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Léo Batista

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Léo Batista
João Baptista Bellinaso Neto
Léo Batista in 1961
Born(1932-07-22)July 22, 1932
Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil
DiedJanuary 19, 2025(2025-01-19) (aged 92)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Occupation(s)Television presenter
Voice actor
Announcer
EmployerTV Globo

João Baptista Bellinaso Neto, better known as Léo Batista (July 22, 1932 – January 19, 2025), was a Brazilian presenter, voice actor and announcer.[1][2]

In 1970, he joined TV Globo, the country's leading TV station, where he stayed for more than 50 years.[3][4] With the death of Cid Moreira, he became the broadcaster's longest-serving employee, aged 92 until his death. He was in charge of sports programs, as well as presenting some editions of the Globo Esporte program.[5][6]

Léo was one of the journalists who broadcast Garrincha's first official soccer match.[7] He was a Botafogo fan.[8]

Biography

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Son of Italian immigrants Antonio Bellinaso and Maria Rivaben, João Baptista was born in the interior of São Paulo in the then district of Cordeiro, in the municipality of Limeira.[9][10] The pseudonym "Léo" came from his sister's name, Leonilda – "she hates her name, Leonilda, and we only call her Nilda. I took her 'Léo', left João Bellinaso Neto aside, and became Léo Batista" – said Léo.[11] He moved to Campinas to study.[10] During this time he worked as a waiter and "handyman" in a boarding house that belonged to his father.[10][12]

In 1947, he made his debut on the microphone at the invitation of a cousin, Antonio Beraldo, known as Toninho, who opened a loudspeaker service in Cordeirópolis, something very common in small towns.[2] The studio was in a square near his father's boarding house. Léo was the last to take the test. He read an ad, performed a song, and got the opportunity to broadcast news. His cousin liked it and said that he would be the announcer. Léo said he thought he was crazy just to think of presenting this idea to his father, Antonio Francesco Belinaso, who was already upset that he had left school to become a waiter.[13]

His father's reaction was to be expected. Especially since, at that time, broadcasters, actors, and musicians were all frowned upon because of the common belief that they led bohemian. However, Beraldo said the magic words to his uncle: "Mr. Antônio, he's going to work, but not for free. I'll give him 200,000 réis just to get started. And if he gets any ads, he'll get a commission." With no money, the father immediately changed his tone: "Oh, he's going to earn a little money? That's fine, but it has to be after working hours at the boarding house".[14]

Professional career

[edit]

Radio

[edit]
Leo Batista in 1954.

Approximately six months after his experience with his cousin Beraldo, Léo received an invitation from Domingos Lote Neto. He liked his voice and insisted on taking him for a test at the newly opened Rádio Clube de Birigui, which he did. Léo was hired.[15] There, he broadcast soccer matches, the Independence parade, and auditorium programs such as "Clube da Alegria", in which he had the privilege of introducing Hebe Camargo at the station's first-anniversary party.[7][16]

In Piracicaba, he worked for Difusora Radio.[17] At the time, the local team, XV de Novembro, had climbed to the first division of Paulistão and was looking for a sports announcer.[18] Léo began to follow and narrate the games from the old pitch on Regente Street (the Barão da Serra Negra stadium didn't exist yet).[18] After gaining experience in sports coverage in larger stadiums, he started broadcasting matches in stadiums such as Pacaembu in São Paulo and Vila Belmiro in the city of Santos. Léo himself reveals in his interviews: "I was daring. I even came to Rio to broadcast the 1950 FIFA World Cup."[13]

In 1952, Léo went to Rio de Janeiro to apply for a job at Clube do Brasil Radio [pt], but instead was hired by Rádio Globo to work as an announcer and news editor on the program "O Globo no Ar", hosted by Raul Brunini [pt].[19][20][21]

