Actor Mario Ernesto Sánchez, best known to British audiences for his role in Only Fools and Horses, has died at the age of 78 after a long illness.
Sánchez passed away at 3.03am this morning, according to his assistant, with confirmation first shared by South Florida newspaper Diario Las Américas.
Born in Cuba, Sánchez moved to the United States at 15 and went on to carve out a successful acting career across both stage and screen.
He appeared in both the Miami Vice film and television series, playing different roles, and was widely recognised for founding Teatro Avante—a Hispanic theatre company launched in Florida in 1979.
He also appeared in the Only Fools And Horses Christmas special, Miami Twice.
In a statement translated from Spanish, his team shared: “Mario Ernesto Sánchez died today at 3:03 am as a result of a long and painful illness.”
Sánchez had mostly stepped away from the public eye in recent years, with one of his final interviews taking place in 2021 during a conversation with Islander News.
Speaking to the outlet, Sánchez reflected on his lifelong dedication to theatre and his work with Teatro Avante, which has hosted an annual international theatre festival for more than four decades.
“The mission of the festival as well as of Teatro Avante has not changed through the years: to preserve, enhance and further develop our Hispanic cultural heritage through the production and presentation of universal theatre and educational programs,” he said at the time.
Acknowledging the work involved in running the festival each year, he added: “When you love what you do, it’s not work but enjoyment.”
Tributes have poured in from friends, collaborators and fans, with many remembering the actor not only for his on-screen presence but for his unwavering support of Hispanic culture and the arts.
The Only Fools and Horses official podcast wrote on X: “The Only Fools and Horses Podcast are sorry to hear the news of the recent passing of Mario Ernesto Sanchez who played Alberto Vasquez in ‘Miami Twice’, our thoughts are with his family & friends.”
The Only Fools and Horses Podcast are sorry to hear the news of the recent passing of Mario Ernesto Sanchez who played Alberto Vasquez in “Miami Twice”, our thoughts are with his family & friends pic.twitter.com/iOp9sexm6m
— OnlyFoolsandHorsesPodcast (@podonlyfools) April 13, 2025
Actress Verónica Abruza also expressed her condolences on social media: “Sad news. Goodbye Mario Ernesto Sánchez. My condolences to his beloved children, family, and friends.
“I will always remember how kind you were upon my arrival in Miami; your attention, your chivalry. May your soul unite with the source of light and love.”
Miami Art Promotion wrote a statement: “The outstanding actor and director of Cuban origin, Mario Ernesto Sánchez, dies in Miami.
“His tireless work in the Cuban exile theatre, since his early arrival in the United States, has earned him the valuable work of Teatro Avante, a group he founded, as well as the Miami International Hispanic Theater Festival, with almost 40 years of experience.
“Peace to his remains and condolences to his loved ones and friends. It also serves as a well-deserved tribute to his extensive career.”
