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Brazil TV star Domingos Montagner drowns on set of soap opera Brazil TV star Domingos Montagner drowns on set of soap opera
(about 1 hour later)
One of Brazil's best-loved television actors, Domingos Montagner, has drowned in a river where the crew had been recording scenes for the country's most popular soap opera.One of Brazil's best-loved television actors, Domingos Montagner, has drowned in a river where the crew had been recording scenes for the country's most popular soap opera.
Montagner played the leading role in Velho Chico, a soap opera named after the Sao Francisco river where he died.Montagner played the leading role in Velho Chico, a soap opera named after the Sao Francisco river where he died.
The 54-year-old had gone for a swim with an actress after a day of shooting in the north-eastern state of Sergipe.The 54-year-old had gone for a swim with an actress after a day of shooting in the north-eastern state of Sergipe.
She said he was dragged away by the river's strong currents.She said he was dragged away by the river's strong currents.
The actress, Camila Pitanga, cried for help but local people failed to act initially as they believed the drowning was a scene in the soap opera.The actress, Camila Pitanga, cried for help but local people failed to act initially as they believed the drowning was a scene in the soap opera.
The authorities said there was little that anyone could have done. Authorities said there was little that anyone could have done.
In the soap opera, Montagner played a farmer who often fought off local gunmen. In one of those clashes, he was shot multiple times and appeared to drown in the same Sao Francisco river, but reappeared weeks later.
'Dangerous area''Dangerous area'
"They thought they had chosen a safe spot to swim, but that is one of the most dangerous areas in the town of Caninde and usually avoided by locals," police chief Antonio Francisco Filho told O Globo."They thought they had chosen a safe spot to swim, but that is one of the most dangerous areas in the town of Caninde and usually avoided by locals," police chief Antonio Francisco Filho told O Globo.
A few hours after the incident, rescue teams found Montagner's body underwater, some 300 metres (984ft) from where he drowned. One person, on average, has drowned every year in the town since 2005, reports said.
Montagner was born in Sao Paulo and had a career in the circus before becoming a television actor. Four hours after the incident, rescue teams found Montagner's body underwater, some 300 metres (984ft) from where he drowned.
He had been married for 14 years to actress Luciana Lima, with whom he had three children. 'Life imitates art'
Montagner was born in Sao Paulo and had a career in the circus before becoming a television actor, in 2008.
This was his 12th role on TV. His first significant soap opera role was in 2011, and he had his film debut in 2012.
A soap opera affairA soap opera affair
The news of his death has caused commotion in Brazil, where fellow actors have paid tributes to the actor. Montagner had been married for 14 years to actress Luciana Lima, with whom he had three children.
The news of his death has caused commotion in Brazil, where fellow actors and social media users have paid tributes to the actor.
The football team he supported, Corinthians, praised him also for his success as a handball player for the club's affiliate in the 1980s.The football team he supported, Corinthians, praised him also for his success as a handball player for the club's affiliate in the 1980s.
His latest film, Um Namorado Para Minha Mulher (A Boyfriend For My Wife), was released two weeks ago.His latest film, Um Namorado Para Minha Mulher (A Boyfriend For My Wife), was released two weeks ago.