His debut as a sports announcer came in a match between São Cristóvão and Bonsucesso at the Maracanã.[22] From the 1950 edition onwards, Léo took part in all the FIFA World Cups, totaling 13 editions of the competition.[23] 13 was also the number of Olympic Games in which he worked for the broadcaster.[23] He also performed at the Pan American Games and Formula One races.[24][25] "I haven't missed anything else," says Léo an interview with Observatório da Imprensa.[26]

He was one of those who broadcast Mané Garrincha's first career match in 1953.[27] On Rádio Globo, Léo Batista made history in 1954, as the first broadcaster to report on Getúlio Vargas' suicide.[28][29][30]

TV

[edit]

Léo always liked the medium. In 1955, he changed jobs and moved to the now-defunct TV Rio, where for 13 years he commanded Telejornal Pirelli [pt], one of the most successful newscasts on television.[31][32] He was also an announcer for the animation The Marvel Super Heroes.[33][34]

He arrived at TV Globo in 1970 and soon stood out due to his relaxed style. In 1970, as a freelancer, he was asked to join TV Globo's sports team, which had sent its top names to Mexico to cover the World Cup. He was also invited to join the team.[35]

Shortly after the World Cup, he had to replace presenter Cid Moreira on an edition of Jornal Nacional.[36] He responded well and was hired permanently, even presenting the Saturday editions of JN.[37]

Léo Batista was Globo's longest-serving presenter and was one of the creators of the Globo Esporte – the broadcaster's sports program in 1978.[38] At the broadcaster, Léo inaugurated Jornal Hoje in 1971, alongside Luís Jatobá [pt] and Márcia Mendes, took part in Globo Rural, narrated the goals of the day on Fantástico, and has a captive microphone on Globo Esporte and Esporte Espetacular.[3][38][39]

In the 1980s and 1990s, he even presented a sports block on Jornal Nacional on Saturdays.[37] His face could be seen on the Saturday editions of Globo Esporte and his voice on Wednesdays during breaks in the Brazilian national team matches.[40]

In 1994, he was the first to announce the death of Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna.[41] He was on Fantástico from 1973 until 2007.[42]

Retirement

[edit]

In 2007, in an interview with the Brazilian Press Association [pt] (ABI), Léo always commented: "If they find a machine gun, with a real bullet, that doesn't miss, to shoot me, I'll suddenly stop working. But if not, I won't stop. I'm 75 years old, I've completed 60 years in the profession – and I can't even find the right word to describe how I feel about it."[13] He continues: "The other day I was imagining the time when I can no longer go into the station and talk to my friends. I avoid thinking about that. I want to carry on doing my job. Unless they think I've gotten too old, that I'm already an old man. (laughs) As long as God gives me a voice and my health and TV Globo wants me to, I'll carry on."[13]

Personal life

[edit]

He was married to Leyla Chavantes Belinaso, who drowned in the swimming pool of the couple's home in the Jacarepaguá neighborhood in Rio, who died at the age of 84 on January 29, 2022.[43][44] The couple had two daughters.[45]

Death

[edit]

He died at the age of 92, on January 19, 2025, after spending thirteen days in the Rio D'Or Hospital [pt].[46] The announcer had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after complaining of abdominal pain and dehydration.[47] His body was laid to rest at the headquarters of Botafogo, his favorite team.[48] He was buried with his parents in his hometown of Cordeirópolis, in the interior of São Paulo.[49]

His death was mourned by the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who wrote "Brazil will miss his talent".[50][51] Cristina Saad (UNIÃO), mayor of Batista's hometown, Cordeirópolis, decreed three days of mourning in the municipality.[52] State soccer championship matches held a minute's silence in honor of Batista.[53] The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes (PSD), the city where Batista lived for more than 60 years, sent a wreath of flowers to the funeral.[54] The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and Rio de Janeiro Senator and former soccer player Romário (PL) also sent flowers.[54]

Honors and recognition

[edit]

