"Apocalypto" Star Dies at 55 - Gerardo Taracena, Apocalypto and Narcos: Mexico star, dies at 55
Mexican actor Gerardo Taracena has died at the age of 55. Best known for his role in Apocalypto and the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, he passed away in 2026, though the cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Born in Mexico City in 1970, Taracena built a career spanning decades in film and television. His breakthrough came with Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (2006), where he played Middle Eye, a menacing hunter. Later, he took on the role of Pablo Acosta, the feared Juárez Cartel leader, in Narcos: Mexico (2018–2020).
His contributions to Mexican cinema earned him three Ariel Award nominations. However, after Narcos, his roles became less prominent. His final appearance was in the 2022 series Dale Gas, where he played Abel in nine episodes.
News of his death spread after the Mexican Academy of Film Arts posted a tribute on Instagram. They called him 'fundamental to Mexican cinema'. Fans also left messages of grief on Taracena's last Instagram post.
Taracena's death leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances, from Apocalypto to Narcos: Mexico. The Mexican film industry has lost a respected figure, though no further details about his passing have been released.
