José Dumont (born 1 August 1950 in Belém, Paraíba) is a Brazilian TV and movie actor, known for his role as the family father in Behind the Sun (Abril Despedaçado), a film by director Walter Salles. He is also known by his role as the slick artist agent-entrepreneur in the 2005 Brazilian drama film Two Sons of Francisco.
Born in the state of Paraíba, in Brazilian Northeast, Dumont has the typical physique du rôle of its inhabitants, and because of this used to be often chosen to portray them. He began his award-studded acting career in the theater and cinema, in 1975. He became better known throughout the country by his noted participation in the films Lucio Flavio, directed by Hector Babenco in 1977, and Gaijin: Roads to Freedom, directed by Tizuka Yamasaki, in 1980. His first awards came in 1979, as the best actor in the film festivals of Gramado and Brasília, in O Homem que Virou Suco, directed by João Batista de Andrade, and in the film festival of Cuba. In 2004 he was again awarded as best actor in Narradores de Javé.
Dumont also acted in many TV series and telenovelas. He was in the permanent cast of Rede Globo. His most notable portrayals were in América (2005), Terra Nostra (1999), Tocaia Grande (1995), Guerra Sem Fim (1993), Amazônia (1991), A História de Ana Raio e Zé Trovão (1990), Pantanal (1990), Grande Sertão: Veredas (1985), Corpo a Corpo (1984), Padre Cícero (1984), Fernando da Gata (1983), Bandidos da Falange (1983) and Lampião e Maria Bonita (1982), this last being his first TV appearance, with a role as lieutenant Zé Rufino in the story about the bandit (cangaceiro) Lampião.
Arrest
On September 15, 2022, Dumont was arrested on charges of suspicion of storing child pornography. He was accused of having a relationship with a 12‐year-old child, whom he would financially manipulate. A homage he was due to receive was canceled and he was fired from TV Globo. He was shooting the telenovela Todas as Flores and all of his scenes were reshot by actor Jackson Antunes. Dumont was released from jail one month later and had to wear electronic tagging.
On July 3, 2023, Dumont was sentenced to 1 year, 2 months, and 10 days of incarceration, plus a fine for storing child pornography. However, as the crime had no further impacts, and the actor was over 70-year-old, he had his sentence diminished to 1 year and 10 days on an open conditions term, which he could appeal in liberty.
In 2026, Dumont was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in prison for statutory rape of a 11-year-old boy. Dumont was arrested on 3 March 2026 at his home in Rio de Janeiro.
Main filmography
Tungstênio (2017) – Seu Nery
The Cambridge Squatter (2016) – Apolo
Trash (2014) – Carlos
A Hora e a Vez de Augusto Matraga (2012) – Padre Zequiel
O Sonho de Inacim (2009) – Miguel
Two Sons of Francisco (2005) – Miranda
Lower City (2005) – Sergipano
Olga (2004) – Manuel
Narradores de Javé (2003) – Antonio Biá
Behind the Sun (2001) – The father
Kenoma (1998) – Lineu
At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991) – Commander Guzman
Running Out of Luck (1987)
Hour of the Star (1985) – Olímpico de Jesus
Avaete, Seed of Revenge (1985)
O Baiano Fantasma (1984) – Lambusca
Os Trapalhões e o Mágico de Oróz (1984) – Tatu
Memoirs of Prison (1984) – Mario Pinto
O Homem que Virou Suco (1981) – Deraldo / Severino
Gaijin: Roads to Freedom (1980) – Ceará
Colonel Delmiro Gouveia (1978) – Zé Pó
Lucio Flavio (1977)
Morte e Vida Severina (1977)
TV
2021 Nos Tempos do Imperador — Coronel Eudoro Villar
2016 Velho Chico – Zé Pirangueiro
2015 I Love Paraisópolis – Seu Expedito Rufinno
2014 Milagres de Jesus – Job
2013 Dona Xepa – Esmeraldino Losano
2012 O Milagre dos Pássaros – Capitão Lindolfo Ezequiel
2012 Fora de Controle – Macieiro
2010 Ribeirão do Tempo – Romeu Fulgêncio
2008 Os Mutantes: Caminhos do Coração – Teófilo Magalhães (Téo)
2007 Caminhos do Coração – Teófilo Magalhães (Téo)
2007 Luz do Sol – Fausto (Rede Record) (special participation)
2006 Cidadão Brasileiro – Benvindo Ferraz (Rede Record)
2005 América – Bóia
1999 Terra Nostra – Batista
1997 Mandacaru – Teco (Rede Manchete)
1995 Tocaia Grande – Né Cachorrão (Rede Manchete)
1993 Guerra sem Fim – Penteado (Rede Manchete)
1991 Amazônia – Raimundo (Rede Manchete)
1990 A História de Ana Raio e Zé Trovão – Mané Coxo (Rede Manchete)
1990 Rosa dos Rumos – Antenor (Rede Manchete)
1990 Pantanal – Gil (Juma's father) (Rede Manchete)
1988 Olho por Olho – Eurípedes Peçanha (Rede Manchete)
1987 Carmem – Aluísio (Rede Manchete)
1985 Grande Sertão: Veredas – Zé Bebelo
1985 De Quina pra Lua – Cróvis/Peixoto
1984 Corpo a Corpo – Darci
1984 Padre Cícero – Franco Rabelo
1983 Fernando da Gata – Fernando da Gata
1983 Bandidos da Falange – Valdir
1982 Lampião e Maria Bonita – Tenente Zé Rufino
1981 Morte e Vida Severina – Severino
Awards
Candango Trophy, from Brasilia Festival
1998: Best Actor, for Kenoma
1985: Best Actor, for Hour of the Star
1980: Best Actor, for O Homem que Virou Suco
Kikito de Ouro, of the Gramado Festival
1984: Best Actor, for O Baiano Fantasma
1981: Best Actor, for O Homem que Virou Suco
1980: Best actor, for Gaijin: Roads to Freedom
Havana Festival
1980: Best Actor, for O Baiano Fantasma
Brazilian Film Festival of Miami
1999: Best Actor, for Kenoma
APCA Trophy
1999: Best Actor, for Kenoma
José Dumont. Biography. CAFRI Cinema site (In Portuguese)