To commemorate his 76 years in sports journalism, Léo Batista had his story described in a four-part series called "Léo Batista - A Voz Marcante".[55][56] It was shown in June 2024 on the SporTV channel.[57] The documentary was directed by Kizzy Magalhães and featured several testimonials, such as Pedro Bial, Galvão Bueno, and Luís Roberto [pt].[56][58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Neves, Carla (January 19, 2025). "Léo Batista, pioneiro do jornalismo esportivo na TV, morre aos 92 anos". Quem (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Miloni, Diogo. "Léo Batista - Que fim levou?". Terceiro Tempo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Atriz que dá vida aos cavalinhos do Fantástico narrou 'Zebrinha'". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 22, 2025. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  4. ^ Vaquer, Gabriel (December 5, 2023). "Globo recria 1º Esporte Espetacular com Léo Batista para comemorar 50 anos do programa". Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  5. ^ "Emocionado, Leo Batista acompanha saída do caixão de Cid Moreira no fim do velório". Extra (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 4, 2024. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  6. ^ Vaquer, Gabriel (January 19, 2025). "Outro Canal: Léo Batista tinha 'contrato vitalício' e era funcionário mais antigo da Globo". Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Relembre a icônica carreira de Léo Batista no jornalismo". Lance! (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  8. ^ "Homenagem no estádio, paixão ao acaso: entenda a relação de Léo Batista com o Botafogo". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  9. ^ Oliveira, Douglas (January 19, 2025). "Morre ícone do esporte brasileiro e cordeiropolense Léo Batista". Prefeitura Municipal de Cordeirópolis (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on February 2, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "Léo Batista". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  11. ^ "Léo Batista não se chamava 'Léo'; conheça a origem do nome artístico". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  12. ^ "Léo Batista? Nome do apresentador era outro; entenda". ISTOÉ Independente (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d Marques, José (June 6, 2007). "Entrevista – Léo Batista". Associação Brasileira de Imprensa. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  14. ^ "João Baptista Bellinaso Neto". Family Search. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  15. ^ Moura, Bruno (January 19, 2025). "Apresentador Léo Batista morre no Rio de Janeiro, aos 92 anos". Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "Léo Batista". Museu Itinerante do Futebol. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  17. ^ "FPF lamenta o falecimento do jornalista Léo Batista". Federação Paulista de Futebol. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Os 2 times do coração de Léo Batista, lenda do jornalismo". No Ataque (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "Cem anos do rádio no Brasil: a Rádio Globo". Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). August 21, 2022. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  20. ^ Omena, Matheus (January 19, 2025). "Léo Batista, a voz marcante do jornalismo esportivo no Brasil, morre aos 92 anos". Exame (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 1, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  21. ^ "SporTV faz série sobre Léo Batista". História Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 3, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  22. ^ "Ícone do jornalismo, Léo Batista noticiou momentos históricos, como a morte de Ayrton Senna e o suicídio de Getúlio Vargas". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Simonetti, Giovanna (January 19, 2025). "Morre Léo Batista, Ícone do Jornalismo Esportivo Nacional, Aos 92 Anos". Forbes Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  24. ^ Gobbo, Andrei; Veiga, Livia (January 19, 2025). "Relembre momentos de Léo Batista na Fórmula 1". Motor Sport (in Brazilian Portuguese). Universo Online. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  25. ^ "Equipe - 1975". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  26. ^ Marques, José Reinaldo (July 10, 2007). "Lenda viva do rádio e da TV". Observatório da Imprensa (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  27. ^ "Morre Léo Batista, a voz marcante do esporte e da comunicação brasileira, aos 92 anos". ESPN.com (in Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  28. ^ Especial O Globo no Ar (05/08/1954 e 26/08/1954 com Léo Batista) (Radio broadcast) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 20, 2025 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "Léo Batista noticiou suicídio de Getúlio Vargas e morte de Ayrton Senna". ISTOÉ Independente (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 20, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  30. ^ "Morre Léo Batista, a 'voz marcante' do jornalismo esportivo no Brasil, aos 92 anos". CartaCapital (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  31. ^ "Relembre o legado de Léo Batista, "voz marcante" do jornalismo". TV Bandeirantes (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  32. ^ Viana, Angélica (December 2, 2020). "O Brasil na TV: 70 anos de história". Centro Universitário Internacional (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  33. ^ "Léo Batista faz 79 anos. Leia 5 fatos que talvez você não saiba sobre o narrador". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 22, 2011. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  34. ^ "SUPER-HERÓIS MARVEL". Retrô TV. Universo Online. Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2008.
