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Cuban theater and television are in mourning. The actress and theater director Doris Gutiérrez, one of the most respected figures in the performing arts on the island, passed away in Havana at the age of 80, victim of cancer, as confirmed by sources close to her family.
With a career spanning over six decades, Gutiérrez left a profound impact on several generations of artists and audiences through her work on stage, her role as a director, and her memorable performances in television and film.
Born in the Jobabo sugar mill, in what is now the province of Las Tunas, she joined the National Literacy Campaign in 1961 at a very young age. A year later, she became part of the first group of 15 students in the inaugural Dramatic Arts course at the National School of Art (ENA) in Havana, where she began the training that would shape the course of her entire career.
A significant part of his professional life was spent at Teatro Estudio, one of the most influential companies in the country, where he remained for nearly three decades. In 1994, he decided to focus his career on stage directing and joined the Compañía Hubert de Blanck, further establishing himself behind the scenes as well.
As a director, she brought to the stage significant works such as "Los soles truncos," "María Estuardo," "Electra o la caída de las máscaras," "Los días felices," and "Las criadas," the latter co-directed with Mónica Guffanti.
Although she was widely recognized in the theater scene, her face gained immense popularity among the Cuban public with the telenovela "Tan lejos y tan cerca", which premiered on Cuban Television in 2022. There, she played the French character Dominique Lafont, one of the most memorable and discussed roles in the production.
His career also included forays into film with movies like "Melaza" (2012), directed by Carlos Lechuga, and "Una noche con los Rolling Stones" (2023), by Patricia Ramos.
In recognition of his extensive contribution to the performing arts, the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) awarded him the Omar Valdés Prize in 2022, the highest distinction of the Association of Performing Artists, for his body of work and dedication to theater.
Upon hearing the news, various institutions and colleagues expressed their sorrow. The platform CubaActores bid farewell with an emotional message: "Cuban art mourns the passing of a woman who dedicated her life to acting and directing, leaving an indelible mark on our culture."
For its part, the Archive of the Scenic Memory of Avileña Performing Arts also expressed its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues.
The death of Doris Gutiérrez adds to the significant losses that Cuban culture has endured in 2026. In the early months of the year, the actresses Adela Legrá, Cristina Rebull, Zelma Morales, and Concepción Ares also passed away, leaving a mourning landscape for the performing arts of the island.
"Thank you for everything, Doris. Your light will continue to shine through art," concluded CubaActores in their farewell message.
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