Playwright Manoel Carlos, known as Maneco and creator of the iconic Helenas in Globo novelas, died on Saturday (January 10), at 92, in Rio de Janeiro. He was interned at Hospital Copa Star in Copacabana, treating Parkinson's. The death was confirmed by his daughter Júlia Almeida's production company.
Manoel Carlos, born March 14, 1933, in São Paulo, shaped Brazilian teledramaturgy with dramas of Rio's upper-middle class, especially in Leblon. His career started in the 1950s at TV Tupi and Record, directing music shows like 'O Fino da Bossa' and 'Jovem Guarda'. At Globo since 1973, he wrote hits like 'Baila Comigo' (1981), featuring the first Helena played by Lilian Lemmertz, followed by 'Por Amor' (1997), 'Laços de Família' (2000), and 'Mulheres Apaixonadas' (2003), which influenced laws such as the Elderly Statute and Maria da Penha Law.
The Helenas, inspired by Helen of Troy, were strong women keeping family secrets, portrayed by actresses like Regina Duarte (three times), Vera Fischer, Christiane Torloni, and Taís Araújo, the only Black one. His last novela, 'Em Família' (2014), honored Lemmertz with Julia Lemmertz in the lead.
Maneco's personal life was tragic: father of five, he lost three sons – Ricardo in 1988 (HIV complications), Manoel Carlos Júnior in 2012 (heart attack), and Pedro in 2014 (sudden illness at 22, in New York) – plus his first wife, Maria de Lourdes.
Months before his death, in September 2025, the family sued Globo for lack of transparency in royalties from reruns. Artists mourned: Taís Araújo posted on Instagram: 'Thank you for believing in me and for making Brazil dream.' Walcyr Carrasco called him a 'master.' Globo will reprise the 'Tributo' program on Monday (12). The wake is restricted to family.
