Biography

A former bank manager, Eric Barreto became a well-known drag performer. He had a character, Diana Finsk, who impersonated various international pop artists. However, it was as Carmen Miranda that he became known to the public.

It was during a Brigitte Blair concert that Barreto first performed the role of the singer. On one occasion, he was spotted by Carmen Miranda's sister, Aurora Miranda, who later recommended him to filmmaker Helena Solberg for the lead role in the 1995 docudrama "Carmen Miranda: Bananas is my Business," in which Eric played Carmen Miranda. Aurora considered Eric a living image of the singer and actress.

During Carnival, he became famous for his performances with Banda Carmen Miranda and at the Rio de Janeiro Sambadrome, where he paraded with five schools impersonating the artist. In recent years, he has also played characters such as Clara Nunes, Elis Regina, Elba Ramalho, Cazuza, Liza Minelli, and Vanusa on stage.

Eric Barreto died on May 3, 1996 at the Hospital Evangélico e Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro, from complications resulting from AIDS. He was single and lived alone in the Vila Isabel neighborhood. He was buried on May 4 at the São João Batista Cemetery in Botafogo, the same cemetery where Carmen Miranda is buried.
- IMDb mini biography by: Edig