Beloved Mexican telenovela director and actor Moisés Ortiz Urquidi dies at 58

MIAMI - The telenovela and Latino entertainment world is mourning the loss of Moisés Ortiz Urquidi, a respected filmmaker, telenovela director, and actor best known for his roles in "El señor de los cielos" y "Las Aparicio."

The news was reported by his family. Soon after, Mexico's National Association of Actors (ANDA) expressed their condolences through a heartfelt message on their official social media accounts. Then additional sad details started trickling down. Ortiz was working on his new project, a new version of the successful telenovela "Mirada de mujer," with former first lady Angélica Rivera, when he collapsed.

What happened to Moisés Ortiz Urquidi

According to different sources, including Mexican singer and actress Mariana Seoane, Ortiz Urquidi was in Mexico City, on the set at Argos Studios around 11 a.m. Friday for a meeting with the cast and crew of the telenovela when he dropped to the floor. The actors present and his team behind the camera were left in shock.

Rivera, better known as "La Gaviota" for her role in the telenovela "Destilando amor," was one of the actresses who called for help. Witnesses reported that several production team members acted swiftly, lifting Ortiz Urquidi into a vehicle to rush him to the hospital. Despite their urgent efforts, it was reported that he suffered a fatal heart attack.

According to Mexican media, Ortiz Urquidi had a history of heart problems and underwent heart surgery two years ago. This recent heart attack tragically ended his life at the age of 58.

Who was Moisés Ortiz Urquidi

Moisés Ortiz Urquidi was born in Oaxaca in 1966 and carved out a distinguished career in the Mexican film and television industry. Apart from his memorable role in "Las Aparicio," he was known for his work in "El Señor de los Cielos," "Capadocia," and "Cita en el Paraíso." His outstanding contributions to cinema were recognized in 1990 when he won the Ariel Award for Best Fiction Short Film for "Cita en el Paraíso."

Ortiz Urquidi's talents were not confined to acting alone. He also excelled in filmmaking, earning the prestigious Colón de Oro for Best Short Film at the Ibero-American Film Festival of Huelva in Spain. Additionally, he received the OCIC Award at the Guadalajara International Film Festival, further cementing his reputation as a talented and influential filmmaker.

His educational background was as impressive as his professional achievements. Ortiz Urquidi studied Cinematography at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC) in Mexico City, where he later became a respected instructor, teaching Cinematographic Montage Theory.