Maria Luísa Mendonça

Acting

Maria Luísa Mendonça

Born

1970-01-30 (56)

Place of birth

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Known for

Acting

Credits

57 titles

Maria Luísa Mendonça (Rio de Janeiro, January 30, 1970) is a Brazilian actress, director and presenter. Known for her complex and dramatic characters, she became one of the most renowned actresses in the country.

Known for

A Grande Família poster
8.4

The daily lives of a typical Brazilian middle-class family, that are always very close and tries, in their way, to survive the financial and relationship difficulties.

A Grande Família

2001

Her Own Destiny poster
7.8

A story about people who succeed in life thanks to nothing but their own efforts. Maria do Carmo is the main character of the telenovela; a mother of five who struggle to be successful in life, but whose most important will be recovering the love of her daughter who was kidnapped when she was just months old.

Her Own Destiny

2004

Jequitibá poster
7.8

Jose Inocencio had innocence only as part of his name, but only those who new him well could notice this. But nobody knew him. He was a storyteller, and he was always the main character in the stories he told. He managed not only to create stories about himself, he managed to create a legend. The story of this powerful cacao farmer; Maria Santa, the beloved wife who died; and their four children is the main theme of 'Renascer'.

Jequitibá

1993

Seize the Day poster
5.9

Helena and Luciana are two supermodels with completely opposite personalities: the first is stormy and spoiled, while the second - being older - is patient and restrained. Their fate changes when Helena becomes involved with Marcos, Luciana's father, an older man recently divorced from a former model, Tereza, who does not accept the end of the marriage.

Seize the Day

2009

Gypsy Heart poster
6.6

Dara is a young Gypsy woman torn between her family’s traditions and her desire to choose her own path. Promised in marriage to Igor, her life changes when she meets Júlio Falcão online. Caught between love, the customs of her people and family conflicts, Dara must face choices that could transform her future.

Gypsy Heart

1995

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Film credits

2020s · 3 titles

2010s · 11 titles

The Man from the Future poster
7.2

Zero is a brilliant scientist. However, 20 years ago, he was publicly humiliated when he lost Helena, the love of his life. One day, an accidental experience with one of his inventions causes him to travel back in time to 1991. Having taken the opportunity to change history, Zero returns to own time to find totally changed.

The Man from the Future

2011

Dear Death: The Movie poster
6.5

This is an adaptation of the 2015 TV show, featuring two intertwining love triangles that drive the plot. The first triangle involves Aragão, his wife Arlinda, and her lover, Chico. The second triangle unites Malvina, Lena, and Gabriel, who is the son of Arlinda and Chico but raised by Aragão.

Dear Death: The Movie

2017

Habi, The Foreigner poster
4.8

Analía’s mother sends her to Buenos Aires to deliver some handicrafts. She is expected to return home quickly to the country town where she is to take on her family’s hairdressing salon. But by chance an address mix-up leads her to a Muslim community where she finds herself taking part in a ritual completely unknown to her. Enthralled by the new world she has entered, Analía decides on the spur of the moment to take on another identity.

Habi, The Foreigner

2013

Horácio poster
5.5

Horacio, an old smuggler hiding from the law, lives in a surreal, baroque apartment with Petulia, his daughter, and Milton, his favorite thug. While he keeps his daughter locked up in her bedroom, Horácio flirts with his goon, for whom he has had repressed feelings for years. However, Milton's love for a mysterious woman, and Petula's attempts to free herself with the help of a former lover, clash with Horacio's tyrannical whims.

Horácio

2019

An Eye and a Knife poster
4.0

A group of friends working on an offshore oil rig maintain close bounds and do their best to face the difficulties presented by living and working isolated out in the middle of the sea. A job promotion triggers events that disrupt, in an irreversible way, the group friendship and the protagonist’s own life on land. He is tested by the force of destiny and experiences the drama of an ordinary man facing a gradual process of isolation.

An Eye and a Knife

2018

Blue Desert poster
1.0

A man who is tormented by his intuitions and by dreams goes away to find answers to his discomfort. Revelations are made to him along his path, until he meets his soul mate and is prepared to the Blue Desert.

Blue Desert

2013

Amanhã Nunca Mais poster
6.4

Walter is an absent father and husband who works in a hospital without time for his family. His redemption happens when his wife sends him to the birthday cake for her daughter, but she does not know is that during the return trip home, the impossible will happen so that everything goes wrong.

Amanhã Nunca Mais

2011

Todo Clichê do Amor poster
5.8

A man who lost his taste and his blind wife; an almost deaf girl and her consumerist stepmother; an adult movie actor in love and his completely passionate woman; a sign language teacher and his dilemmas with dumb students. Characters full of love and full of inabilities to cope with their emotional side.

Todo Clichê do Amor

2018

Sunstroke poster
4.5

In an empty city, scorched by the sun, the young and old confuse the fever of sunstroke with the delicate birth of passion. Like ghosts, they hover around buildings and endless flatlands in search of the ever elusive love. Inspired by 19th century Russian short stories, the plots weave and unravel together in the improbable city of Brasilia – a distorted mirror-image of the Soviet utopia – located in the heart of the Brazilian desert.

