THE HAT SQUAD: "BUSSUNDA"

A comedian renowned for his imitations of footballer Ronaldo and the Brazilian president has died while covering the World Cup for a TV channel.

Claudio Besserman Vianna - known as Bussunda in Brazil's satirical series 'Casseta and Planeta Urgente' - suffered a heart attack in Munich. He was 43.

He fell ill after playing football with friends and could not be revived.

Brazil's football association issued a statement expressing sympathy from all of its national team players and staff.

It added that star striker Ronaldo had a "feeling of sadness for the death of a person he admired".

Mr Vianna had been working at the football tournament for Globo TV and found fame as an impressionist and comedy writer.

'Casseta and Planeta Urgente' offered topical humour and parodies of newsworthy events and celebrities, including the country's President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Mr Vianna is survived by his wife and a daughter.

WRITING CREDITS
"Garotas do Programa" (2000) TV Series (writer)
"Casseta & Planeta Urgente" (1994) TV Series (writer)
"TV Pirata" (1988) TV Series (writer)

ACTING CREDITS
Casseta & Planeta: A Taça do Mundo É Nossa (2003) .... Frederico Eugênio 'Wladimir Ilich Stalin Tse Tung Guevara'/Gen. Costa
Zoando na TV (1999) .... Bolão
"Casseta & Planeta Urgente" (1994) TV Series .... Various
Casseta Popular & Planeta Diário - Em Conserto (1988) (V)

[thanks to the IMDb.com & the BBC Online]

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby