Tributes paid to ‘profoundly human’ actor after death at 55

EntertainmentMovie
3 Feb 2026 • 12:54 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Mexican actor Gerardo Taracena, known for his roles in Netflix’s Narcos series and Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, has died at the age of 55.
  • His death was announced by the Mexican Academy of Film Art and Sciences, which praised his "intense, honest, and profoundly human mark" on Mexican cinema.
  • Taracena was nominated three times at the Ariel Awards, often referred to as the "Mexican Oscars," for his dedication and expressive power.
  • He gained global recognition for playing Zero Wolf in Apocalypto (2006) and drug smuggler Pablo Acosta in Narcos: Mexico (2018).
  • Fans and colleagues, including Mexico’s actors' guild and the Hellenic Culture Centre, have expressed sadness and paid tribute to his powerful acting and memorable screen presence.

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