Netflix’s “Elite” star, Julian Ortega, has passed away at 41 after suffering a cardiac arrest on Zahora Beach in Barbate, Spain.
The incident occurred on Sunday at around 5:30 PM.
It was reported Ortega suffered cardiac arrest.
Despite efforts by paramedics to revive the actor, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident unfolded in front of beachgoers at the La Calima beach bar in Spain.
Initial reports said Julian had drowned; however, lifeguard services clarified that he suffered a cardiac arrest on the shore, the Sun reported.
Spain’s national union of actors and actresses confirmed Julian’s death in a statement:
The Union de Actores y Actrices in Spain also announced the passing of Ortega on Monday through an obituary.
“We send our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends,” the statement read.
Ortega shot to fame after portraying the manager of “La Cabana” restaurant in the Spanish drama series “Elite.”
The actor also appeared in several episodes of the show’s inaugural season.
“Elite” ran eight seasons from 2018 to 2024, concluding with its final episode on July 26.
The show quickly captivated audiences, amassing over 20 million streams on Netflix in just the first month.
Fans posted heartfelt tributes online:
“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 expressed in his tribute.
“A tremendous actor and a colleague of integrity, honesty and as good a person as his parents Gloria Muñoz and Jose Antonio Ortega,” said actor Silvia Marso.
“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.”
The massive increase in heart attacks among young, healthy individuals is now impossible to ignore and has since grabbed the attention of health professionals.
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