Sunstroke

2010

Extreme Happiness poster
4.4

Shortly after World War II, the city of Rio de Janeiro experiments a period of great cultural, political and economic effervescence, when all the dreams – or nearly all – seem possible. In this exciting scenery of transformation, Paulo discovers love, friendship and sex through his childhood and adolescence in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Extreme Happiness

2010

Light in Darkness: The Return of Red Light Bandit poster
5.2

Jorge, bastard child of the infamous Red Light Bandit, decides himself to pursuit a life of crime after meeting with his father, who has been incarcerated for the last 30 years.

Light in Darkness: The Return of Red Light Bandit

2012

2000s · 9 titles

Carandiru poster
7.6

When a doctor decides to carry out an AIDS prevention program inside Latin America’s largest prison: the Casa de Detenção de São Paulo – Carandiru, he meets the future victims of one of the darkest days in Brazilian history.

Carandiru

2003

A Mulher do Meu Amigo poster
5.2

Thales, a successful businessman, is in crisis with his profession. He is married to the rich and spoiled Renata, and works with her father, the powerful businessman Augusto. One day, while on vacations at the home of his friends Rui and Pamela, Thales decides that will stop working. This unusual decision affects the lives of everyone around him.

A Mulher do Meu Amigo

2008

Nossa Vida Não Cabe Num Opala poster
5.0

The father of a family of lower middle class of São Paulo dies. But he did not realize this and starts to watch the reactions of his children and the collapse of the fragile family structure. Based on a novel of Mário Bortolotto.

Nossa Vida Não Cabe Num Opala

2008

Underground Game poster
6.3

To find the woman of his life, man makes a game up: he enters a subway train wagon, picks a woman he likes and waits to see whether she's going to take the same course and connections as he. If she is, he tries to make contact.

Underground Game

2005

The Three Marias poster
4.9

A mother, with her three daughters, exacts revenge on her former fiancé for killing her husband and sons.

The Three Marias

2002

The Invisible Woman poster
6.1

A man is abandoned by his wife and then falls in love with his neighbor, the perfect, ideal woman. The only problem: she doesn't exist!

The Invisible Woman

2009

If I Were You 2 poster
6.1

Claudio and Helena are on the verge of breaking up, until the couple experiences another strange phenomenon that looks to help them understand one another more.

If I Were You 2

2009

Querô poster
6.2

Querô is an orphan teenager, living alone near the docks in Santos, Brazil. His mother, a prostitute, died when he was a baby, and he was raised in the bordello where she worked. Believing he rules his own destiny, he refuses to compromise with anyone else, the corrupt policemen always chasing him, the oppressive discipline in the juvenile institution Febem, or the drug dealers who try to lure him. But this independence has a price.

Querô

2007

O Magnata poster
5.0

An upper-middle class punk singer Andre, Magnata spends his time with his low-class friends, singing in clubs and wasting money. When he accepts a challenge to steal a Ferrari, he gets involved in a thriller that can lead him to a tragic consequence.

O Magnata

2007

1990s · 3 titles

Series credits

A Grande Família poster
8.4

The daily lives of a typical Brazilian middle-class family, that are always very close and tries, in their way, to survive the financial and relationship difficulties.

A Grande Família

2001

Her Own Destiny poster
7.8

A story about people who succeed in life thanks to nothing but their own efforts. Maria do Carmo is the main character of the telenovela; a mother of five who struggle to be successful in life, but whose most important will be recovering the love of her daughter who was kidnapped when she was just months old.

Her Own Destiny

2004

Jequitibá poster
7.8

Jose Inocencio had innocence only as part of his name, but only those who new him well could notice this. But nobody knew him. He was a storyteller, and he was always the main character in the stories he told. He managed not only to create stories about himself, he managed to create a legend. The story of this powerful cacao farmer; Maria Santa, the beloved wife who died; and their four children is the main theme of 'Renascer'.

Jequitibá

1993

Seize the Day poster
5.9

Helena and Luciana are two supermodels with completely opposite personalities: the first is stormy and spoiled, while the second - being older - is patient and restrained. Their fate changes when Helena becomes involved with Marcos, Luciana's father, an older man recently divorced from a former model, Tereza, who does not accept the end of the marriage.

Seize the Day

2009

Gypsy Heart poster
6.6

Dara is a young Gypsy woman torn between her family’s traditions and her desire to choose her own path. Promised in marriage to Igor, her life changes when she meets Júlio Falcão online. Caught between love, the customs of her people and family conflicts, Dara must face choices that could transform her future.

Gypsy Heart

1995

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Brava Gente poster
8.3

Brava Gente was a television series aired by TV Globo in Brazil between 2000 and 2003, initially as a special year-end. The program was adapted from stories and national stories, and plays by famous playwrights, screenwriters and signed by a number represented by several actors and actresses. The genres of the stories varied each week with the style of each director or author. Brava Gente in the stories ranged from comedies and dramas. In all 53 episodes were shown, broadcast on Tuesday nights.

Brava Gente

2000

Summer Affair poster
7.0

Farmer Selena is a strong-willed young woman who won't rest until she uncovers a secret kept by her mother Camila: the identity of her father.

