Nicolau Breyner

João Nicolau de Melo Breyner Moreira Lopes (30 July 1940 – 14 March 2016), known professionally as Nicolau Breyner, was a Portuguese actor, screenwriter, producer, director and television host. He was one of the most well-known figures in Portuguese television and cinema, having performed in more than 170 films and television series in his career.

Early life Nicolau Breyner was born in Serpa, Portugal, on 30 July 1940. His parents were Nicolau Moreira Lopes (1915–1965) and Augusta Pereira da Silva de Melo Breyner Pereira (1920–2003).

Breyner and his family moved to Lisbon when he was 9 years old. There he studied at the Camões Secondary School. He studied singing and was part of the Portuguese Musical Youth chorus.

Personal life Breyner's first marriage was to Mafalda Maria de Alpoim Vieira Barbosa. His second marriage was to the Portuguese actress Sofia Sá da Bandeira, between 1996 and 2001. He had two daughters, Mariana and Constança Fidalgo Ramos de Melo Breyner Lopes, from a previous relationship with Cláudia Fidalgo. His third wife was Mafalda Gomes de Amorim Bessa.

Breyner was a second cousin of Portuguese author Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen.

Selected filmography