starring with actors like Pedro Pascal and Boyd Holbrook.

To prepare for the role, Moura learned to speak Spanish and gained 40 pounds, which he then lost by following a vegan diet.

She’s also appeared in several other projects, including the Apple TV+ series Shining Girls, the animated film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Netflix’s The Gray Man, and the Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith and The Secret Agent.

While details about his private life are limited, he has been happily married to photographer Sandra since 2001, and they are parents to three sons.

The family are thought to have homes in Salvador, Los Angeles, and Rio de Janeiro.

He’s shared before that while his family – his wife and sons – are his top priority, being an artist is also a significant part of who he is.

‘I am a political person, so it’s just natural that’s what I gravitate toward.’ 

Wagner Moura talked about gaining weight for his role in Narcos during a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

He joked: ‘I like to think that I’m looking better now! I was 40 pounds heavier back then.

‘It was for the role and I was eating delicious things, you know. I was eating whatever I wanted.’

Moura consistently prioritizes meaningful projects aligned with his values, often choosing them over large, commercially-driven Hollywood films even if it means earning less money.

He once explained to The Los Angeles Times that a former agent tried to convince him to take roles for the wrong reasons, suggesting he pursue projects to achieve other goals. He didn’t agree with that approach.

From the beginning of my acting career, even when money was tight, I’ve always avoided taking roles I felt ashamed of, just to make ends meet. I’ve never had to compromise my principles for a paycheck.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done some things but the intention was right.

It’s impossible to predict the future, but I’ve always approached life with the belief that everything I do will lead to something wonderful.

I’ve always worked on projects purely for the love of them, not for financial gain, career advancement, or potential exposure. I’ve never been motivated by things like audience size or recognition.

Timothée Chalamet is now the frontrunner to win the Best Actor Oscar after winning the Golden Globe Award for his performance in Marty Supreme. He surpassed Leonardo DiCaprio, who is currently starring in One Battle After Another, in the predictions.

Leading up to awards season, 51-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio was expected to win, but now Timothée Chalamet is the clear frontrunner for Best Actor at the upcoming Academy Awards, according to predictions from Kalshi, a regulated forecasting market.

Despite stiff competition, Leonardo DiCaprio’s film, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, won Best Picture – Comedy or Musical at an awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday night. It beat out films starring Timothée Chalamet, as well as Blue Moon, Bugonia, No Other Choice, and Nouvelle Vague to claim the prize.

The film One Battle After Another received the most awards at the event, taking home four prizes. However, it’s expected to face strong competition at the Oscars, particularly from Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, which won the final award of the night – Best Picture in the Drama category – beating out films like Frankenstein, It Was Just An Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Sinners.

Three television shows took home awards: The Pitt won in the drama category, The Studio in comedy or musical, and Adolescence as a limited series.

Thirty-year-old Timothée Chalamet sparked conversation when he seemingly ignored his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, while accepting the award for Marty Supreme.

The French actor had a standout moment at the awards show, winning Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy film. He finished his acceptance speech quickly, simply saying, ‘To my parents and my partner, I love you. Thank you.’

Jenner, 28, received a surprisingly understated expression of affection from her partner when she publicly shared her love at last week’s Critics Choice Awards in 2026.

Timothée Chalamet won the role over strong competition, including Leonardo DiCaprio. Other actors considered for the part were George Clooney, Ethan Hawke, Lee Byung-Hun, and Jesse Plemons.

One Battle After Another was the big winner of the night, taking home four awards, including Best Picture in the Comedy or Musical category. Paul Thomas Anderson won both Best Director and Best Screenplay, and Teyana Taylor unexpectedly won Best Supporting Actress.

One Battle After Another has enjoyed a successful awards season so far, but it will face strong competition from the film Hamnet, featuring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, which recently won the Best Picture award in the Drama category.

Buckley won a major acting award, receiving the prize for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.

Thirty-six-year-old Irish actress, whose name is not mentioned, won an acting award, beating out well-known performers like Jennifer Lawrence, Renate Reinsve, Julia Roberts, Tessa Thompson, and Eva Victor.

The TV series Adolescence on Netflix was the big winner of the night, taking home all the awards in its categories. Sixteen-year-old Owen Cooper, the show’s star, made history as one of the youngest people ever to win a Golden Globe Award.

The young actor won an award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV series, limited series, or movie.

Stephen Graham, who acted alongside him in His Adolescence, later won an award for Best Actor in a limited series, anthology series, or TV movie.

The Netflix series had a big night, with Erin Doherty winning Best Supporting Actress in a TV series, limited series, or TV movie.

The show took home the award for Best Limited TV Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie, beating out competitors like ‘All Her Fault,’ ‘The Beast in Me,’ ‘Black Mirror,’ ‘Dying for Sex,’ and ‘The Girlfriend’.

Noah Wyle continued his award streak, following his win at last week’s Critics Choice Awards 2026. He received the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Pitt, a show created by R. Scott Gemmill.

Wyle also guided the popular HBO show to win television’s highest award, as The Pitt received the honor of Best Drama Series.

The Studio had a great night, winning Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy, and Seth Rogen took home the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series.

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2026-01-12 15:05