‘Only Fools And Horses’ star Mario Ernesto Sánchez dies aged 78
Only Fools And Horses star Mario Ernesto Sánchez has passed away at the age of 78, it has been confirmed.
The actor played the role of a Colombian drug baron in the British comedy series, and was also well known for appearing in the Miami Vice TV series as well as its 2006 film adaptation with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.
Sánchez’s death was confirmed by his agent, who revealed in a statement that he had passed away after a long illness.
“Mario Ernesto Sánchez died today at 3:03 am as a result of a long and painful illness,” they told Diario Las Américas.
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
The Cuban actor also appeared in a number of Hollywood films across his career, including Invasion U.S.A. with Chuck Norris and The Specialist with Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone.
In recent years, he starred in the 2022 HBO reimagining of Father Of The Bride with Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan, as well as TV series Power.
Since the news of his death broke, a number of tributes have come in, with the Only Fools And Horses Podcast writing in a post 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.”
Others also shared their condolences on social media:
Your smile, your vision, your humor, your dedication. Always present. Next time our theater family meets, you will be there, in spirit. May you Rest In Power. MARIO ERNESTO SÁNCHEZ! PRESENTE! pic.twitter.com/lMj8P6fAV8
— Rosalba Rolon (@rosalbarolon) April 12, 2025
Despedimos con un fuerte aplauso a Mario Ernesto Sánchez, un inspirador y generoso promotor, referente del teatro iberoamericano.
Fundador de Teatro Avante y el Festival Internacional de Teatro Hispano de Miami, quien forjó un importante vínculo en la escena teatral mexicana. pic.twitter.com/IOEtwR0Gtg
— Teatro UNAM (@teatrounam) April 10, 2025
Adiós al fantástico Mario Ernesto Sánchez, actor cubano exiliado en Miami y un referente dentro del teatro latino en EE.UU. Chuck Norris le dio un buen repaso en INVASIÓN U.S.A., y era un elegante narcotraficante en DOS POLICÍAS REBELDES, de Michael Bay. pic.twitter.com/2KV8FJ7SsX
— Fausto Fernández (@faustianovich) April 10, 2025
He also founded the nonprofit Hispanic theatre organisation Teatro Avante in Miami in the late ’70s, which focuses on preserving Hispanic culture and theatre.
Speaking in 2021 about their work and that of the Hispanic Theater Festival, he told Islander News: “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 programmes.”
The post ‘Only Fools And Horses’ star Mario Ernesto Sánchez dies aged 78 appeared first on NME.
