Thiago Lacerda

Brazilian actor Thiago Lacerda has always been a driven individual. As a child, he excelled as a competitive swimmer, eventually garnering more than 170 medals. And as a young man his quiet charisma and rugged good looks readily landed him work as a model. Yet despite his success, Lacerda was adamant about pursuing a more reliable career. It was while he was working toward a business degree that he was first asked to try his hand at acting. The high-school-set drama series "Malhação" was looking for someone to play a convincing swim coach, and Lacerda, with his years of experience, had the build and know-how to bring the character to life. Overcoming his natural shyness, he auditioned and easily won the role of Luis, appearing on nine episodes of the long-running series. Since then, Lacerda has worked regularly in television, between one-offs and becoming a regular player on soap operas like the highly campy "América" and the mystery-driven "Pçginas da Vida." The same year as "Pçginas" was canceled, Lacerda moved on to the romance-driven series "Eterna Magia," and ignited a romance of his own, marrying Brazilian beauty Vanessa Lóes. While trying to dodge the ever-intrusive paparazzi, the pair continues to pursue their acting careers while also caring for their two children, Gael and Cora.