Gerardo Taracena, the Mexican actor best known for his role on Narcos: Mexico, has died. He was 55.
Taracena’s death was confirmed Sunday by the Mexican Academy of Film Art and Sciences, which honored him in a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram.
They described Taracena as a “fundamental actor in Mexican cinema,” saying his on-screen presence left “an intense, honest, and profoundly human mark.” The academy extended condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, adding that his work and unforgettable face would remain part of Mexico’s cinematic memory.
The academy also recognized Taracena as a three-time Ariel Award nominee, praising his career as one marked by dedication, expressive power, and deep commitment to his craft.
Taracena was widely recognized for portraying drug smuggler Pablo Acosta on Narcos: Mexico, the Netflix series that explored the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel in the 1980s. The show ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2021 and starred Diego Luna, Michael Peña, Tenoch Huerta, Alyssa Diaz, Joaquín Cosío, Alejandro Edda, and Matt Letscher.
Beyond television, Taracena delivered one of his most memorable film performances in Mel Gibson’s 2006 epic Apocalypto. Set during the decline of the Mayan civilization, the film followed a young hunter’s desperate fight for survival and featured co-stars Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Mayra Sérbulo, and Dalia Hernández.
His film credits also included El Violin, Saving Private Perez, A World for Raúl, Sound of Freedom, and Surviving My Quinceañera. On television, he appeared in Netflix’s Pedal to Metal and the USA Network’s long-running crime drama Queen of the South.
In a 2011 interview, Taracena spoke about physically transforming for his role in Saving Private Perez, revealing he gained 20 pounds for the part before losing it again within two months. He also expressed pride in bringing what he described as a “risky” Mexican comedy to U.S. audiences.
Most recently, Taracena appeared in seven episodes of the Amazon Prime Video series Cometierra. At the time of his death, he reportedly had two projects in postproduction and two more in preproduction, according to his IMDb page.
Taracena leaves behind a legacy of powerful performances across film and television, remembered by fans and colleagues alike as an actor who brought depth, intensity, and authenticity to every role he played.