Only Fools and Horses and Miami Vice star Mario Ernesto Sánchez dies aged 78
The star's assistant confirmed the news.
After battling a long illness, Only Fools and Horses star Mario Ernesto Sánchez has died aged 78.
The actor, who also starred in both the film and the Miami Vice series as different characters, sadly died at 3.30am this morning, according to his assistant.
Sánchez, who was born in Cuba and moved to the United States at age 15, has had a lengthy career and founded the Teatro Avante, a Hispanic theatre, in 1979 in Florida.
In a statement translated from Spanish to English, his team said: ‘Mario Ernesto Sánchez died today at 3:03 am as a result of a long and painful illness.’
The South Florida newspaper, Diario Las Américas, first reported the star’s death before confirming with his team.
Tributes for the actor have already started to flow, with many of his former castmates and friends taking to social media to share their heartbreak.
The actor had been battling illness for a long time according to his assistant (Picture: YouTube) Sanchez moved to the US when he was just 15 years old to pursue his career (Picture: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage)The Only Fools and Horses official podcast wrote on X: ‘The Only Fools and Horses Podcast are sorry to hear the news of the recent passing of Mario Ernesto Sanchez who played Alberto Vasquez in “Miami Twice”, our thoughts are with his family & friends.’
Ramón A. Sánchez said: ‘A glory of Cuba and the theatre has left us: Mario Ernesto Sánchez. He is already with Lorca, Molière, Euripides and many more greats of the theater. Rest in peace Chachito and thank you very much for your legacy.’
Actress Verónica Abruza also expressed her condolences on social media: ‘Sad news. Goodbye Mario Ernesto Sánchez. My condolences to his beloved children, family, and friends.
‘I will always remember how kind you were upon my arrival in Miami; your attention, your chivalry. May your soul unite with the source of light and love.’
Miami Art Promotion wrote a statement: ‘The outstanding actor and director of Cuban origin, Mario Ernesto Sánchez, dies in Miami.
‘His tireless work in the Cuban exile theatre, since his early arrival in the United States, has earned him the valuable work of Teatro Avante, a group he founded, as well as the Miami International Hispanic Theater Festival, with almost 40 years of experience.
Film and theatre was a strong passion for the Cuban actor (L), who also starred in Step Up Revolution (Picture: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock) Sánchez starred in both the film version of Miami Vice and the TV series during his career, but as different characters (Picture: NBC)‘Peace to his remains and condolences to his loved ones and friends. It also serves as a well-deserved tribute to his extensive career.’
Sánchez has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent years, with one of his last interviews occurring in 2021 when he spoke to Islander News.
Discussing his work with Teatro Avante, his passion for film and, more specifically, Hispanic theatre in Miami was clear as he spoke about the theatre’s annual festival.
Speaking to the outlet, he said: ‘The mission of the festival as well as of Teatro Avante has not changed through the years: To preserve, enhance and further develop our Hispanic cultural heritage through the production and presentation of universal theatre and educational programs.’
He continued to say while it’s ‘hard work’ pulling together the festival each year, he added: ‘When you love what you do, it’s not work but enjoyment.’
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