Spanish actress Verónica Echegui has died at the age of 42.
According to Variety and the Spanish news outlet El País, Echegui passed away on Sunday at Madrid’s 12 de Octubre University Hospital, where she had been receiving cancer treatment.
Reports indicate that only her close friends and family were aware of her illness and hospitalization.
In the 2015 Sky thriller Fortitude, Echegui played Elena Ledesma for two seasons, starring alongside Stanley Tucci, Dennis Quaid, and Michael Gambon.
Verónica Echegui attended the Yo No Soy Esa photo call at the 2024 Málaga Film Festival.
In 2017, Echegui starred in the hit Netflix series Apaches before joining the FX drama Trust in 2018, acting alongside Donald Sutherland and Hilary Swank.
Her final credited role was in the rom-com series Love You to Death, which premiered in February.
Since news of her passing, fellow actors and fans have shared tributes honoring Echegui’s life and career.
Antonio Banderas shared an Instagram photo of Echegui kissing an award, writing: “Today, Spanish cinema mourns the passing of Verónica Echegui. My condolences to her family and friends. #RIP @veronicaechegui.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also paid tribute, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “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 to her family and friends during these difficult times.”
Echegui first landed her big break in 2006’s “My Name Is Juani.” The film was directed by Bigas Luna, who has been credited for jump-starting Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s careers.
“My Name Is Juani” followed Juani (Echegui) and her best friend as they move to Madrid to make something of their lives.
The comedy drama shot Echegui to stardom in her home country. The role also earned Echegui her first Spanish Academy nomination for new actor in 2007.
Echegui also received three other Goya nominations: for Best Leading Actress in My Prison Yard (2009) and Katmandu (2012), and for Best Supporting Actress in My Heart Goes Boom (2022).
Her first Goya win came in 2020 for writing, directing, and producing the live-action short Totem Loba.
In 2022, she appeared opposite Sam Claflin in the Prime Video rom-com Book of Love.
The film followed a writer (Claflin) on a book tour in Mexico and his Mexican translator (Echegui).
At the time, Variety called the project a “charming tale of opposites.”
The British actor, 39, took to social media to share his shock at his co-star’s death.
“I’m heartbroken hearing the news about the magical @veronicaechegui. F–k you cancer,” Claflin penned, per Variety.
