Fernando Sampaio , multifaceted actor and producer, began his career at a young age in Salvador and built a solid career in theater, television and cinema. With recent participation in the reality show “A Grande Conquista” and in the film “Vendaval”, Sampaio stands out for his versatility and striking presence in super productions such as “José do Egypt” and “Vai Na Fé”. In 2024, he promises to surprise again with the release of “A Entrega” and “Lucas e os Dinos”, reinforcing his role as one of the big names in the Brazilian artistic scene.
How do you reflect on your long journey from the stages of the Capital of Bahia to major successes on television and cinema? What moments have most marked your career so far?
Ah, my Bahia, who gave me a ruler and compass, who filled me with energy and joy, preparing me to always be vibrant in life and art. It was there that I began my journey, where the watchful eye of so many directors shaped my trajectory and paved the way for this long road that I have been traveling. From the beginning, the theater was a big milestone, especially with the play O Grande Barato é Viver, which taught me the importance of going where the audience is, of connecting with people in any space. Under the direction of Fernando Guerreiro, I gained clarity and firmness to step on the sacred ground of the stage, something that I carry with me to this day. The play “Rubem” was where our connection was established.
My first soap opera, Cidadão Brasileiro, was a turning point in my career. She brought me a keen eye for the art of making television, and it was at Record that I received this gift and the privilege of working alongside sacred names in TV, such as Cleide Yáconis, Celso Thiré and Benvindo Siqueira, among many others. This profoundly marked my journey and consolidated my passion for dramaturgy.
And, of course, embarking on so many stories under the direction of Alexandre Avancini was also a milestone, each project challenging me and making me grow as an actor. In cinema, the experience is always an ebullition of feelings, a calm that, at the same time, tears at the soul. Each film is a deep dive that transforms and renews me, reminding me why I chose this intense and rewarding profession. These moments are the cornerstones of my career, and each of them contributed to the artist I am today.
You have a solid career in theater, with emphasis on the play “O Grande Barato é Viver”. How has this experience on stage influenced your work in television and film?
I matured both as a person and as an artist doing O Grande Barato é Viver. When I started, I was only 18 years old, and the play ran for five years, with daily performances in public schools in Salvador and Bahia. The experience of stepping onto different stages and spaces every day was a constant gift, a new contact with different people every day. When the project came to an end, I was 23 years old, but I was already carrying a baggage that felt like a 50-year career. I made the most of everything that project could offer me and I looked for other paths of art, both within myself and in my city, and I found nothing but comfort.
This entire experience in theater shaped the actor I am today and shaped my outlook on art. This experience taught me the value of respect and trust, something I take with me when walking onto any film set. The stage, no matter how intimate it becomes over time, always signals the responsibility to tread that floor with care and reverence. Likewise, when I’m in a TV studio or on a film set, I bring with me that same respect and total commitment. Theater prepared me to face any challenge on television and in cinema, always reminding me of the importance of each step and each moment experienced on stage.
In the reality show “A Grande Conquista”, you had the opportunity to show a different side to the public. How did this experience differ from your traditional performances and what did you learn from it?
« A Grande Conquista » was another gift that Record gave me, a unique opportunity to show myself with a clean face, without the layers of a character. This was a huge challenge, because in my work as an actor, I win people over through characters that are often very different from me, with reactions and behaviors that I would never have in real life. In reality, however, I was exposed as Fernando, with all my marks, fears, anxieties and frustrations.
I have a completely terrified relationship with lying, something that comes from childhood, due to the consequences that my father’s lies brought to our family. In the program, all these scars were reopened, and my wounds were exposed. Even if it wasn’t intentional, many participants ended up touching these wounds, and when they realized this, some still insisted on opening more. Breaking the fourth wall is always challenging for an artist, even in theater, where there is a certain protection that the magic of the stage provides us. Now, imagine walking naked, every day, into the house of someone who admires you through the filter of soap operas?
