The renowned Cuban actor Héctor Echemendía, remembered for his performances on television, in cinema, radio, and theater, passed away at the age of 87 in Belgium, where he had spent the last years of his life surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
The sad news was confirmed this Thursday by his daughter Dannele Echemendía, who shared an emotional message on Facebook to inform family, friends, colleagues, and admirers of her father's passing.
"With deep sorrow, my brother, my family, and I share the sad news of the passing of our beloved father, Héctor Echemendía,” he wrote.
Dannele explained that she decided to use social media because it was the quickest way to communicate the loss to the many people who knew, admired, or shared some stage of the artist's life.
The actor had found a space of tranquility in Belgium with his family, especially after the passing of his wife in 2022.
He spent the last years of his life in Belgium, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and loved ones. After our mother's passing in 2022, he found in us the support and love needed to move forward," his daughter recalled.
During that period, Echemendía enjoyed family conversations and the memories of a lengthy artistic career that took him through theater stages, radio and television studios, film shoots, and tours.
However, the distance never diminished her connection to Cuba, especially to Camagüey, her hometown.
“Although he was far from his land, Cuba never stopped inhabiting him,” Dannele stated, who assured that Camagüey, where his father began to dream of art, always remained in his heart.
His daughter also recalled the ease with which the actor recounted episodes from his youth and his professional journey, infused with humor, emotion, and a special affection for the colleagues who had a significant impact on his life.
"He had a special gift for recounting every memory: he spoke with emotion, humor, and immense affection for the people who shaped his journey," he noted.
Beyond the characters he portrayed, Dannele emphasized his father's humanity and the values he passed on to his family.
“His greatest work was not on a stage, but in the way he loved his family and friends, in his generosity, in his dignity, in his humility, and in the values he imparted to us,” he wrote.
The family finds comfort in the idea that, after a life shared together, the actor is reunited with his wife, who passed away four years earlier.
“It leaves us with an impossible void to fill, but also a legacy of love, strength, and dedication that we will be proud of for a lifetime,” expressed her daughter.
Dannele expressed gratitude for the numerous displays of affection and admiration received, both from those who personally interacted with Echemendía and from those who knew him through his performances.
"It comforts us to think that he will continue to live on in his characters, in the images that remain in the history of Cuban television, cinema, and theater, but also in the memories of all those who were fortunate enough to know the man behind the actor," he affirmed.
The farewell ended with four words: “Rest in peace, Dad”.
Héctor Echemendía, an actor loved by Cubans
Héctor Benito Echemendía Ruiz de Villa was born on November 17, 1938, in Camagüey. His artistic career began connected to radio and theater, before he became one of the recognizable faces of Cuban television.
After his initial work at the station CMJA, he joined an amateur theater group led by Miguel Ponce in 1960, which professionalized the following year under the name Conjunto Dramático de Camagüey.
Subsequently, he developed an extensive career in the performing arts and at Radio Cadena Agramonte, where he participated in radio dramas, children's programs, comedy shows, and productions focused on rural themes.
One of his most memorable characters was Andrés Iznaga in the adventure series Hermanos, a performance that left a special mark among viewers of Cuban television.
He also participated in telenovelas such as Cuando el agua regresa a la tierra, Pasión y prejuicio, Entre mamparas, and Tierra brava, in addition to other television productions that solidified his popularity.
His film career included movies such as The Brigadist, The Beauty of Alhambra, Vertical Love, and Kleines Tropicana.
For his contribution to the performing arts, he received various recognitions, including the Distinction for National Culture, the ACTUAR Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2019, and the National Television Award in 2020.
A year later, Echemendía celebrated his 83rd birthday, after having overcome a coronavirus infection that had kept him under medical care months earlier.
In July 2024, it was revealed that the actor was enjoying his retirement outside of Cuba. A close friend then shared a recent photograph of Echemendía, smiling and surrounded by the affection of his family, while another post specified that he was residing in Belgium with his children.
That announcement sparked messages of affection from fans who reminisced about his performances and wished him peace during his retirement, away from the television studios and stages where he had spent much of his life.
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