Rodrigo Santoro (born on August 22, 1975) is a Brazilian actor. He first dipped his toes into acting in the early ’90s while studying journalism at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, landing roles in Brazilian telenovelas that quickly showcased his natural charisma on screen. His big break arrived in 2001 with the powerful drama Brainstorm (Bicho de Sete Cabeças), a performance so compelling it earned him Brazil’s inaugural Best Actor award from the Brazilian Academy of Arts and Film.
From there, Santoro smoothly transitioned to Hollywood, popping up in crowd‑pleasers like Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle and Love Actually in 2003. But it was his portrayal of the majestic Persian King Xerxes in Zack Snyder’s 300 (2006) — a role he revisited in 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) — that cemented his international stardom. Television audiences also got hooked on his talent through memorable turns on Lost and, more recently, as a recurring presence in HBO’s hit sci‑fi series Westworld (2016–2020).
What’s striking about Santoro is his fearless choice of roles: from the revolutionary fervor of Che (2008) to the dark comedy of I Love You Phillip Morris (2009) and the slick con‑artist world of Focus (2015). Along the way, he’s collected accolades around the globe — including the prestigious Ischia Award for International Contribution in 2008 — proving that his appeal goes far beyond borders.
As of March 2025, Rodrigo Santoro is 35 years and 8 months old. His estimated net worth is $10 million, and he is 6 feet 2 inches (186.5 cm or 1.86 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Rodrigo Junqueira dos Reis Santoro
Nickname
Rodrigo
Profession
Actor, Voice Actor
Career
Debut
Film
Depois do Escuro (1996)
TV Show
Olho no Olho (1993)
Best Known for
For his roles as Persian King Xerxes in “300” (2006) and “300: Rise of an Empire” (2014), and for his appearances in “Westworld” and “Lost”.
Awards
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
August 22, 1975
Age
As of today, Rodrigo Santoro is 35 years and 8 months old.
Zodiac sign
Leo
Signature
Nationality
Brazilian
Birth Place
Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Residence
Petrópolis
School / College / University
Rodrigo attended the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), where he studied journalism. He did not complete his degree, instead pursuing a career in acting by joining the Actor’s Workshop of Rede Globo in 1993.
Religion
Catholic
Race / Ethnicity
Rodrigo Santoro’s heritage is largely European — his father is Italian and his mother is of Portuguese (including Azorean) descent. In Brazil’s racial framework, he’s generally regarded as white, though his olive complexion reflects his Southern European roots rather than a stereotypical “fair” look. In the U.S., he’d also be classified as white, but that label doesn’t fully capture the Mediterranean nuance of his background.
Food Habits
Rodrigo Santoro keeps his diet pretty healthy, but prepping for 300’s Xerxes meant major changes. He ditched sweets like chocolate ice cream and hot chocolate, stressing that timing meals right was key to getting shredded. Off-screen, he’s into balanced eating and stays active with sports—basically, he’s all about that nutritious life.”
Hobbies
Rodrigo Santoro’s kinda that guy who’s always down for a game of soccer. Growing up in Brazil, he was pretty much born with a soccer ball at his feet—still loves kicking it around with friends whenever he can. Fun fact: He’s so into it that he even dropped a doc about Brazilian soccer legend Heleno de Freitas.
When he’s not on the field, you’ll catch him soaking up Rio’s vibe, mixing sports with the outdoors (beaches, mountains, you name it).
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet: 6′ 2″
- In Centimeters: 186.5 cm
- In meters: 1.86 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 77 kg
- In Pounds: 170 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 41 inches
- Biceps Size: 15 inches
- Waist Size: 33 inches
Shoe size
12 (US)
Eye color
Dark Brown
Hair Color
Salt and Pepper
Family
Wife
Mel Fronckowiak (2016–Present)
Father
Francesco Santoro
Mother
Maria José Junqueira dos Reis
Rodrigo’s mother is a passionate artist. She makes custom art for Restaurant dining table underplates. She is active on Instagram and shares her work there. People affectionately call her Yaya.
Siblings
Flávia Junqueira dos Reis Santoro (Sister)
Rodrigo’s sister Flavia is an architect. She is married and has 2 kids named Fred and Laura. She is also a dog mom of her golden retriever Chico.
