Gerardo Taracena from a scene i n Apocalypto
Mexican actor Gerardo Taracena, best known for his role in Apocalypto, has died at the age of 55.
The death was confirmed on Sunday by the Mexican Academy of Film Arts and Sciences, which described Taracena as a “fundamental actor in Mexican cinema” whose performances left a lasting impact. No details have been released about the cause of death.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the Academy paid tribute to his career, praising his intense, honest and deeply human screen presence, and offering condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Taracena rose to international fame in 2006 after playing Middle Eye in Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. He went on to star in several acclaimed films, including El Violin, Potosí, La Carga, Saving Private Perez, Sound of Freedom and Surviving My Quinceañera.
He earned three Ariel Award nominations — Mexico’s top film honour — for El Violin, Potosí and La Carga.
The actor later gained wider recognition for portraying drug smuggler Pablo Acosta in Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico, which aired for three seasons between 2018 and 2021. He also appeared in Queen of the South and Netflix’s Pedal to the Metal.