Costinha

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Lírio Mário da Costa

Years active

1942–1995

Genres

humor, comedy

Biography

Lírio Mário da Costa, better known as Costinha, was a renowned Brazilian comedian and actor, born on March 25, 1923, in the neighborhood of Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro. His artistic journey was marked by a circus childhood, influenced by his father, the clown "Bocó". After his father abandoned the family when Costinha was thirteen, he had to interrupt his studies and work in various jobs, such as waiter, shoeshine boy, and illegal lottery (jogo do bicho) spotter, experiences that would shape his future characters.

Costinha began his professional career in 1942 as a cleaner at Rádio Tamoio, where he soon stood out as a radio actor in successful programs. His career flourished on the radio, in revue theater, and especially in film and television, where he became a national star. He became known for his impersonations and double entendres, often with a sexual connotation, releasing comedy albums like "O Peru da Festa" and "As Proibidas do Costinha". His involvement in cinema was intense from the 1950s onward, acting in chanchadas and various films alongside major names of the era.

Throughout his career, Costinha participated in numerous television programs, such as "Escolinha do Professor Raimundo", where he played the character Seu Mazarito. His contribution to Brazilian humor is remembered for its originality and talent in drawing hearty laughs from the audience. Costinha passed away on September 15, 1995, in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 72, a victim of pulmonary emphysema, leaving an invaluable legacy to comedy and entertainment in Brazil.