Wagner Maniçoba de Moura (Portuguese pronunciation: ; born 27 June 1976) is a Brazilian actor, director, filmmaker, musician, and journalist. Wagner started his career doing theater in Salvador, where he worked with renowned directors, and soon scored some appearances in films. In 2003, he got his first leading roles in movies, in addition to having a prominent role in Carandiru, which propelled him to the main scene of Brazilian cinema. He continued starring in national feature films, including the box office hits Elite Squad and Elite Squad 2, playing the famous character Capitão Nascimento. The first film received the Golden Bear award and both productions reverberated outside Brazil, which boosted the actor's international recognition.

In 2007, he was the antagonist of the telenovela Paraíso Tropical, being praised for his performance by both the public and the critics.

In 2013, he was cast in the American science fiction feature film Elysium, opposite Matt Damon and Jodie Foster The film marked the international debut of the Brazilian actor, who received praise from critics for this work. In 2015, he went on to star in the series Narcos, playing drug trafficker Pablo Escobar, a role for which he was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe. Later, Moura came back as a director for two episodes of Narcos: Mexico.

Besides being a well-established and acclaimed actor in Brazil, Moura achieved a consolidated international career and it is part of the movement that seeks positive representation for Latin Americans in Hollywood.

In 2021, he made his debut as a movie director and screenwriter with Marighella, a biopic about Carlos Marighella, which hit cinemas after a well received debut on Berlin Film Festival in 2019. The movie won several awards, included best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay for Moura in different ceremonies.

Early life
Moura was born in Salvador and raised in Rodelas, 540 km from the capital. José Moura, his father, was in the military, so the family, still consisting of his mother, Alderiva, and his younger sister Lediane - who works as a pediatrician - got used to moving around. His relationship with acting started thanks to a schoolmate that, just like him, was passionate for the arts. His colleague did theater and Wagner wanted to follow the same steps to try to find a class that would fit in.

He became best friends with Emmy nominee actor Lazaro Ramos during teenage times in Bahia. Ramos reported that his friend was a great supporter of his career since youth.