Seu Jorge

This gruff-voiced carioca (resident of Rio de Janeiro) first made international waves in 2002's City Of God, playing the vaguely terrifying gangster Knockout Ned. But he'd seduced Brazilians in an earlier role: as part of pop group Farofa Carioca who had a giant hit in 1998 with "Moro no Brasil" ("I Live in Brazil"). Born Jorge Mario da Silva on June 8th, 1970, Seu Jorge captured audiences' imagination with his life story as well his talent. He grew up in rough Rio favelas, singing and playing in local bars as a teenager and trying -- and not always succeeding -- to stay out of trouble. But his dreams were cut short when his brother Vitorio was shot, and his family was made homeless. Jorge lived on the streets for three years before he lucked into a singing gig and later into theatrical work that led to the formation of Farofa Carioca. After his role in City Of God, Jorge landed a role in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic, singing amazing covers of David Bowie classics in Portuguese. His first stateside release, Cru, came out in late 2005.