Actor and comedian Ton Prado , known for his performance in Mamonas Assassinas – O Impossível Não Existe, returns to his comedic roots with two premieres scheduled for March. On the 6th, he will be in theaters alongside Leandro Hassum and Paulinho Serra in Uma Advogada Brilhante, which will also be shown on Netflix. On the 7th, Ton stars in the romantic comedy O Marido da Minha Mulher with Daniel Rocha and Fefe at Teatro UOL, in São Paulo. In addition to the stage and the big screen, the actor also focuses on content for social media, where he has accumulated millions of views. For Ton, Paulo Gustavo’s quick and intelligent humor is his greatest inspiration, and new projects, including a series and an international film, are already on the way for 2025.
You played Guido’s lawyer in A Brilliant Lawyer, and director Ale MacHaddo asked you to adopt a more serious humor. What was the process of finding the right tone for the character without losing the comedic essence that comes so naturally to you?
Ale Machaddo was very kind to our performances, she pointed out how we should be during the scenes, but she accepted all the interactions we had on set. The scenes with my character were fun, a serious way of playing with humor, but without ceasing to be fun, since everything took place in a Court. Being with Paulinho Serra was already a preparation for having this comedic essence, since it is natural for him, so everything flowed incredibly.
Working alongside names like Leandro Hassum and Paulinho Serra certainly brought learning. Was there any behind-the-scenes exchange or memorable moment that made you see humor or acting in a different way?
First of all, the entire cast has incredible energy, and the comedy stars were no different. Hassum and Paulinho Serra are generous actors. We didn’t have to rehearse beforehand or read the script. Everything was recorded on the spot. The chemistry was so great that everything happened in a fun way, with quick and humorous changes of scenery. Leandro Hassum is an incredible guy. He always came up with ideas to spice up the scene and surprise people, bringing spontaneity to the scene. He did the same with me during the recordings, giving me ideas before the ‘action’ even started. Watching these guys work is a delight. Everything is free, light, pressure-free and, most importantly, fun.
In the theater, in My Wife’s Husband, you play Paulo, who is forced to help his deceased friend and ends up falling in love. How do you balance humor and romance so that this story works both as a comedy and as an emotional one?
The text already proposes this change in energy, since there is this change from mocking to passionate. And the mix happens naturally, I don’t let the humor go away even in the love scenes, the play is funny at all times. The ball never drops! It’s laughter from beginning to end.
You mentioned that producers used to discourage working on social media, but today you see it as an opportunity to build your artistic identity. What kind of content do you want to explore in this new space on the internet?
At first, there was this concern about not going online and being labeled as an influencer. However, the Internet is a wonderful showcase, also for you to show your work and play with acting. Right now, I create humorous content that brings up our daily lives, in addition to current issues. I mix contradictions in all the videos, showing the good and the bad sides in the same scene. After all, that’s what we are made of, right? Of uncertainties and desires that we have and don’t have. My content on the Internet is for all types of people. If you want to have fun, go to my social networks, @tonprado, to laugh and have a little fun. That’s my new focus.
Paulo Gustavo is a great inspiration to you. What elements of his style do you try to incorporate into your work, whether in film, theater or on social media?
Paulo Gustavo is a treasure to me, a genius in everything he did. What I take from him for everything is his ‘spontaneity and charisma’, things that I know I take into my work and I seek to rely on even more when I see anything of his to this day, I notice these saga moments and I immediately remember that I also cannot help but lose this in my day to day life, be it in any area of activity, including in my life. Being spontaneous is the best element for all of this.
You are currently in a phase of many projects, with film and theater debuts and also participating in the series Mamonas Assassinas on Record. How do you manage this intense routine and keep your creative energy high?
I don’t know either, I was thinking about it today, I have a lot of energy and God in my heart, this makes me able to be open to everything that is happening to me, movies, theater, series, internet content, anyway… I want to enjoy everything, and not fall asleep on the job, even if that is a bit tiring, and for all this I make my body respond along with me, food, exercise, therapy and an organized schedule. Everything is possible when you don’t want to miss opportunities and embrace them at the same time.
In A Brilliant Lawyer, the film also addresses gender equality in the workplace. How do you think humor can be a tool to raise important discussions like this without losing its lightness?
Humor is the smartest way to raise important discussions for people. We have already seen that we can have an intelligent repertoire to reach everyone and question certain subjects without being aggressive or disrespectful. Knowing how to use this tool wisely, we can address different subjects to different people in the same place.
You’ve revealed your desire to star in a series with a youth theme. What kind of character or story would you like to explore in a project like this?
I don’t have an idea of what theme should be in this context. But I want something that would reach the young people in a strong and impactful way, whether through the topic addressed or through innovation. The young audience is very participative, engaging and passionate. This is the second time I was at CCXP at the invitation of a work and that audience is passionate, I’m already putting my energy into this content and these people. And regarding the character, once again I want to do something that people don’t normally see in me, I like challenges.
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