Celebrated Spanish actress Verónica Echegui dies aged 42 as Antonio Banderas leads tributes
She was secretly diagnosed with cancer.
Spanish actress Verónica Echegui has died at the age of 42.
The celebrated actress, known for her roles in My Prisoner’s Yard and Katmandu Lullaby, was hospitalised in Madrid and died on Sunday after she was diagnosed with cancer, local press report.
Echegui starred in 30 films and TV shows over her 18-year career after her breakout role in I Am Juani in 2006, including starring alongside Noel Fielding and Richard Ayoade in a 2009 Mighty Boosh spin off film, Bunny and the Bull.
After appearing in 2002 Amazon Prime romantic comedy Book of Love, Echegui’s final screen role was in Apple TV+ series Love You to Death, filmed in August 2023 and released this year.
She also appeared in films such as The Cold Light of Day, Family United, You’re Killing Me Susana, Let Yourself Go, and TV shows including Intimacy, Fortutide and Trust.
Tributes have flooded social media (Picture: Mario Wurzburger/Getty Images)Echegui made her directoral debut in 2020’s Tótem loba, which won best short film at the Goya Awards in 2022.
The Mask of Zorro star Antonio Banderas paid tribute on X, writing: ‘Today, Spanish cinema is in mourning due to the passing of Verónica Echegui. My condolences to her family and friends.’
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez also penned a tribute, writing: ‘I was deeply shocked by the news of Verónica Echegui’s passing, an actress with enormous talent and humility who leaves us far too young.
‘My sincere embrace in these such difficult moments for the entire family and friends.’
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