Biography

Ada Chaseliov (born March 30, 1952, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – died October 27, 2015) was a Brazilian actress known for her work in theater, film, and television. She trained at the renowned theater school O Tablado and made her film debut in Um Virgem na Praça (1973). The following year, she landed a small role in the telenovela Supermanoela, written by Walther Negrão for TV Globo. Over the decades, Ada became a familiar presence on Brazilian television, especially through her long-standing collaborations with writer Sílvio de Abreu. She stood out in roles such as the jealous and tormented Manuela in Guerra dos Sexos (1983), and in Belíssima (2005). One of her most acclaimed performances came as the villain Leonor in the historical miniseries A Muralha (2000). Ada also had a celebrated career on stage, particularly in musical theater. Her most notable stage credits include As Malvadas, O Abre Alas, Cole Porter – Ele Nunca Disse que me Amava, Ópera do Malandro, The Sound of Music (A Noviça Rebelde), Cristal Bacharach, Gypsy – The Musical, and her final musical, Os Saltimbancos Trapalhões. She frequently worked with director Denise Saraceni on productions such as Felicidade (1991), Anjo Mau (1997), Torre de Babel (1998), A Muralha (2000), Sabor da Paixão (2002), Da Cor do Pecado (2004), Belíssima (2005), Tudo Novo de Novo (2009), Passione (2010), and Cheias de Charme (2012). Her work with Sílvio de Abreu also includes Anjo Mau (1997), Torre de Babel (1998), Da Cor do Pecado (2004), Belíssima (2005), and Passione (2010). Her final television appearance was in Amor à Vida (2013), where she played the judge in the custody trial of the character Paulinha. Ada passed away from cancer at the age of 63. She was previously married to filmmaker Ney Sant’Anna, with whom she had a daughter. She was deeply admired by theater directors Charles Möeller and Cláudio Botelho, who directed her in several acclaimed productions.