Carlos Cesare, the actor and clown who portrayed the character Pablo on Silvio Santos’s game show Qual é a Música at SBT during the 1980s, has died at the age of 60. Cesare passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in São José dos Campos, São Paulo.
The Bottom Line
- The Milestone: Carlos Cesare, an interpreter of the Pablo character on Qual é a Música, passed away at age 60 in São José dos Campos.
- The Television Legacy: Cesare joined the SBT show in 1986 at age 20, holding the role for four years following original performer Augusto Rodríguez.
- Beyond the Screen: Off-camera, Cesare performed in the circus as Palhaço Eugênio Garnizé and maintained a friendship with the actor Domingos Montagner.
Remembering the Man Behind the Makeup on Silvio Santos’s Show
Television history often focuses on the main hosts, but the supporting players build the texture of classic variety entertainment. Carlos Cesare stepped into a role in Brazilian television when he became an actor to play Pablo on Qual é a Música. Taking over the role in 1986 at just 20 years old, Cesare brought physical comedy and charm to the show on SBT.
Cesare held the position for four years, becoming a familiar face to households tuning in for the variety hours helmed by Silvio Santos. When the network eventually revived the format in the late 1990s, the role transitioned to Felipeh Campos alongside Ellen Rocche, but Cesare’s years remained a touchstone for the era.
From Television Studios to the Circus Ring
While many remember him from their living room television sets, Cesare’s artistic home was the live performance space. Away from the cameras, he dedicated his career to the circus arts, performing under the persona Palhaço Eugênio Garnizé. This traditional background connected him to the broader community of Brazilian physical performers and actors.
Through his years in the circus community, Cesare formed a friendship with the actor Domingos Montagner, who passed away in 2016. Both men shared an appreciation for theatrical performance and physical arts, navigating the transition from traditional stages to broader media landscapes.
| Year / Period | Role / Milestone | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Assumed the role of Pablo | Joined SBT’s Qual é a Música at age 20, succeeding Augusto Rodríguez. |
| 1986 – 1990 | Four-year television run | Performed regularly on the Programa Silvio Santos game show segment. |
| Post-Television | Circus Performance as Palhaço Eugênio Garnizé | Focused on live circus arts and formed a personal bond with Domingos Montagner. |
| August 16, 2026 | Passing at Age 60 | Died in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, with services held at Cemitério Municipal Padre Rodolfo Komorek. |
Final Farewells in São Paulo
Following his passing on Sunday, August 16, family and peers gathered to honor his life and career. The wake and burial took place at the Cemitério Municipal Padre Rodolfo Komorek on Monday, August 17. While his family chose not to publicly disclose the specific cause of death, tributes from fans and colleagues underscored the affection held for the performer.
As Brazilian television continues to look back at the era of variety programming pioneered by icons like Silvio Santos, the loss of figures like Carlos Cesare serves as a reminder of the artists who populated those stages. Drop a comment below with your favorite memories of watching classic television during the 1980s.
