SAO PAULO, Brazil – Popular Brazilian soap opera star Domingos Montagner drowned Thursday, September 15, in the Sao Francisco River, where his series had been filming and where his character had narrowly escaped death in a recent episode.
Montagner, a 54-year-old prime-time TV veteran, was on a break from filming hit series Velho Chico (Old Chico) in northeast Brazil when he went for a swim in the river with co-star Camila Pitanga, according to the Globo media group, which airs the show.
They were swept up in a strong current and carried downstream. Pitanga managed to grab onto a rock, but she was unable to keep hold of Montagner.
His body was found several hours later at a depth of 30 meters (100 feet) trapped among the rocks of the riverbed, reported the Globo group's flagship newspaper.
Velho Chico, one of Brazil's most-watched "novelas" – or primetime soaps – tells the story of the power struggles between two families of landholders in the turbulent 1970s.
Tragically, Montagner played the role of Santo, who disappeared in the same river in a recent episode. In the series, he was rescued by an indigenous tribe.
Montagner's death triggered an outpouring of shock and sympathy in Brazil, where millions of viewers watch novelas each day.
The actor was married with three children. – Rappler.com