Celebrities

There aren't many. But still you can find some Portuguese celebrities known worldwide, more or less. Here is a selection for your internetting pleasure. I know there are other famous portuguese people. Like I said, this is only a selection. If you think there is someone who should be here and isn't, there is a very good reason for that. This is my site and I decide! Get it, buster? 

	Eusébio (1942-) Other countries have actors, writers, scientists as their most renowned celebrity. Portugal has a football player. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, called "the black panther", was born in the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique and played most of his carreer for Benfica of Lisbon. With Benfica and the Portuguese national team he became one of the best football players of all times. He travels a lot as the Portuguese national team's public relations and is recognized wherever he goes (you name the country, he has given autographs there). In the above picture you can see him in action against Hungary in the 1966 World Cup. If you can't tell which one is the african born Eusébio and which are the hungarians, you are an idiot (sorry about that). If you happen to be american, I will explain later why they are playing football without helmets.
	Amália Rodrigues (1920-1999) The queen of Fado, having sold millions of records worldwide, Amália became a symbol of Fado and Portugal itself. Our first international superstar who will always be remebered with a drunken, sardine-stained smile. "Aaaaaah fadista!"
	Vasco da Gama (1469-1524) Probably the most famous Portuguese navigator. Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route from Europe to India, going around the african continent (sneaky devil). This allowed the Portuguese to break the spice monopoly held by the arabs and italians. He now has a bridge, a shopping center, an aquarium and several football clubs with his name.
	Fernão de Magalhães (1480-1521) Another Portuguese navigator and explorer, possibly even more famous than Vasco da Gama. Magalhães achieved the first circumnavigation of the world (he sailed around the world, no need to rush to the dictionary). He is not that appreciated in Portugal because he did this while at the service of the king of Spain. If you never heard of the man, try the anglicized version Ferdinand Magellan. If you still haven't heard of him, try going to school. You learn stuff there.
	Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935) A great poet with a severe identity crisis. Also known as Alberto Caeiro, Ricardo Reis, Álvaro de Campos, Alexander Search, Bernardo Soares, Vicente Guedes and António Mora.
	Luís Vaz de Camões (1524?-1580) Another poet, author of the epic "Os Lusíadas." He became a symbol of the country who totally neglected him during his life. The day of his death from causes derived of extreme poverty (June 10th) is now the Day of Portugal celebrated in Portugal and in portuguese communities worldwide. Let us hope that the day of our own death won't be celebrated by anyone.
	Carmen Miranda (1909-1955) Singer and actress, born Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha in Marco de Canavezes, northern Portugal. Although to the world she is seen as being brazilian, and probably that isn't far from the truth, since she lived there most of her life, the "brazilian bombshell" as someone has called her was in fact portuguese.
	José Saramago (1922-2010) Writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998 with books published in more than 40 countries. Because of a disagreement with a religious fanatic secretary of State for Culture who decided his "Gospel according to Jesus Christ" could not run for an award, Saramago left Portugal and moved to an island in Spain where he started a seashell collection.
	Manoel de Oliveira (1908-) Film director who has been working for more than sixty years, making him the oldest filmmaker in activity. He collects awards from international festivals and likes surfing, bungee jumping and other extreme sports.
	Saint Anthony (1195-1231) Catholic saint with a feast celebrated on June 13th. Born Fernando de Bulhão, he lived a great part of his life in Padova, Italy, causing him to be called Saint Anthony of Padova (which makes people from Lisbon quite mad). One of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi, there is a big party in Lisbon in his memory (and also in memory of another saint: Saint Alcohol).
	Joaquim de Almeida (1957-) and Maria de Medeiros (1965-) Two actors that have achieved a certain degree of international success, having even made some movies in Hollywood. Medeiros was in movies like "Henry & June" and "Pulp Fiction" while Almeida portraied latin-american characters, while trying to grow eyebows, in movies like "Clear and present danger", "Only you" and "Desperado". He bragged for months after having worked with Harrison Ford in "Clear and present danger."
	Madredeus-The most popular portuguese band abroad. So they say. I have listened to some things but have never seen them in concert. But I have a friend who swears he did. He even took a photo but it's an obvious montage. A Madredeus concert in Portugal... preposterous...
	Luís Figo (1972-) In recent years, it has been common for Portugal to have a lot of famous football players playing abroad. This is probably the most famous of all. I have no idea what the hell he is doing with his hands in this photo but I prefer not to know.
	Cristiano Ronaldo (1985-) Figo is getting old and will soon stop playing, moving into the limbo of past sports idols. So I should replace him with this youngster here as the quintessential Portuguese football star. But I can't take that wonderfully absurd photo down. I'm sorry but I just can't.
	Brad Pitt (1963-) One of the most famous moviestars in the world. He is not portuguese, of course. But he could be! If only his mother had decided to travel to Portugal when she was preagnant to have some sardines he could very well be portuguese. And you all know how preagnant women dig fish.