Summer Affair

1998

Sessão de Terapia poster
8.3

Set in an office of a psychoanalyst, the series follows the professional and personal day-to-day work of therapist Theo. Displayed daily, each episode of the plot is marked by the story of one of his patients, and the last episode of the week will always bring an assessment of Theo's by his supervisor Dora.

Sessão de Terapia

2012

Beyond the Horizon poster
6.5

Three young people decide to search for missing friends and relatives. When they find a community in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, they face great adventures.

Beyond the Horizon

2013

Hidden Truths 2 poster
6.2

With no money and a sick young son, Angel returns to the underworld of fashion and luxury. Giovanna believes that Angel killed her father and will do anything to put her in jail. As a result, they start a personal war, which involves Cristiano, a private investigator.

Hidden Truths 2

2021

Os Maias poster
7.3

Pedro da Maia, meets a beautiful woman called Maria Monforte with whom he gets married despite his father's objection. The marriage produces a son, Carlos Eduardo, and a daughter. Some time later, Maria Monforte falls in love with Tancredo and runs away to Italy with him, taking her daughter along. When Pedro finds out, he goes with his son to his father's house where he commits suicide. Carlos stays at his grandfather's house and is educated by him. Carlos, becomes a doctor and opens his own office. Later he meets a gorgeous woman, Maria Eduarda. The two fall in love and have dozens of nights together. Eventually Carlos finds out later that Maria lied to him about her past and he starts fearing the worst. In the end, Carlos finds out that Maria is his sister. He informs her that they are siblings and that they cannot live like this anymore. Carlos, to forget his tragedies, goes for a trip around the world.

Os Maias

2001

Magnifica 70 poster
7.5

A man bored with his reality, works in the São Paulo government censorship department, is married to Isabel, but falls in love with Dora Dumar, an actress of the films he has the obligation to censor.

Magnifica 70

2015

A Muralha poster
8.1

A hundred years after Europeans set foot in the New World, Brazil still remains largely unexplored. The Conquest recounts the saga of the earliest adventurers who wandered through these unknown lands. Jesuit priests, adventurers seeking gold, slaves and indigenous tribes were entangled in unceasing battles, at a time when laws were made by the sharp edge of a sword.

A Muralha

2000

Mandrake poster
6.6

Meet Paulo Mandrake, a charismatic defense attorney who finds himself sidetracked by his vices--especially beautiful Brazilian women--while serving as a liaison between his high-end clients and the Rio de Janeiro subculture. Marcos Palmeira stars in this HBO Latino drama series.

Mandrake

2005

Cutie Pie... Her Loves and Sins poster
5.9

Raised in a conservative home, Engraçadinha challenges taboos and forbidden passions over two decades. Between desires, guilt and secrets, she lives intensely her loves and her sins.

Cutie Pie... Her Loves and Sins

1995

Queridos Amigos poster
8.0

Reserved, intelligent and generous, Leo has achieved professional success and now lives secluded in Serra da Cantareira, alongside young Karina. He discovers that he is ill, and decides to reunite the old friends of the 1970s, with whom he fought the military regime.

Queridos Amigos

2008

Minha Nada Mole Vida poster
7.0

The turmoils of a messy entertainment television host, his production team, and his dysfunctional family.

Minha Nada Mole Vida

2006

Vade Retro poster
6.0

Wrapped in an ironic horror aesthetic, the series tells the story of Abel Zebu, a businessman with scruples as low as the volume of business at the office of the sweet lawyer Celeste.

Vade Retro

2017

Amorteamo poster
7.1

Recife, 1900. Malvina, daughter of a wealthy merchant, falls in love with Gabriel; however, on her wedding day he abandons her at the altar. Disconcerted, she commits suicide and then returns as a dark spirit. However she brings with her all the dead in the city. At first, the residents are happy, but then they discover that the natural course of life should continue to be followed.

Amorteamo

2015

Os Normais poster
7.8

A "normal" couple are living a "normal" life together, but they have many complaints about themselves and each other.

Os Normais

2001

Os Normais poster
7.8

A "normal" couple are living a "normal" life together, but they have many complaints about themselves and each other.

Os Normais

2001

Os Normais poster
7.8

A "normal" couple are living a "normal" life together, but they have many complaints about themselves and each other.

Os Normais

2001

Naked poster
4.0

Naked sets out to explore and deconstruct female sexuality. In it, women assume their protagonism and dictate the rules when it comes to sex.

Naked

2018

Carandiru: The Series poster
9.5

No synopsis available yet.

Carandiru: The Series

2005

Second Chance poster
5.0

Luzia is a hard working mother whose life is turned upside down when she falls in love with Beto Falcão, a declining singer who regains his fame after taken for dead. But this romance jeopardizes the ambitious plans of Beto's ex-girlfriend and a devious bawd who will do anything to put an end to the musician's infatuation. In order to save her life, Luiza leaves her little children behind, flees the country and becomes DJ Ariella. Years later she comes back to fight fiercely for a second chance at reuniting her family, unaware she will soon meet again the love of her past and her tormentors.

Second Chance

2018

Behind the camera