Gerardo Taracena
Biography
Gerardo Taracena (January 1 1970 – January 31 2026) was a Mexican film, theatre and dance performer born in Mexico City. He worked extensively as an actor, accumulating dozens of screen credits. His international profile includes appearances in Apocalypto, Man on Fire, The Mexican and Sin Nombre, and he portrayed a character in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico. In Mexican cinema he featured in the 2011 film Saving Private Perez alongside Jaime Camil. At the time of his death he was 56 years old. Taracena’s career spanned film, television and stage work, establishing him as a notable figure in contemporary Mexican acting.
Career overview
Gerardo Taracena was a Mexican actor and dancer born on 1 January 1970 in Mexico City. His career spanned film, television and theatre, and he accumulated more than seventy credited performances. Taracena gained international recognition through supporting roles in several high‑profile movies, including Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, Tony Scott’s Man on Fire, The Mexican and Sin Nombre. In addition to his work in cinema, he appeared in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, a role that contributed to his visibility on streaming platforms.
Within the Mexican film industry, Taracena continued to work on domestic productions. In 2011 he was cast in the Mexican‑language war drama Saving Private Perez, sharing the screen with fellow actor Jaime Camil. Throughout his career he was noted for his versatility, moving between dramatic film roles, television series and stage work, while also maintaining a background in dance. Taracena’s professional activity was recorded in at least seventy‑eight credited performances across various media. He died on 31 January 2026 at the age of 56, as confirmed by the Mexican Academy of Film Art and Sciences. His body of work remains a testament to his contributions to Mexican and international screen acting.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
78 titles- Falcons (2026) as Buitre
- Cóyotl, Hero and Beast (2025) as El Tule
- Prison Cell 211 (2025) as Cándara
- Unburied (2025) as Raúl
- Camino a Arcadia (2025) as Sebastián Vidal
- Quite Like Paradise (2024) as Justino Nava
- Sound of Freedom (2023) as El Alacrán
- Chupa (2023) as Police Officer
- Sobreviviendo mis XV (2023) as Melchor
- Héroes (2023) as Capitán Alvarado
- From Inside (2023) as Juan Infante
- Harina (2022) as Teniente Ramos
- Presencias (2022) as Don Jaime
- Pedal to Metal (2022) as Abel
- For Old Times' Sake (2022) as Luciano
- El Candidato (2020) as El Cocodrilo
- Influence (2019)
- The Marquez-Castillo Siblings (2019) as Líder Rebeldes
- Narcos: Mexico (2018) as Pablo Acosta
- Tres milagros (2018) as Julián Cruz
- At the Frontera (2018) as Eduardo Manrique
- Las amantes del narco II (2018) as Don Chava
- El Día de la Unión (2018) as Rescatista 1
- Waiting For Gordo (2018)
- Tratante de blancas (2018) as Reportero
- Snail House (2017) as Hombre
- La hora de Salvador Romero (2017) as Teodoro
- Zhai (2017) as Cesar
- Queen of the South (2016) as Cesar “Batman” Guemes
- 40 y 20 (2016) as Macedonio
- Perseguidos (2016) as Gustavo 'Tavo' Benítez
- Number Eighty (2016)
- Don't Blame the Kid (2016) as Plutarco
- The Load (2016) as Itzmin
- Boys on Film 14: Worlds Collide (2016) as Juan / Raúl's Father (segment "A World For Raúl")
- El vecindario 3 (2016) as Ajolote
- La Niña De La Mina (2016) as Carlos
- A Shred Of Mist (2014) as Perito
- Mexican Gangster (2014) as Raymundo
- Princesas de cartón (2014) as Felipe
- Die Legende der Maske (2014) as Bo
- Familia Gang (2014)
- Ramona (2014) as Carmelo
- Deseo (2013) as Marino
- Potosí (2013) as Javier
- Richness of Internal Space (2013) as Tenso
- Tlatelolco, Summer of 68' (2013) as Militar 1 Tortura
- The children of Don Gregorio (2013) as Roberto
- Flying low (2013) as Chuyin Venegas
- Para armar un helicóptero (2013)
- Get the Gringo (2012) as Romero
- El Buchon (2012)
- Come Out and Play (2012)
- Los Kokainos (2012) as Lic. Quintero
- The Walls Talk (2012) as El Ojaiz
- 4 Maras (2012)
- A World for Raúl (2012) as Juan / Raúl's Father
- Ladies Mafia (2011) as Rualas
- Saving Private Pérez (2011) as Carmelo
- Setback (2011) as Mario
- Niño Santo (2011) as Santiago
- El Infierno (2010) as Pancho Zopilote
- Sanguinarios del M1 (2010) as Junco Pantoja
- Chilango Chronicles (2010)
- Sin Nombre (2009) as Horacio
- El último chichiluco (2009) as Mazatzin
- The Zone (2007) as Carlos
- Apocalypto (2006) as Middle Eye
- The Violin (2005) as Genaro
- Man on Fire (2004) as Executive Adjutant
- The Mexican (2001) as Reveler to Fire Gun
- De ida y vuelta (2001)
- Without a Trace (2001) as Niko
- A Trickle of Blood (1995) as Voceador
- The Daughter of the Puma (1994) as Mateo Pérez Pérez
- Podcast, rapaces nocturnos as Fulgencio
- La Ramona
- Lunik 3
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gerardo Taracena best known for?
Gerardo Taracena is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Halcones (2026), Love and Sin (1956), Sound of Freedom (2023), Chupa (2023).
When and where was Gerardo Taracena born?
Gerardo Taracena was born on January 1, 1970 in Mexico City, Mexico. They passed away on January 31, 2026.
How many credits does Gerardo Taracena have?
Gerardo Taracena has accumulated over 78 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1994 to 2026.
What is Gerardo Taracena's background in cinema and television?
Gerardo Taracena (January 1 1970 – January 31 2026) was a Mexican film, theatre and dance performer born in Mexico City. He worked extensively as an actor, accumulating dozens of screen credits. His international profile includes appearances in Apocalypto, Man on Fire, The Mexican and Sin Nombre, and he portrayed a cha...