Actor
Leandro Firmino
Born 24 June 1978 · Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Leandro Firmino is a Brazilian actor born in Rio de Janeiro in 1978. He is best known for playing the ruthless gang leader Zé Pequeno (Li'l Zé) in City of God (2002), one of the most celebrated Brazilian films of its era. He has continued working in Brazilian cinema since.
Key films
City of God (2002)
His breakout and defining role as the gang boss Zé Pequeno in a landmark of world cinema.
Palace II (2000)
Early screen credit, two years before his breakthrough in City of God.
Cafundó (2005)
A post-City of God Brazilian feature that showed his work beyond the crime-drama role.
The Man Who Challenged the Devil (2007)
A later Brazilian feature in which he appeared as part of the ensemble cast.
City of God: 10 Years Later (2013)
Revisits the film's legacy a decade on, with him among those returning to it.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 24
- 2000Palace II · as PatrãoActor
- 2002City of God · as Zé Pequeno / DadinhoActor
- 2003O Corneteiro Lopes · as FelicianoActor
- 2003Cidade de Deus: Oficina dos Atores · as HimselfActor
- 2005Cafundó · as CirinoActor
- 2006Cheating in ChainsActor
- 2007The Man Who Challenged the Devil · as Zé PretinhoActor
- 2010No Olho da RuaActor
- 2011Corpo PresenteActor
- 2012Agamenon: The Film · as MatadorActor
- 2012Totally Innocent · as AlgodãoActor
- 2013City of God: 10 Years Later · as HimselfActor
- 2014Julio Sumiu · as Tião DemônioActor
- 2015LyricsActor
- 2016Jules and Dolores · as CecílioActor
- 2018Goitaca · as Goitaca ChiefActor
- 2023Falas Negras: Histórias (Im)possíveis · as JustinoActor
- 2024Noah's Ark · as Urso (voice)Actor
- 2024São Gonçalo 50°CActor
- 2025You Gotta Have Faith · as Bishop Dom DominicActor
- 2026Beast Race · as MedonhoActor
- 2026My First LoveActor
- 2026Canned HeatActor
- 2027MC EstrelaActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.