Actor Hector Alterio dies at 96

BarcelonaArgentine actor Héctor Alterio (Buenos Aires, 1929) died this Saturday at the age of 96, according to a statement released by his family and confirmed by the production company of his last show. He was known for his roles in films such as The bride's sonandThe official storyThe actor leaves behind a great cinematic and theatrical legacy that confirms him as one of the great performers of his generation. He was also the father of actors Malena and Ernesto Alterio.

"With deep sorrow, we wish to announce that this morning, December 13th, Héctor Alterio passed away. He departed peacefully after a long and fulfilling life dedicated to his family and to art, remaining professionally active until today. May he rest in peace," reads the statement released by La Paz.

Alterio began his career on the stage at a young age, and throughout his seven-decade career, he received great accolades such as the Silver Shell for Best Actor at the San Sebastián Film Festival in 1977, the Ibero-American Performing Arts Award in 1999, and the Goya Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2002.

Alterio studied drama in Buenos Aires and began working as an actor. In 1950 he founded the independent theater group Nuevo Teatro, with which he performed until 1968. He worked on several films in Argentina until 1975, when, threatened by the far-right paramilitary organization Triple A due to his left-wing political activism, he moved abroad. Despite the distance, he remained deeply committed to the plight of the victims of the Argentine dictatorship and the disappeared.

From 1975 onwards he participated in numerous Spanish productions such as To an unknown god (1977) by Jaime Chávarri, which earned him the award for best actor at the San Sebastián Festival;The crime in Cuenca (1979) by Pilar Miró;The nest(1980) by Jaime de Armiñán, nominated for an Oscar;The official story (1985) by Luis Puenzo, which won the Oscar for best foreign film;Don Juan in Hell (1991) andThe detective and death (1994); both directed by Gonzalo Suárez.

She also participated in highly popular Argentine productions such as the film The bride's son (2001) by Juan José Campanella, or Kamchatka (2002) by Marcelo Piñeyro, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

He was also an excellent stage actor and participated in dozens of productions until practically his last day. Last June, at 95 years old, Alterio returned to the stage in Madrid with the play A short story, A journey through the great story of his life, in which tango was the common thread.

Throughout the day there have been several expressions of condolence for Alterio's death. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, wrote in X that he deeply regrets "the death of an immense and beloved actor, who left an indelible mark on film, theater, and television. His talent and humanity will live on in each of his works."

Condolences have also been expressed by producer Jesús Cimarro, who worked on his last work; the Minister of Education, Pilar Alegría, as well as various personalities from the world of culture, entertainment and politics.