  35. ^ "90 anos de Léo Batista: conheça a trajetória de um dos pioneiros do jornalismo esportivo na TV". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). July 22, 2022. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  36. ^ "Léo Batista revelou um dos poucos sonhos não realizados na carreira: 'Não fiquei milionário". Folha de Pernambuco (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  37. ^ a b "Leo Batista diz que Cid Moreira um dia apresentou o JN de bermuda e tênis: 'Chegou correndo'". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 3, 2024. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  38. ^ a b "Léo Batista, ícone do jornalismo brasileiro, morre aos 92 anos – Jovem Pan". Jovem Pan (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  39. ^ "JH 50 anos: Relembre alguns apresentadores que passaram pela bancada do telejornal". Jornal Hoje (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 14, 2021. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  40. ^ "A "voz marcante": Luis Roberto homenageia Léo Batista e explica origem do apelido". Globo Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-01-19. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  41. ^ "Léo Batista noticiou morte de Senna e suicídio de Getúlio Vargas". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  42. ^ Valbão, Mariana (January 19, 2025). "Quem foi Léo Batista, que apresentava quadro da Zebrinha no Fantástico". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on February 9, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  43. ^ "Esposa de Léo Batista é encontrada morta na piscina de casa". Jornal Meia-Hora (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 30, 2022. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  44. ^ "Esposa do apresentador Léo Batista é encontrada morta em casa". Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  45. ^ "Léo Batista deixou duas filhas frutos de seu casamento de 60 anos; saiba mais". CARAS Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 20, 2025. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  46. ^ "Léo Batista, a 'voz marcante' do jornalismo brasileiro, morre no Rio aos 92 anos". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  47. ^ "Tumor no pâncreas: entenda a condição do jornalista Léo Batista". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 17, 2025. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  48. ^ "Corpo de Léo Batista é velado na sede do Botafogo". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 20, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  49. ^ Alves, Diego; Pereira, Rodrigo (January 21, 2025). "Corpo de Léo Batista é sepultado ao lado dos pais e da irmã em sua cidade natal, no interior de SP: 'Nunca abandonou a família'". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  50. ^ "Brasil sentirá falta de seu talento, diz Lula sobre Léo Batista". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  51. ^ "Lula lamenta morte de Léo Batista: "ícone do jornalismo brasileiro"". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  52. ^ "Cidade natal de Léo Batista, Cordeirópolis decreta luto oficial e lembra início da carreira do jornalista como locutor em coreto". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  53. ^ "Jogos dos estaduais terão minuto de silêncio em homenagem a Léo Batista". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 19, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  54. ^ a b "O Prefeito Eduardo Paes, Romário e a CBF também enviaram coroas de flores para o velório de Léo Batista. - Foto". Pure People. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  55. ^ Simon, Allan (July 13, 2024). "Allan Simon: Nova série do sportv conta como Léo Batista foi pioneiro do esporte na TV". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  56. ^ a b Bergamo, Monica (May 19, 2024). "Mônica Bergamo: SporTV exibirá série inédita sobre a trajetória de Léo Batista". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  57. ^ Coletti, Caio (June 5, 2024). "Léo Batista, A Voz Marcante | Série sobre o apresentador ganha trailer; veja". Omelete (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  58. ^ Costa, Giulia (May 31, 2024). "Galvão Bueno grava documentário do SporTV sobre Léo Batista". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
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