Elite star Julian Ortega passed away Sunday, Aug. 25. He was 41.

According to The U.S. Sun, Ortega collapsed on Zahora Beach in Barbate, Spain, Sunday evening, where lifeguards attempted to revive him for a half hour. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The outlet reports that he passed away from cardiac arrest, despite previous reports claiming he drowned.

Spain’s national actors’ union announced Ortega’s passing earlier this week. “From the Unión de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends,” their statement reads.

The Spanish actor is best known for his role in Netflix’s hit teen drama Elite, in which he played a restaurant manager. He appeared in six episodes of the series in 2018.

His other credits include Cristo y Rey,  Pueblo, and Untameable.

Ortega’s Pueblo co-star Paco Collado penned a tribute to the actor on X, writing, “It was a great pleasure @julianortega_7 to play your father in @elpuebloserie you left us with sympathy, generosity and professionalism, many hugs friend and also to your family, a real shame in the prime of your youth.”

Spanish actress Silvia Marso also shared an image of herself and Ortega, writing, “How awful.”

She praised Ortega for being “a tremendous actor and an upright, honest companion and as good a person as his parents,” Spanish actors Gloria Muñoz and José Antonio Ortega.

Ortega’s last credited role was in 2023 in seven episodes of 4 Estrellas.