Brazilian actor Roney Facchini has died at the age of 73 on Monday, one day after attending the theatre with close friends.
His death was confirmed by the organisers of the Bibi Ferreira Awards, one of the most prominent honours in Brazilian musical theatre. Friends and fellow performers said Facchini had enjoyed a fond farewell on Sunday, when he went to see a play and reunited with longtime companions.
Playwright and screenwriter Marilia Toledo shared a photograph taken on Sunday alongside Facchini and her husband, Emilio Boechat. Toledo wrote that it was the last photograph taken with their beloved friend.
A final evening at the theatre
Toledo explained that Facchini held a special place in their household because he was responsible for introducing the couple. Facchini had brought Boechat along to a party hosted by Martha Nowill, where Toledo and Boechat first grew close and began dating. When the friends met on Sunday, Facchini spoke with pride about his role as their godfather.
Toledo said she felt fortunate to have been Facchini's friend and to have worked alongside him in a stage musical celebrating the life of Brazilian television host Silvio Santos. She expressed gratitude for having seen him on Sunday without realising it was a goodbye. She noted that, as Facchini's husband Joao remarked, the actor spent his final evening at the theatre, an art form he loved deeply.
Tributes from fellow performers
The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Brazilian entertainment community. Actor Wagner Santisteban described the loss as deeply sad, while actress Patricia Gaspar remembered him as their dear Roney. Actor Theodoro Cochrane shared his grief on social media, writing that he was in absolute mourning.
Actress Marisa Orth paid tribute to Facchini in a message on Instagram, writing that she had lost a close friend while Brazil had lost an immense actor and wonderful comedian. Orth remembered Facchini as the funniest person among their circle of colleagues.
Facchini built a long career across Brazilian television, comedy and the stage. He achieved widespread recognition for his role in the children's programme Ra-Tim-Bum, an educational series produced by public broadcaster TV Cultura that became a cultural landmark in Brazil. He later reached national television audiences in the popular TV Globo telenovela Cheias de Charme.
The Bibi Ferreira Awards, which confirmed his passing, celebrates achievements in musical theatre in Brazil, named in honour of the late Brazilian stage icon Bibi Ferreira. Friends and colleagues across the country remembered Facchini for his warmth, his comedic talent and his enduring devotion to the stage.
