Departures of note

Gracindo Jr., born Epaminondas Xavier Gracindo, was a Brazilian actor, director, writer and producer who devoted more than five decades to the arts across theatre, television, radio and cinema. He was the son of the celebrated actor Paulo Gracindo and the father of actors Gabriel Gracindo, Pedro Gracindo and Daniela Duarte, continuing a prominent theatrical dynasty in Brazil.

His career began in 1959 when, at age fifteen, he passed a test to work at Rádio Nacional as an actor and writer. He made his professional theatre debut in 1962 in the original staging of A Escada, by Jorge Andrade, and went on to appear in notable productions including A Megera Domada and O Burguês Fidalgo. Although he studied psychology, he never practiced it, choosing instead to dedicate himself fully to the arts.

Gracindo Jr. was part of the inauguration of TV Globo in 1965 and acted in historic telenovelas and programs such as Rosinha do Sobrado, Padre Tião, A Rainha Louca, A Próxima Atração, Os Ossos do Barão and Supermanoela. He also directed the humor show Os Trapalhões in the early 1980s and later appeared in the minissérie Rei Davi and the film Irmã Dulce. He died at his home in Rio de Janeiro on 1 September 2026 at the age of 83.