Jorge Cherques

Born in Rio de Janeiro, of Jewish descent, Jorge began his theatrical career while still in his youth.^[5][6][7] In 1943, he was part of the cast of Nelson Rodrigues' play Vestido de Noiva [pt].^[8][9] He had an extensive career in theater, winning awards for great performances, including in Um bonde chamado desejo and Ratos e Homens.^[10][11]

In the 1950s, he was invited to participate in Grande Teatro Tupi [pt], presented on the now defunct TV Tupi, and later joined the cast of TV Globo, where he made his debut in Janete Clair's soap opera Véu de Noiva in 1969.^[12][13] His film debut was in the 1964 movie O Beijo [pt], directed by Flávio Tambellini [pt], based on Nelson Rodrigues' play O Beijo no Asfalto [pt].^[14][15]

In the 1980s, he made several films with Os Trapalhões, a popular Brazilian comedy group.^{[16][17][18][19]} At the end of the 1990s, he began to devote himself to theater and training actors.^[7] On TV, the actor participated in important soap operas such as Carinhoso^[20], Gabriela^[21], A Sucessora^[22], Paraíso [pt]^[23], Dona Beija [pt]^[24], Vamp^[25], História de Amor^[26], Alma Gêmea^[27], as well as the children's series Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo.^[28] In the field of comedy, he participated in the series A Diarista.^[29] His last role on television was in the comedy show Zorra Total, in 2008.^[30][31]

His last acting role was in 2010, in Thomas Edward Hale's medium-length film Viver Outra Vez, whose proceeds were donated to Retiro dos Artistas, a Brazilian charity that shelters elderly artists who are experiencing financial and emotional difficulties, have been abandoned by their families, or have nowhere to live.^[32][33]

A Jew, he always encouraged the Jewish community in São Paulo to create a theater group of Jewish actors.^[1][7] He was married to Estela Cheques from 1951 until 1985, with whom he had two daughters, Cecília and Gilda.^[34]