With 23 years of career, Rodrigo Fagundes is on air in Volta por Cima, in the role of the hilarious Gigi
Rodrigo Fagundes is, without a doubt, one of the most important names in Brazilian comedy. The actor became known to the public in 2005, when he made his debut in Total Zorra and has never failed to make audiences laugh ever since.
Currently we can fleece on air giving life to Gigi, such a unique and comical character, in the seven o’clock soap opera, Back to the top. To compose it, Rodrigo says his construction came through his observations from the text, where there was such a level of wealth and high standard of living that he ended up taking inspiration from movie stars and some TV icons. “To give the posture, the fierce tongue and the upturned nose, I was inspired, for example, by Scarlett O’Hara, from Gone with the wind; Clodovil, Bette Davis and Lady Violet, from Downton Abbey, and so on. I put everything in the blender and look for that humanity as I prepare it. Gigi experiences the contrast between financial failure and ostentatious appearance,” she explains.
Rodrigo on television
Rodrigo understands that the character is very relevant to today’s audience. “I think this type of character still is and always will be the dream of soap opera writers. In this conflicted situation of having to adapt to the new rules of life, learning to have limits, suffering and maybe having redemption in the end. It’s a classic and a complete dish that an actor can make and that the audience can watch.”
What about scene partners? A blunder! The actor shares the screen with big names like Betty Faria and Drica Moraes, which, for him, is a surreal experience. “This exchange has been a joy and a privilege. They are colleagues willing to play and build a beautiful experience on stage,” he says.
Between genres
The actor’s career is marked by comedic characters, but he also explores other genres. Rodrigo explains how humor helps him play more complex roles, like Gigi. “Because I always see tragedy in comedy. Even when I did Total Zorra. My character there was dramatic, maybe that’s why I made those who saw it laugh. And much of the humor in Gigi comes from the problems she goes through after this financial failure. I try to keep the drama when I do it so it’s entertaining for the viewer.”
Anything but a small screen
In addition to the soap opera, the actor will be present in an episode of the comedy Pablo and Luizão. But what was the challenge of working on a project with a language more focused on contemporary streaming humor? “It was great to try this language required by the series. Paulo Vieira portrays many situations that really happened in his life. And together with the direction, we were able to arrive at the tone that they thought was best to tell the stories. I enjoyed participating.”
Passion for theatre
In a career spanning 23 years and with such a diverse history, the question remains: What was the biggest learning Rodrigo brought from theater to television and streaming? “I always love what I do. And I try to maintain affection and lightness in working relationships. There are hours, days, months that we spend there and when the environment is beautiful everything flows better. This is what I believe in. The theater brings a sense of companionship, discipline, willingness to work together and if you can turn a cast into a crew, the result and the process will definitely be unforgettable,” he concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
