“Elite” actor Julián Ortega died Sunday after collapsing on a beach in Spain. He was 41.
Ortega was initially believed to have drowned, but authorities later clarified that he went into cardiac arrest on Zahora beach in Barbate, according to Spanish news outlet the Olive Press.
Paramedics reportedly attempted for 30 minutes to revive Ortega in front of onlookers at the La Calima beach bar before he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ortega starred as Encargado in six episodes of Netflix’s hit teen drama “Elite,” per IMDb.
He also had acting credits in “Caronte,” “Nunc Et in Hora,” “Untameable” and “The Countryside.”
After the news of Ortega’s death broke, tributes from those close to him began pouring in.
Actor Paco Collado wrote on X (translated from Spanish), “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.”
Actress Silvia Marsó added in a post, “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.”
Actor Fernando Tejero, meanwhile, reportedly said he was “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.”