Actor Mario Ernesto Sánchez, who appeared in Solely Fools and Horses and Miami Vice, has died aged 78 following a “lengthy and painful sickness”.
The Cuban star died within the early hours of Thursday morning (10 April) after succumbing to ongoing well being points, his agent confirmed in a short assertion.
“Mario Ernesto Sánchez died right now at 3.03am because of an extended and painful sickness,” he informed the South Florida newspaper, Diario Las Américas.
Sánchez was born in San Antonio de las Vegas, Cuba in 1947. He travelled to America at 15 throughout Operation Pedro Pan, the place mother and father despatched 14,000 kids from Fidel Castro’s Cuba to Miami within the Nineteen Sixties.
In 1979, Sánchez based the Hispanic theatre, Teatro Avante, in Florida and went on to look in Hollywood movies, together with Invasion USA in 1985 and The Specialist in 1994.
The actor appeared in 5 episodes of Miami Vice as quite a lot of minor characters, together with a limousine driver. He additionally appeared within the 2006 Miami Vice movie.
Sánchez additionally featured within the Solely Fools and Horses two-part Christmas Particular “Miami Twice”, which aired in December 1991.
Most just lately, the actor appeared within the TV collection Jammerz in 2022. Earlier than that, he starred within the HBO remake of Father of the Bride.
Tributes to the properly revered actor had been rapidly shared on-line. “Might your soul unite with the supply of sunshine and love,” Miami Artwork Promotion wrote in a press release shared on its social media accounts.
“The excellent actor and director of Cuban origin Mario Ernesto Sánchez dies in Miami. His tireless work within the Cuban exile theatre, since his early arrival in the US, has earned him the dear work of Teatro Avante, a gaggle he based, in addition to the Miami Worldwide Hispanic Theatre Pageant, with nearly 40 years of expertise,” the assertion continued.
“Peace to his stays and condolences to his family members and associates. It additionally serves as a well-deserved tribute to his in depth profession.”
In 2014, Sánchez was awarded the Legacy Award in Los Angeles for “excellent people whose lifelong dedication to Latino Theater in the US and Latin America can have a long-lasting affect on the sphere”.
In his acceptance speech, Sánchez stated: “[It means] that now we have carried out lots however now we have much more to do. That’s all it means. I’m humbled by it however on the identical time I’m very proud.”
He added: “However I at all times really feel we haven’t carried out sufficient. We nonetheless must create extra curiosity within the residents of Miami for theatre. That’s what we’re nonetheless missing.
“Don’t misunderstand me, I’m pleased we’re getting this award and it belongs to all people who has helped Teatro Avante and the Worldwide Hispanic Theatre,” he continued. “However I’ve to be trustworthy. I believe there may be extra to be carried out.”
Sánchez concluded: “Miami is my house. So, I keep and battle, battle for what I imagine and what I imagine is nice for town. So, no matter it takes, for so long as it takes, I imagine in theatre.”
Actress Verónica Abruza stated of his demise: “Unhappy information. Goodbye Mario Ernesto Sánchez. My condolences to his beloved kids, household and associates.
“I’ll at all times keep in mind how sort you had been upon my arrival in Miami; your consideration, your chivalry. Might your soul unite with the supply of sunshine and love.”
