Netflix’s Elite star Julian Ortega dead at 41 after collapsing on beach as colleagues share heartbreaking tributes
ACTOR Julian Ortega has died suddenly after suffering an incident on a beach in Spain.
The actor, who starred in the hit Netflix series Elite, collapsed on Zahora Beach in Barbate, Spain, at around 5:30 pm on Sunday.
The incident occurred in front of onlookers at the La Calima beach bar.
While Julian was initially reported to have drowned, lifeguard services that he was on the shore when he went into cardiac arrest.
The 41-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics attempted to revive him for a half hour.
Julian's death was announced in a statement by Spain's national union of actors and actresses.
"From the Unión de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actor's family and friends," it read.
'BROKEN WITH PAIN'
Fellow actors have shared tributes for Julian since hearing news of his passing.
“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.
“My friend @lauracepedagolferichs just called me to give me the bad news that Julian Ortega Rodriguez has passed away, a tremendous actor and a colleague of integrity, honesty and as good a person as his parents Gloria Muñoz and Jose Antonio Ortega," actress Silvia Marso said.
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“I can’t even imagine how these parents, colleagues, so beloved in the profession, are. How horrible… I can’t take it in. Absolute sadness," she added.
JULIAN'S CAREER
Julian, who was from Madrid, was mostly recognized for his roles in Nunc Et in Hora, Caronte, and Elite.
Elite received positive recognition and praise from critics.
Its debut season attracted over 20 million streams on Netflix within the first month of its release.
Julian Ortega's Roles
- 2008 - La Señora (Cristóbal)
- 2012-2014 - La Que Se Avecina (Regidor)
- 2015-2016 - Cuéntame Cómo Pasó (Agent Salvador)
- 2018 - Elite (La Cabaña Manager)
- 2023 - Cristo y Rey (Jesús Mariñas)
- 2023 - Sentimos Las Molestias (Rafael Müller Joven)
- 2023 - El Pueblo (Pirulín)
- 2023 - 4 Estrellas (Ángel)
Julian appeared in six episodes of the hit series as the manager of the restaurant La Cabaña.
The actor also starred in several well-known Spanish TV series, including Velvet, Cristo y Rey, El Pueblo, and Élite.
He last appeared in seven episodes of the television show 4 Estrellas in 2023.
Julian's mother, Gloria Munoz, and father, Jose Antonio Ortega, are both actors as well.