Known for his work in Mexican cinema and international roles, including the James Bond film “Die Another Day,” Emilio Antonio Echevarría Noriega passed away on January 4, 2025, in Mexico City. 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 was not revealed.
Guillermo Arriaga, a screenwriter who frequently collaborated with Echevarría, described him as not just a “tremendous actor,” but also “an even better human being.”
Echevarría was born on July 3, 1944 in Mexico City. He first pursued a career in accounting after studying at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. However, at the age of 31, he switched to acting after a friend invited him to join a local theater production. This marked the beginning of his acting career, which spanned almost five decades.
He started his professional acting journey in 1978 with the Constitution of Art and Society, where he initially focused on theater. In the 1980s, he transitioned to film roles. The experience he gained from the stage laid the groundwork for his later successful performances on screen, establishing him as one of Mexico’s most adaptable character actors.
Echevarría’s career took off with his role as El Chivo, a multifaceted hitman and former guerrilla, in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Oscar-nominated drama “Amores Perros” (2000). His performance in this role brought global attention to Mexican cinema and addressed social issues such as dog fighting, which was eventually banned in Mexico in 2017.
Over his illustrious career, Echevarría was nominated three times for the Ariel Award, Mexico’s version of the Academy Awards, for his impressive performances as a supporting actor. His nominations were for his roles in “Morir en el Golfo,” “A Monster With A Thousand Heads,” and “The Chosen.” Echevarría also appeared in several episodes of the Amazon Prime Video series “Mozart In The Jungle,” introducing him to a younger audience.
In 2002, Echevarría expanded his global reach by playing the role of Raoul, a Cuban intelligence officer who assists James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in “Die Another Day.” His portrayal of the savvy Havana cigar factory manager received positive reviews and introduced him to English-speaking audiences around the world.
Echevarría’s range as an actor was further demonstrated in significant roles in Alfonso Cuarón’s coming-of-age drama “Y Tu Mamá También” and Iñárritu’s multilingual ensemble film “Babel.” In 2004, he played Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna in “The Alamo,” showcasing his ability to depict complex historical characters.
His contributions to Mexican cinema have been recognized at various film festivals and retrospectives. The Mexican Film Institute awarded him a lifetime achievement award, recognizing his role in raising the profile of Mexican cinema internationally.
He is survived by his daughter, Lourdes Echevarría, an actress in the Mexican film industry. She has earned recognition for her performances in films like “Dark Cities” and “A Mother’s Love,” continuing the family’s artistic legacy in Mexican cinema.