Otto Sirgo, the Cuban-born actor and director who built his career in Mexico, has died at 79. Heraldo USA reported on September 29, 2026, that he died that Tuesday. The Asociación Nacional de Actores announced the news on its official social media accounts. The union said it deeply mourns a colleague and member, and it offered condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers.At the time of writing, no details about the circumstances or cause of death have been made public. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostOtto Sirgo biography: early life, education and first rolesOtto Sirgo was born on December 19, 1946, in Havana, Cuba, according to IMDb. His full birth name was Otto Sirgo Haller. His parents were Otto Sirgo and Magda Haller.El Financiero reported that he moved to Mexico as a baby. As a child, he returned to Cuba for four years. After going back to Mexico, he never again set foot on the island. He addressed the question of his nationality in an interview with Mara Patricia Castañeda. His father was Cuban and his mother Mexican, he explained, and he had always considered himself Mexican.He also pointed to a law from 1968 that granted nationality when a foreign father had died, and the mother was Mexican.His mother helped steer him toward acting. She recommended him to film and theater producers. His career began with a cigarette commercial in the 1960s. The film "La maestra inolvidable" (1968) was his first major project, and IMDb puts his acting debut at age 22. Early television work included "El monasterio de los buitres" and "Nosotros los pelados."Read More: What is Dennis Haskins' net worth? Fortune explored after Saved by the Bell star dies at 75Otto Sirgo's telenovelas, directing work and awardsOtto Sirgo's career ran for five decades, El Financiero reported. One of his most memorable parts was Eduardo Rivas in "Lazos de amor" (1995), a telenovela starring Lucero. He also appeared in "Rosa Salvaje," "El alma no tiene color," "Por un beso," "Niña amada mía," "Un gancho al corazón" and "Sortilegio."Directing was a second line of work. He directed "Dos mujeres en mi casa," "Buscando el paraíso," "Agujetas de color de rosa" and "El alma no tiene color," per El Financiero. He also directed some episodes of "Mujer, casos de la vida real."Asociación Nacional de Actores @andactoresLINKThe National Association of Actors deeply regrets the passing of our colleague Otto Sirgo, a member of our Union. Our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Rest in Peace.The Premios TVyNovelas recognized him twice, IMDb records. He won Best Co-Star Actor in 1992 for "Reaching for a star 2" (1991), and Best Supporting Actor in 1996 for "Lazos de amor."He married Maleni Morales in 1972. The couple had two daughters, Valerie and Tania. Morales died on November 21, 2020.Read More: Martin Short to Tommy Lee Jones, celebrities who mourned loss of their child in 2026 as Chad Lowe’s daughter passes away