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Gerardo Taracena, Star of Apocalypto and Narcos: Mexico, Dies at 55

Official confirmation of the 55-year-old’s death from Mexico’s film academy triggered tributes across the arts.

Overview

  • Mexico’s actors’ union said Taracena died on Jan. 31, 2026, and the Mexican Academy of Film Art and Sciences also announced his passing.
  • No cause of death has been disclosed.
  • He earned international recognition for Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto and for portraying Pablo Acosta in Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico.
  • The Mexican Academy highlighted his three Ariel Award nominations as evidence of a career marked by dedication and expressive power.
  • Recent work included the 2025 Prime Video series Cometierra, and his IMDb listed multiple projects in post- and pre-production.