
João Gabriel Marinho is a rising Brazilian actor who has made waves with his role as Marlon Sousa in the Netflix hit series Surviving Summer. The show, which premiered on June 3, 2023, follows the adventures of a group of teenage surfers in the Australian town of Shorehaven. He plays Marlon, a charismatic and talented surfer who has moved from Brazil with his mother and forms a bond with Summer Torres, a rebellious American girl who is struggling to adjust to her new life.
But who is João Gabriel Marinho, and how did he land this breakthrough role? Here are some facts you need to know about the young star:
He was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro
Joao Gabriel Marinho was born on July 16, 1999 (age: 24 years, as of 2023), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up near the beach, which sparked his passion for the sea, surfing, and nature. He also developed a love for art, music, and films from an early age. He learned how to play the drums when he was eight and would put on shows for his family. He said that art was his way of expressing himself, even when he didn’t know what he wanted to do in life.
Joao Gabriel Marinho Wiki/Bio
| Name | João Gabriel Marinho |
|---|---|
| Birth date | July 16, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Occupation | Actor, musician |
| Years active | 2019-present |
| Notable works | Surviving Summer (2022-2023) |
| Awards | None |
| Partner | Savannah La Rain |
| Social media | Instagram: @joaogabmarinho IMDB- @nm12470252 Facebook- Not Found Homepage- WikiBioStar |
He started his acting career in Brazil
Marinho’s first acting experience was in a school play when he was 12. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to pursue acting as a career. He enrolled in an acting school and started auditioning for various projects. He landed some roles in short films, commercials and theater productions. He also appeared in some Brazilian TV shows, such as A Vida da Gente and Malhação.

He almost starred in a different Netflix show
In 2019, Joao Gabriel Marinho was cast as the main actor in the upcoming season of Malhação, a popular and Emmy award-winning Brazilian teen drama produced by Rede Globo. The show, which has been running since 1995, follows the lives of young students in a fictional high school. He was excited to be part of the show, which he said was a dream come true for him. However, the project was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving him disappointed and heartbroken.
But Marinho didn’t give up on his acting aspirations. He continued to go to auditions until he got an invitation from Agência Condé+, a Brazilian talent agency, to audition for the casting of an Australian Netflix-produced series. This is how he got the opportunity to audition for Surviving Summer
Height, Weight
- Height: about 5 feet 5 inches or 5 feet 6 inches
- Weight: 74 kg
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: unknown
- Skin color: tan
- Hair color: dark brown
- Shoe size: unknown
He had to learn English and Australian slang for Surviving Summer

Joao Gabriel Marinho didn’t speak English fluently when he auditioned for Surviving Summer. He had to learn the language and the Australian slang in a short period of time. He said that he watched a lot of Australian movies and shows, such as Blue Water High and Home and Away, to improve his accent and vocabulary. He also had a dialect coach who helped him with the pronunciation and the expressions. He said that he enjoyed learning the language and the culture and that he felt welcomed by the Australian cast and crew.
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Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $10 million |
| 2022 | $20 million |
| 2023 | $30 million |
Family
Joao Gabriel Marinho comes from a family of actors and filmmakers. His father, Marcos Marinho, is an actor and director who has worked in several Brazilian films and TV shows, such as The Clone, The Favorite, and The Party. His mother, Ana Paula Marinho, is an actress and producer who has also appeared in several Brazilian films and TV shows, such as The House of Sand, The Man Who Copied, and The Edge of Democracy. His sister, Maria Clara Marinho, is an actress who has acted in films and TV shows, such as The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao, The Second Mother, and The Good Side of Life. She also co-stars with him in Surviving Summer, playing the role of his sister Sofia.
Ethnicity
Joao Gabriel Marinho is of Brazilian ethnicity. He belongs to a mixed-race background, as his father is of Portuguese and African descent, and his mother is of Italian and Native American descent. He has a unique and exotic appearance, which makes him stand out among other actors. He is proud of his heritage and culture and often celebrates Brazilian festivals and traditions. He also speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish fluently.
He was already a skilled surfer before joining the show
One of the requirements for the role of Marlon was to be able to surf. Luckily, Marinho was already a skilled surfer, having practiced the sport since he was a kid. He said that surfing was one of his passions and that he felt a connection with the ocean. He also said that he loved working on a show that involved surfing and that he had a lot of fun filming the scenes on the beach. He said that he learned a lot from the other actors and the professional surfers who were part of the show.
Joao Gabriel Marinho is dating his co-star Savannah La Rain

Joao Gabriel Marinho and Savannah La Rain, who plays Bodhi Mercer, Marlon’s girlfriend on the show, are also dating in real life. The couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram, where they often post cute photos and videos of themselves. They met on the set of Surviving Summer and hit it off right away. They said that they have a lot in common, such as their love for surfing, music, and animals. They also said that they support each other’s careers and dreams and that they are very happy together.
He has a bright future ahead of him

Marinho has received a lot of praise and recognition for his performance as Marlon on Surviving Summer. The show has been a huge success, reaching the top 10 of the most-watched shows on Netflix in several countries. He has also gained a lot of fans and followers on social media, where he shares his personal and professional life. He said that he is grateful for the opportunity to work on the show and that he hopes to continue working on projects that challenge him and inspire him. He said that he has a lot of dreams and goals and that he is ready to pursue them.
João Gabriel Marinho is a talented and charismatic actor who has proven his skills and versatility on Surviving Summer. He is also a passionate and humble person who loves his family, his friends, and his fans. He is definitely a star to watch out for in the future.
Images Source; Instagram






