A Netflix actor who starred in Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto has died aged 55.
Gerardo Taracena’s death was confirmed by Mexico’s actors’ union on Saturday (31 Jan).
No cause of death has been disclosed. He had shown no signs of illness publicly and no previous health issues had been reported.
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Born in Mexico City, Taracena graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s University Theatre Centre.
He began his impressive career in dance and theatre before establishing himself as a film and television actor.
Over more than three decades, he appeared in more than 50 films, including El Violín, Sin Nombre, Man on Fire, El Infierno and Salvando al Soldado Pérez.
In 2007, he won the Ariel Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in El Violín, as reported by Need To Know.
Internationally, he gained prominence for portraying the villain Middle Eye in Mel Gibson’s 2006 action-adventure film Apocalypto.
Set in the final days of the Maya civilisation, the movie follows a young hunter captured in a brutal raid who must fight to escape and return to his family.
Taracena also became a familiar face on television through series such as Narcos: Mexico and La Reina del Sur.
His final role was as antagonist Raúl in Cometierra, released on Amazon Prime in October last year.
His last Instagram post, shared in December, was a collaboration with actor Fermín Martínez, featuring a photo taken in Berlin in 2004 and tagging Netflix Latin America.
Paying tribute, the Mexican Academy of Cinema said: “His work and his unforgettable face will remain in the memory of our cinema.”
The Centro Cultural Helénico added: “His powerful acting shaped a solid career in Mexican cinema, where he brought to life characters of great intensity and strength.”
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