Francisco San Martin David Livingston/Getty Images
Days of Our Lives actor Francisco San Martin has died at the age of 39.
Martin, who originated the role of Dario Hernandez in the long-running NBC/Peacock soap opera, died by suicide on Thursday, January 16, per records from the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office.
According to Deadline, San Martin was born in Mallorca and played Dario for six months in 2011. The character returned in 2016, this time played by Jordi Vilasuso.
San Martin’s other credits include a role on The and the Beautiful in 2017 as groundskeeper Mateo, and an arc on Jane the Virgin as an actor in a telenovela starring Jane’s father, Rogelio. Martin’s character, Fabian Regalo del Cielo, appeared in seasons 3 and 4 and had a brief relationship with Jane, played by Gina Rodriguez.
San Martin’s Days costar Camila Banus, who played his sister, Gabi Hernandez, shared a tribute to him via Instagram, according to Forbes and Deadline. “Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend. My only witness that pau sang happy birthday to me in the middle of a concert in Hollywood, you couldn’t believe it. Love you mucho mucho mucho; I wish I had told you more,” she shared.
Per Forbes, San Martin was born in Mallorca but raised in Montana. As a teenager, he and his family moved to Madrid, where he got his break as a model and actor.
Days of Our Lives marks its record 60th anniversary in 2025, with past stars including Peter Reckell (Bo Brady) and Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) returning to the show to celebrate. “I was thrilled to be invited to return,” Sweeney told TV Insider in August 2024. “I love playing Sami and I am always happy for the chance to come back. We always have to figure out scheduling and such, but if at all possible, I’m so glad to make it happen.”
“We always love it when members of our beloved family return to Salem,” executive producer Ken Corday told TV Insider in October. “Fans are really going to enjoy what we have in store beginning this fall and well into next year.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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