Francisco San Martin, a Spanish actor recognized for his portrayal of Dario Hernandez in the acclaimed soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” took his own life at his residence in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his cause of death as ligature hanging. He was 39 years old.
A native of Mallorca, Spain, San Martin’s journey into acting began when his family relocated to Montana, and he got involved in children’s theater productions. As a teenager, he moved back to Spain and made a name for himself in Madrid’s entertainment industry, appearing in numerous stage plays and television series before venturing into the United States.
San Martin’s U.S. television debut was in “Days of Our Lives,” where he initially played a minor character who succumbs to a virus. This brief stint opened up a more significant role when he was later cast as Dario Hernandez.
He first emerged on “Days of Our Lives” as a small-time thief, later revealed to be an investigator delving into a cold case. His character’s intricate development displayed his acting versatility and solidified his standing in daytime television. Jordi Vilasuso later reprised the role of Dario Hernandez in 2016-2017, introducing a new interpretation of the character.
After leaving “Days of Our Lives,” San Martin diversified his career into the film industry, landing a part in the prestigious HBO movie “Behind the Candelabra” in 2013. The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh and featuring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, allowed San Martin to share screen space with award-winning actors and constituted his most significant movie appearance.
In 2017, San Martin reappeared on television with two prominent roles. He featured in 16 episodes of “The Bold and the Beautiful” as Mateo, a central character in a significant storyline. That same year, he joined “Jane the Virgin” on The CW, starring alongside Gina Rodriguez. He played Fabian Regalo del Cielo, a telenovela actor who attracts the protagonist’s attention with his charm, contributing to the show’s blend of humor and drama. His stint in “Jane the Virgin” marked one of his most memorable television roles.
Apart from acting, San Martin nurtured a passion for photography, adding another creative facet to his professional life. His last on-screen appearance was in a short film titled “Dot.”
Camila Banus, who played San Martin’s television sister Gabi in “Days of Our Lives,” paid tribute on Instagram: “Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend. Love you mucho mucho mucho. I wish I had told you more.”
