Emilio Echevarría, ‘Amores Perros’ and ‘Die Another Day’ Actor, Dies at 80

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Emilio Echevarría, the acclaimed Mexican actor best recognized for his role as the hitman ‘El Chivo’ (The Goat) in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s film Amores Perros, has sadly passed away at the age of 80.

On Saturday, it was reported by the Mexican Academy of Film Arts and Sciences that Echevarría had passed away. Further information regarding his death is yet to be disclosed.

The three-time Ariel Award nominee has also featured in two contemporary masterpieces of Mexican cinema: the road trip film “Y tu mamá también” (2001), directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón, and the intricate “Babel” (2006) by Alejandro González Iñárritu, which was nominated for the prestigious Best Picture Oscar.

Besides his roles, Echevarría appeared as the mysterious British agent Raoul, who additionally managed a Havana cigar factory in the James Bond film “Die Another Day” (2002), and portrayed Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna in John Lee Hancock’s “The Alamo” (2004).

In the psychological drama “Amores Perros” (2000), which was Iñárritu’s first major directorial venture, Echevarría made a striking impression by portraying El Chivo, a character initially presented as a homeless individual, who later in the film is unveiled as a former guerrilla fighter turned assassin.

Mexico City-born Echevarria, on July 3, 1944, pursued accounting studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Later, he worked as a numbers expert for Televisa. It wasn’t until his thirties that he switched gears and ventured into theater acting.

One time, when I was 31 years old, a friend of mine phoned me to ask if I’d be interested in participating in a play. She understood I didn’t have acting experience,” he mentioned in a 2008 interview. “I explained that my work kept me busy during the day. She informed me that rehearsals and performances took place at night. Without asking for more details, I accepted her invitation. At my first rehearsal, I realized that this was the most enjoyable call to action and occupation I could receive.

At the peak of his career, he played the role of Venustiano Carranza, a president during Mexico’s Revolution, in the 2011 historical Televisa mini-series titled “The Charm of the Eagle.

Additionally, he played the character Ignacio Rivera, Rodrigo’s mentor, who was portrayed by Gael García Bernal, in the Amazon Prime Video series “Mozart in the Jungle” during 2015-16. Notably, these actors had previously worked together on the films “Amores Perros,” “Y tu mamá también,” and “Babel.

Echevarría was awarded Mexico’s equivalent of the Oscars, known as the Ariel nominations, for his acting in the films “Dying in the Gulf” (1990), “A Monster With a Thousand Heads” (2016) and “The Chosen” (2018).

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Echevarría received Ariel nominations, which are Mexico’s version of the Oscars, for his performances in the films “Dying in the Gulf” (1990), “A Monster With a Thousand Heads” (2016) and “The Chosen” (2018).

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Echevarría has been honored with Ariel nominations, similar to Mexico’s Oscars, for his roles in the films “Dying in the Gulf” (1990), “A Monster With a Thousand Heads” (2016) and “The Chosen” (2018).

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Echevarría was bestowed with Ariel nominations, representing Mexico’s version of the Oscars, for his work in the films “Dying in the Gulf” (1990), “A Monster With a Thousand Heads” (2016) and “The Chosen” (2018).

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Echevarría received Ariel nominations, which are Mexico’s equivalent to the Oscars, for his acting in the movies “Dying in the Gulf” (1990), “A Monster With a Thousand Heads” (2016) and “The Chosen” (2018).

Survivors include his daughter, Lourdes Echevarría, an actress.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase that as:

“Regarding X, Guillermo Arriaga, the screenwriter of Amores Perros, referred to Echevarría as an exceptional actor and an even more outstanding individual. He was not just a friend, but a cherished one. I feel fortunate to have worked with him on numerous projects. He truly was a great person.

Rhett Bartlett contributed to this report.

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2025-01-06 20:54