Netflix actor, 41, dies suddenly on beach

Fellow actors have shared tributes after a star who appeared in multiple series, including Netflix’s Elite, collapsed and died on a Spanish beach.

Actor Julian Ortega has died suddenly after suffering an incident on a beach in Spain.

The actor, who starred in the hit Netflix series Elite, collapsed on Zahora Beach in Barbate, on the south coast near Cadiz, at around 5.30pm on Sunday.

The incident occurred in front of onlookers at the La Calima beach bar, reports the US Sun.

While Ortega was initially reported to have drowned, lifeguards have now confirmed that he was on the shore when he went into cardiac arrest.

The 41-year-old Spanish actor was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics attempted to revive him for a half-hour.

Hit Netflix actor Julian Ortega, 41, died on a beach in Spain. Picture: Instagram.

He appeared in six episodes of Spanish teen drama series Elite as the manager of the restaurant La Cabaña.

Elite received positive recognition and praise from critics. Its debut season attracted over 20 million streams on Netflix within the first month of its release.

Spanish language teen drama Elite has been a hit across the globe. Picture: Netflix.

Oretga’s death was announced in a statement by Spain’s national union of actors.

“From the Union de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends,” it read.

Fellow actors have shared tributes for Ortega.

“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 wrote.

“A tremendous actor and a colleague of integrity, honesty and as good a person as his parents Gloria Muñoz and Jose Antonio Ortega,” actor Silvia Marso said.

Oretga starred in multiple Spanish series. Picture: Instagram.

Oretga has been described as a “beautiful person”. Picture: Instagram.

“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,” she added.

Ortega, who was from Madrid, was mostly recognised for his roles in Nunc Et in Hora, Caronte, and Elite.

The actor also starred in several well-known Spanish TV series, including Velvet, Cristo y Rey and El Pueblo.

He last appeared in seven episodes of the television show 4 Estrellas in 2023.

Ortega’s mother, Gloria Munoz, and father, Jose Antonio Ortega, are both actors.

This story first appeared in the US Sun and is reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Netflix actor, 41, dies suddenly on beach