Tragedy struck as Julian Ortega, 41, known for his role in the hit Netflix series Elite, tragically passed away on a beach in Spain.
Ortega suffered a heart attack while on Zahora Beach in Barbate, south-west of Marbella. Alarmed beachgoers immediately called for medical attention upon noticing the actor in distress.
Despite paramedics’ valiant efforts, including 30 minutes of attempted resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator, Ortega’s life could not be saved, and the devastating turn of events took place under the gaze of a local beach bar.
Julian Ortega, a Madrid native, boasted an impressive career with appearances in Caronte (2020), Elite (2018), Nunc Et in Hora (2010), and a slew of popular Spanish TV shows like Cristo Rey and Velvet.
The national union of actors and actresses in Spain mourned the loss with a solemn statement affirming: “From the Union de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends.”, reports the Mirror.
Elite, lauded for its gripping portrayal of class disparity within an opulent high school setting, has enjoyed critical success. The series saw over 20 million views on Netflix within just a month of releasing its inaugural season.
Ortega was featured in six episodes of Elite as the beer and burger joint La Cabana’s manager, according to prominent entertainment news source NeedToKnow. The acting community, including his mother Gloria Munoz and father Jose Antonio Ortega who are both actors, have since been honouring the late star.
Tributes poured in from both co-stars and fans alike upon the death of the cherished actor. Fernando Tejero, the Goya Award-winning star, expressed his devastation: “Life can be so cruel sometimes. I’m heartbroken, dear friend. You were such a great actor and an even better person, Julian Ortega. Fly high,” with Virginia Mataix echoing this sentiment, commenting on X “A big hug to Gloria Munoz. I’m so sorry.”
Actress Silvia Marso also voiced her grief: “He was an incredible actor and a colleague who was as genuine, honest, and kind as his parents. I can’t even begin to imagine how his parents and everyone who knew him in the industry must be feeling. It’s just awful. I can’t wrap my head around it. I’m filled with absolute sadness.”