Gal Costa
Biography
Gal Costa was a Brazilian singer whose career spanned several decades. Born on September 26, 1945, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, she was known by the alternative name Maria. She had seventy-one known acting credits. Costa passed away on November 9, 2022, at the age of seventy-seven. In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her ninetieth on its list of the two hundred greatest singers of all time. Also in 2023, she was portrayed by Sophie Charlotte in the biographical film Meu nome é Gal. Her discography included albums such as Índia, Gal Costa, and Estratosférica Ao Vivo, released across various formats including vinyl, CD, and DVD.
Career overview
Gal Costa was a female singer born on September 26, 1945, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Also known as Maria, she had an extensive solo discography and international experience, maintaining a career that lasted for several decades. She was recognized as a fundamental presence in the Tropicalia movement and was part of Brazil's leading team of singers. Throughout her career, she accumulated seventy-one known credits in acting. Her extensive discography included various albums such as Índia, Gal Costa, and Estratosférica Ao Vivo, with releases spanning vinyl, CD, and DVD formats.
In 2023, the magazine Rolling Stone ranked her 90th on its list of the 200 greatest singers of all time. Her life and career were later depicted in the biographical film Meu nome é Gal, released in 2023, in which she was portrayed by actress Sophie Charlotte. Gal Costa passed away on November 9, 2022, at the age of seventy-seven.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
72 titles- Anything Goes (2025) Theme Song Performance
- Luiz Melodia - Within the Heart of Brazil (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Nas Ondas de Dorival Caymmi (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Simbiose (2024) Songs
- TropiGal (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Meu Nome é Gal (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 (2022) as Self
- Maria: Ninguém Sabe Quem Sou Eu (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Lupicínio Rodrigues, Confessions of a Sufferer (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Milton e o Clube da Esquina (2020) as Self
- Todas as Melodias (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Numéro un - Demis Roussos (2020) as Self
- Jackson: Na Batida do Pandeiro (2019) as Self
- Gal Costa: A Pele do Futuro – Ao Vivo (2019) as Self
- O Nome Dela é Gal (2017) as Self
- Dunas do Barato (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Eu, Meu Pai e Os Cariocas (2017) as Self
- Gal Costa: Estratosférica – Ao Vivo (2017) as Self
- Torquato Neto - Every Hour of the End (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Tropicália: 50 Anos (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Vamos Tocar (2016) as Self
- Ambitious Women (2015) as Self
- Gal Costa: Recanto – Ao Vivo (2013) as Self
- Gabriela (2012) Theme Song Performance
- Tropicália (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- The Music According to Tom Jobim (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- The Man Who Bottled Clouds (2008) as Self
- O Som do Vinil (2007) as Self
- Jorge Ben Jor - Energia (2007)
- Gal - from Tropicalism to the Present Day (2006)
- O Melhor do Acústico MTV (2005) as Self
- Gal Costa: Programa Ensaio (2005) as Self - Singer
- Phono 73: A Country and its Music (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- A Marca do Terrir (2005) as Self
- Celebrity (2003) as Self
- Outros (Doces) Bárbaros (2002) as Self
- Port of Miracles (2001) Theme Song Performance
- Brésil: La Révolution Tropicaliste (2001)
- B2 (2001)
- Gal Costa Sings Tom Jobim (1999) as Self - Singer
- Acústico MTV: Gal Costa (1997) as Self
- Bahia de Todos os Sambas (1996) as Self
- The Mandarin (1995) as Carmen Miranda
- Antonio Carlos Jobim: An All-Star Tribute (1995) as Self - Vocalist
- Deus Nos Acuda (1992) Theme Song Performance
- Torquato Neto, O Anjo Torto da Tropicália (1992) as Self
- Isto é Noel Rosa (1990) Music
- Chico, or the Country of the Lost Delicacy (1989) as Self
- Cazuza: Uma Prova de Amor (1989)
- Vale Tudo (1988) Theme Song Performance
- Criança Esperança (1986) as Self
- Mixto Quente (1986)
- Chico & Caetano (1986)
- Baby Gal (1983)
- Grandes Nomes (1980) as Self
- Mulher 80 (1979) as Self
- Dancin' Days (1978)
- Stryx (1978)
- The Trapalhões (1977)
- Os Doces Bárbaros (1977) as Self
- Numéro un (1975) as Self
- Gabriela (1975) Theme Song Performance
- Índia (1973) as Self
- The Demiurge (1972)
- A Nova Estrela (1971) as Self
- Gal Fa-Tal (1971) as Self
- My Name is Gal (1970) as Self
- My Name is Gal (1970) Music
- Nosferato in Brazil (1970)
- Bahia, For Example (1969) as Self
- Gal Costa
- Gal Costa Especial - Profana as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gal Costa best known for?
Gal Costa is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Anything Goes (2025), Ambitious Women (2015), Gabriela (2012), Kuba Wojewódzki (2002).
When and where was Gal Costa born?
Gal Costa was born on September 26, 1945 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. They passed away on November 9, 2022.
How many credits does Gal Costa have?
Gal Costa has accumulated over 72 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1969 to 2025.
What is Gal Costa's background in cinema and television?
Gal Costa was a Brazilian singer whose career spanned several decades. Born on September 26, 1945, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, she was known by the alternative name Maria. She had seventy-one known acting credits. Costa passed away on November 9, 2022, at the age of seventy-seven. In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked...
Gal Costa by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Trapalhões (1977) — aged about 31
- Dancin' Days (1978) — aged about 32
- Celebrity (2003) as Self — aged about 57
- Ambitious Women (2015) as Self — aged about 69
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