Sergio De Bustamante Dies: Mexican Actor Dead At 79 From Massive Heart Attack

Sergio De Bustamante has died at the age of 79 following a massive heart attack. The Mexican actor was in the state of Puebla when he suffered the stroke that took his life away. His last work in television was in 2011 telenovela "Emperatriz" opposite Gabriela Spanic for TV Azteca. According to show biz journalist Paty Chapoy, Bustamante's wake will take place tonight at the Félix Cuevas Funeral starting at 10:30pm local time. The actors last work on the big screen was this year with "Acapulco La Vida Va." In the film he played a single man that leaves the port with a group of friends to find love. Edith Gonzalez expressed her condolences on Twitter saying: "The great actor Sergio Bustamante has died. Unforgettable as Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables.'"

De Bustamante was born on October 18, 1934 in Mexico City. Bustamante studied psychology in UNAM and found his passion for acting when he enrolled at the Escuela de Arte Teatral school. His debut in film was in "Una Golfa" in 1957 with legendary actress Silvia Pinal. He went on to appear in films like "La Sombra De Los Hijos" with Marga López and Angelia María, "Un Hombre En La Trampa," with Ignacio López Tarso, Evangelina Elizono and Kitty De Hoyos, "Todo Por Nada" with the Almada brothers, Fernando and Mario, and "En Busca De Un Muro" with Tarso, Irán Eory and Carlos López Moctezuma. In television he starred in "La Gata" (1970), "Los Miserables" (1974), "Infamia" (1981), "Buscando El Paraíso" (1993), "Agujetas De Color De Rosa" (1994), "Cuando Seas Mía" (2001) and "Noche Eterna" (2008).

Diana Bracho, who worked with him on her first TV series, 'Los Miserables', and her first stage play, "Israfel", remembers him as "one of the most gifted actors Mexico has had". The renowned actress told Latin Times that "He always supported me and believed in me. I was always grateful to him. I loved him. When he was young he was like Marlon Brando, with an incredible voice and temper."

Sergio De Bustamante also did voice-over work and one of his most notable voices was the original voice for Benny from "Top Cat," which in Spanish was named Benito Bodoque. After that, Jorge Arvizu did the voiceover. (Watch Bustamante Do The Voice Below!) He had consistent work since he made his debut as an actor and his last appearance on television was in 2011 in the Mexican adaptation of "Grey's Anatomy" titled "A Corazón Abierto." His last film role was in "Acapulco La Vida Va," which was released in his native country earlier this year. Sergio Bustamante might have left this Earth today, but his legacy in film, theatre and television will forever live on. What was your favorite telenovela or movie with Sergio Bustamante?