Ruy Polanah
- Born
- 1922-02-03 (age 86)
- Died
- 2008-09-03 (aged 86) · 17 years ago
- Birthplace
- Mozambique
- Occupation
- Production Manager, Assistant Director
- Active
- 2008 - 2008
- AKA
- Rui Polanah, Rui Polionah
Biography
EARLY LIFE
Ruy Polanah was born in 1922 in Mozambique. He relocated to Brazil, where he spent his early years in Rio de Janeiro, establishing his presence in the country's cultural environment. He entered the acting profession after relocating from Mozambique to Brazil, where he initially worked as a figurante (extra) in numerous Brazilian films, establishing his presence in the national cinema industry. He was also involved in theatrical projects during his time in Rio de Janeiro. His screen acting career began in 1963 with his first credited film appearance.
CAREER
Ruy Polanah is a Brazilian actor and production manager known for his memorable portrayals of indigenous and Amazonian characters in international films shot in Brazil during the 1980s and 1990s. He began his career in the 1960s working behind the camera as an assistant director and production manager on key Brazilian films such as The Guns (1964) and São Bernardo (1972). He transitioned to acting in later years. His acting debut was in Ganga Zumba (1963). He also engaged with the Cinema Novo movement and appeared in Brazilian television productions, notably in the telenovela Bicho do Mato (2006–2007). His later career included roles in Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo (1982), John Boorman's The Emerald Forest (1985), and At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991). He remained active in film and theater until his death in 2008. Ruy Polanah was a cast member in the 1978 film Black Goddess (A Deusa Negra). Directed by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Ola Balogun, the movie is a notable historical drama and a rare Nigerian-Brazilian co-production. The plot follows a mystical journey and a love story that spans two centuries—connecting 18th-century Yorubaland to 1970s Brazil. Polanah acted alongside a prominent Afro-Brazilian cast that included Zózimo Bulbul, Léa Garcia, and Jorge Coutinho.
PERSONAL LIFE
Ruy Polanah maintained a close friendship with director Ruy Guerra and actress Leila Diniz, serving as godfather to their daughter Janaina. No reliable public sources document details of any marriages, spouses, or biological children.
Filmography
No filmography available for this person yet.
Box Office
Weekly Top Grossing3 Cold Dishes
₦5,331,351.00
Gingerrr
₦12,727,775.00
Gingerrr
₦21,139,500.00
The Herd
₦16,977,673.00
3 Cold Dishes
₦15,261,240.00
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Popularity Score
Top 100% of African actors
