Wagner Moura — Director | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

Wagner Maniçoba de Moura (/ˈvɑːɡnər ˈmɔːrə,ˈmoʊrə/ VAHG-nər MOR-ə, MOHR-ə; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈvaɡneʁ mɐ̃niˈsɔbɐ dʒi ˈmowɾɐ]; born 27 June 1976) is a Brazilian actor and filmmaker. His accolades include a Golden Globe, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and five Brazilian Academy Film Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, an Annie Award, and a Critics' Choice Award. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2026.

After establishing himself in Brazil with a leading role as Captain Nascimento in the crime film Elite Squad (2007) and its 2010 sequel, Moura expanded into American cinema with a supporting role in the science fiction film Elysium (2013), finding himself part of the movement that seeks positive representation for South Americans in Hollywood. In 2015, he received international attention and critical acclaim for his portrayal of drug trafficker Pablo Escobar in the Netflix crime series Narcos, resulting in his first Golden Globe Award nomination.

Moura gained further recognition for his performances in the drama Sergio (2020), the animated film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), the action thriller Civil War (2024), and the miniseries Dope Thief (2025). For his performance as a former professor in the political thriller film The Secret Agent (2025), Moura became the first South American actor to win the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, the first Brazilian actor to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, and the first Brazilian to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Moura has also expanded into directing, making his feature directorial debut with the political thriller Marighella (2019).

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