Netflix star Julián Ortega, who starred in Elite, has died at the age of 41 after reports suggested he collapsed on a beach in Spain earlier this week.
Ortega’s death was announced in a statement by Spain’s national union of actors and actresses.
The statement read: ‘Actor Julián Ortega dies at the age of 41. Rest in peace. From the Union of Actors and Actresses, our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends.’
Ortega’s cause of death hasn’t been confirmed, but it has been speculated that he died after suffering from a heart attack while on a beach in Barbate in the Province of Cádiz.
Other Spanish outlets including Diario De Sevilla have reported that the star may have drowned. Outlets confirmed that on Sunday a man was pulled out of the water at Zahora Beach in Barbate with symptoms of drowning.
The actor who hailed from Madrid, was known by UK audiences for his work on Netflix’s Elite as he appeared in six episodes of the show as the manager of the beer and burger joint La Caba.
The actor also appeared in several other shows including the Amazon Prime series Caronte (2020), Nunc Et in Hora (2010), and Spanish shows Velvet (2014) and Cristo y Rey (2023) – also known as Untameable.
Tributes to the star have begun pouring out from his former co-stars and fans, all who praise his work.
‘I am broken with pain, dear colleague… what a great actor and what a beautiful person you are, Julian Ortega… fly high, hugs to your father and mother,’ Spanish actor Fernando Tejero wrote.
Spanish actress Sílvia Marsó also added: ‘Today the profession loses an exceptional colleague, an incredible actor, and an unforgettable human being. A big, big hug to your parents
‘Gloria Muñoz, José Antonio Ortega, and all their family, friends and colleagues.
‘Always our heart, dear Julian.’
‘Thank you Julian Ortega. For teaching me when I was learning. How patient you were with me! Thank you Julian Ortega and rest in peace. I will always remember you. Thank you. What a shame life is,’ said Jose Gomez-Friha who shared a video of the pair acting together with his followers.
‘It was a great pleasure @julianortega_7 to play your father in @elpuebloserie you left us with sympathy, generosity and professionalism, many hugs friend and also to your family, a real shame in the prime of your youth, RIP Julian,’ said actor Paco Collado on X.
Director Aitana Galán also took to X to say: ‘Julian Ortega, a great actor, a great person, so young and with so many things still to do. My condolences to Gloria Muñoz and other family and friends. It’s incredible that he is no longer here. Dep.’
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