Emilio Antonio Echevarría Noriega, a well-known Mexican actor famed for his role in the James Bond film “Die Another Day,” passed away on January 4, 2025, in Mexico City, Mexico. He was 80 years old at the time of his death, which was announced by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC). The cause of death remains undisclosed.
Guillermo Arriaga, a screenwriter and longtime associate of Echevarría, honored him as a “tremendous actor and an even better human being.”
Echevarría was born in Mexico City, Mexico, on July 3, 1944. His journey to acting was unconventional as he originally worked as an accountant after studying at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His acting career started at the age of 31 when he was invited by a friend to act in a local theater production, an opportunity that would spark a nearly 50-year-long career.
His acting career formally started in 1978 with the Constitution of Art and Society. Initially engaging in theater, he transitioned to film roles in the 1980s. His theater experience laid a solid foundation for his future successful screen performances, positioning him as one of Mexico’s most versatile character actors.
His breakout role came in the Oscar-nominated drama “Amores Perros” (2000) by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, where he played El Chivo, a complex hitman and ex-guerrilla. This performance brought international attention to Mexican cinema and underscored social issues such as dog fighting, which was later prohibited in Mexico in 2017.
Over his career, Echevarría received three Ariel Award nominations, the Mexican equivalent of the Oscar, for his impressive performances as a supporting actor in “Morir en el Golfo,” “A Monster With A Thousand Heads,” and “The Chosen.” He also appeared in several episodes of the Amazon Prime Video series “Mozart In The Jungle,” making him known to a new generation of viewers.
In 2002, Echevarría further broadened his global recognition by portraying Raoul, a Cuban intelligence operative assisting James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in “Die Another Day.” His role as a skilled Havana cigar factory manager was commended by critics and marked a significant point in his career, introducing him to an English-speaking audience globally.
His versatility as an actor was also displayed in significant roles in Alfonso Cuarón’s “Y Tu Mamá También” and Iñárritu’s multilingual film “Babel.” In 2004, he portrayed Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna in “The Alamo,” demonstrating his ability to depict complex historical figures.
His contributions to Mexican cinema were recognized through appearances at multiple film festivals and retrospectives. The Mexican Film Institute honored his impact on the national cinema with a lifetime achievement award, acknowledging his role in promoting Mexican films internationally.
He is survived by his daughter, Lourdes Echevarría, who continues the family’s artistic legacy in the Mexican film industry as an actress. She is known for her roles in “Dark Cities” and “A Mother’s Love.”
