Actor JULIAN ORTEGA dies at 41 after collapsing on beach

Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 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 has not 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.”