Actress Verónica Echegui has died at the age of 42, DailyMail reports.
The Spanish star Verónica Echegui was hospitalised in Madrid and died on Sunday after privately battling cancer, local press have reported.
Appearing in over 30 films and TV shows over an 18 year career, Verónica Echegui was known for her 2008 role in My Prisoner’s Yard (2008), directed by Belén Macías and produced by Pedro Almodóvar
Her breakout film I am Juani (2006) meanwhile catapulted her to fame in Spanish cinema.
Alongside her success in her native Spain, she made her Hollywood foray in 2013 with a part in The Cold Light Of Day alongside Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis.
She also shared the screen with British talents Noel Fielding and Richard Ayoade in 2009 film Bunny And The Bull.
Then in 2022 she appeared alongside Sam Claflin in the Prime Video bilingual rom-com Book of Love.
She played a prominent role in the series Fortitude, an Amazon Prime production set in the Arctic Circle.
Her last appearance on screen was in the Apple TV+ series Love You To Death, filmed in August 2023 and released earlier this year.
The rom com tells the story of the cautious Raúl (Joan Amargós), who reconnects with newly pregnant childhood friend Marta (Echegui) following his heart cancer diagnosis.
In interviews earlier this year to promote the release, Echegui spoke about the impact of illness on loved ones, in relation to the series’ plot.
‘The series asks many questions about death and life, because it’s impossible to talk about death without talking about life and how you live it,’ explained the actress.
‘I think the people who love you are the only ones who have the courage to say to you: ‘Have you considered whether this is right? Are you happy like this or not?”
Born in Madrid in 1983 Echegui made her television debut with small roles in the series A New Life and Paco and Veva after abandoning her Sociology studies to train at the Royal School of Dramatic Art.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was among those to pay tribute, taking to social media to highlight her ‘immense talent and humility.’
‘I was deeply shocked by the news of Verónica Echegui’s passing, an actress with enormous talent and humility who leaves us far too young. My sincere embrace in these such difficult moments for the entire family and friends,’ Sanchez wrote.
Antonio Banderas also remembered the actress, posting on X: ‘Today, Spanish cinema is in mourning due to the passing of Verónica Echegui.
‘My condolences to her family and friends.’
The Spanish Actors and Actresses Union also issued a tribute, celebrating her contribution to cinema.