Children
Nina Fronckowiak Santoro (Daughter) (Born on May 22, 2017)
Cora Santoro (Daughter) (Born in 2024)
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Married to Mel Fronckowiak
Marriage Date
In 2016
Girlfriends and Dating History
Cássia Linhares (1994—1997)
Luana Piovani (1997—2000)
Gisele Bündchen (1999)
Fernanda Lima (2001)
Ellen Jabour (2003—2008)
Natalie Portman (2009)
Jennifer Lopez (2011)
Mel Fronckowiak (2013–Present)
Rodrigo Santoro and Mel Fronckowiak first crossed paths in 2012 thanks to a mutual connection — an assistant director on the Brazilian soap opera Rebelde, where Mel was starring. What began as a friendship quickly grew into something more, and before long Mel accepted Rodrigo’s invitation to move into his apartment in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro. Despite the spark between them, the couple chose to keep their romance out of the spotlight for roughly a year, nurturing their bond away from public scrutiny.
It wasn’t until August 2013 that Rodrigo and Mel officially went public. The occasion was the launch of Mel’s memoir, Inclassificável: Memórias da Estrada and Rodrigo showed up not only in support of her work but also to join the long line of fans seeking a personal dedication. That moment marked the first time they acknowledged their relationship before the world.
Three years after they met, Rodrigo and Mel took the next step and married in 2016. Their family grew even more joyous when, in January 2017, they announced they were expecting their first child. Their daughter, Nina, arrived on May 22, 2017, filling their home with new life and laughter. While the couple has welcomed a second child since then, they’ve chosen to keep details about their youngest largely private.
Today, Rodrigo and Mel have built a partnership that spans more than a decade. Married for nine years and together for over twelve, they continue to balance busy careers in entertainment with life as devoted parents — a testament to their lasting bond.
Favorite Things
- Favorite Present of All Time – The horse that his grandfather gave his when he was 4 years old
- Actors – Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Gerard Butler, Lena Headey
- Favorite Destination – America
- Favorite Color – Brown, Black
- TV Show – Westworld
Net worth 2025
$10 million
Rodrigo Santoro’s net worth is widely estimated at $10 million, a figure compiled by Celebrity Net Worth based on public records, box‑office receipts, endorsement deals, and industry benchmarks. This number reflects decades of steady work in Brazilian television, Hollywood blockbusters, premium streaming series, voice acting, and commercial partnerships.
Acting Income
Santoro’s primary income stream has always been his acting — from early telenovelas in Brazil to iconic roles like Xerxes in 300 and Hector Escaton in HBO’s Westworld.
Film Salaries
- 300 (2006): While exact paychecks aren’t public, a supporting actor of Santoro’s stature in a $456 million‑grossing blockbuster typically earns $200K–$500K up front.
- Love Actually (2003) and Focus (2015): Comparable supporting roles in mid‑budget studio films usually pay $100K–$250K per picture.
Television Salaries
- Lost (2006–07): Recurring guest stars on network TV at that time were often paid $20K–$40K per episode.
- Westworld (2016–20): As a principal cast member on a premium cable series, Santoro’s per‑episode fee likely ranged from $75K–$125K, putting annual earnings from the show between $500K–$1 million depending on episode count.
Voice Acting
- Dubbing major animated features like Rio (2011) into Portuguese typically nets established actors $30K–$60K per film, plus residuals.
Endorsements & Commercial Work
Santoro has fronted high‑profile ad campaigns — notably a Chanel No. 5 commercial directed by Baz Luhrmann in 2004. Celebrity fragrance campaigns can pay $250K–$500K for a single spot, though his precise fee is undisclosed.
Social Media Revenue
With 2.1 million Instagram followers, Santoro commands sponsorship rates of $13.7K–$18.7K per month — roughly $192K–$262K annually. This includes paid posts, story integrations, and brand partnerships.
Residuals & Royalties
As a SAG‑AFTRA member, Santoro receives ongoing payments whenever his films and TV episodes are streamed, syndicated, or rebroadcast worldwide. These residuals can add tens of thousands of dollars each year.
Estimated Annual Income Breakdown
| Source | Annual Earnings (USD) |
|---|---|
| Base Acting Salary | $128,645 |
| Television (Westworld + Lost) | $600K–$1M |
| Film Roles (300, Focus, Love Actually) | $350K–$750K |
| Voice Acting | $30K–$60K |
| Endorsements | $250K+ |
| Instagram Sponsorships | $192K–$262K |
| Residuals/Royalties | $20K–$50K |
| Total Estimated Annual Income | $1.47M–$2.4M+ |