This experience taught me a lot and brought an even greater strength in my authenticity to my life. I learned to be more generous with myself, to value my truth and the importance of being who I really am, without the masks that acting often requires. This experience was transformative and allowed me to grow not only as an artist, but as a human being.
Throughout your career, you participated in several biblical superproductions on Record. What attracts you most to these projects and what was it like acting in such iconic stories?
Participating in these super biblical productions at Record has always been a great gift. What attracts me most about these projects is the opportunity to talk about faith, to show that, through faith, we can achieve much more than we ask or think. I have always been passionate about Jesus Christ, and I already knew many biblical stories before acting in them. But being able to live these characters in settings like Jerusalem, Babylon, Egypt and even the Promised Land strengthened my faith even more.
These projects allowed me to deepen the principles I learned throughout my life and made me even more passionate about God and everything He represents. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to discover countries and cultures that, perhaps, I had never had the curiosity to explore. Each production was a rich experience, not only in professional terms, but also spiritual and cultural. These iconic stories have not only shaped my career, but also strengthened my connection to spirituality and the art of telling stories that touch people deeply.
In 2024, you will play an emblematic character representing depression in the film “Sale”. What was the preparation process like for this role and what challenges did you face when portraying such a delicate topic?
This film has everything it needs to impact many people, and I was deeply impacted when preparing for this role. Portraying something as abstract as depression, which presents itself and indirectly affects those affected by it, was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. Building characters like Gahiji, Paulo or Matias was a different process, because they are people like me, with emotions and reactions that we can understand. But personifying a feeling, a sensation, transforming an illness into something tangible, was very challenging.
Digging into certain emotional drawers can be risky, and I had to distance myself from this character constantly. Depression has a dangerous seduction, flirting with something so abstract can take you to that state. Normally, I like to throw myself into my characters without a parachute, but in this case, I stepped with great respect and fear on this marshy ground. It was an intense construction process, which required me to be careful not to be swallowed by this darkness, but also an experience of learning and growth as an artist.
What was it like to participate in Lucas Neto’s film, “Lucas and the Dinos”? How do you balance these lighter roles with the more intense ones, like “Gale”?
Participating in the film Lucas and the Dinos was a wonderful experience, especially because I have a very strong connection with the children. Communicating with them through a film starring an icon like Lucas Neto was really special. The process of playing a park instructor, doing voices and being close to the audience was enriching and light.
Balancing lighter roles with more intense ones, like Vendaval, involves getting into the flow of what is presented. I accept what comes, let go when necessary and let the process happen. Each character, whether light or intense, has its own space and importance. I maintain a fluid approach, allowing each role to teach me something new and enrich my experience as an actor.
With such a diverse career, which includes theater, film and television, how do you stay motivated and constantly evolving as an actor?
It’s not easy to be an actor in a country where art is often not valued as it should be and where those who promote it do not receive the recognition they deserve. However, diversification is what keeps the enthusiasm burning. The possibility of exploring different languages and forms of expression, and navigating the labyrinths of these varied worlds, is what enchants me.
I evolve as an individual, and my characters follow this personal evolution. As we face our fears and challenge ourselves, the characters we play, often with similar fears, give us a deeper understanding of those feelings. Every role is a new opportunity for growth and discovery, and this constant journey is what makes everything magical and wonderful.
With so many achievements in your career, what is still left for you to achieve? What are your next dreams and goals in acting or other areas of your artistic life?
What keeps me alive and powerful are my dreams and desires, which are many. I still have big aspirations, such as being a protagonist and exploring the role of a villain, in addition to seeking an opportunity as a presenter, something I have been cultivating since I was a teenager.
I dream of working with big names like Glória Pires, who I deeply admire, and Fernanda Montenegro, a true acting monster. I want to explore all possible forms of art, sweat the delicious sweat of intense and vibrant characters. My goal is to be a complete artist, capable of immersing myself in all the opportunities that art offers me, always remaining powerful and passionate about what I do.
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