Gerson Brenner: Remembering the ‘Corpo Dourado’ Star’s 1998 Shooting & Legacy

Gerson Brenner, a popular television actor in Brazil known for his roles in 1990s Globo network novelas, died Monday night at the age of 66, his wife, Marta Brenner, confirmed. The actor’s death was due to multiple organ failure, according to reports.

Brenner’s career was dramatically altered in August 1998 when he was shot during an attempted robbery while changing a tire on the SP-060 highway, between the Ayrton Senna and Presidente Dutra roadways in Guararema, São Paulo. He was on his way to Rio de Janeiro to film the final scenes of the novela Corpo Dourado, where he played the character Jorginho, a farm owner.

According to police reports at the time, Brenner was traveling alone in a green Volkswagen Golf when he stopped to change a flat tire around 2:30 AM. He may have resisted the attempted robbery, leading to the shooting. He was discovered on the roadside at approximately 4:00 AM by a passing motorist who alerted the State Highway Patrol. Brenner was initially taken to Santa Casa de Jacareí hospital before being transferred to the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo by helicopter.

The bullet entered Brenner’s left hemisphere and lodged near the base of his skull, causing significant damage to areas of the brain controlling speech and motor function. He remained hospitalized for nearly three months, until October 23rd, amid a family dispute over his care. A legal battle ensued between his then-wife, ballerina Denize Tacto, and his family over control of his assets and medical decisions while he was incapacitated. Tacto secured a preliminary injunction granting her the right to manage his affairs.

Despite the severe and lasting effects of the shooting, Brenner continued to live with the consequences for the remainder of his life. His former wife, Denize Tacto, posted on Instagram Monday, stating, “He fought against a system that protects criminals and keeps decent citizens hostage. May he now rest in peace from this cruel world.” She described Brenner as the most generous person she had ever known.

Investigators found rocks on the highway near Brenner’s car, consistent with a tactic used by a local gang to force vehicles to stop for robberies. Brenner had managed to change one of the tires before being shot; the other remained flat. The trajectory of the bullet indicated he was standing when he was struck by a pistol.

Brenner is survived by his wife, Marta Brenner, and two daughters: Anna Luisa Haas Oliveira, 31, and Vitória Brenner, 25. He rose to prominence in the 1990s with roles in several popular Globo novelas, including Top Model (1989), Rainha da Sucata (1990), where he played Gerson Giovanni, a paragliding instructor, Perigosas Peruas (1992), and Lua Cheia de Amor (1990). He was known for portraying strong, good-natured characters.