The world of Mexican telenovelas bid farewell on Tuesday to Otto Sirgo Haller, a Cuban-born actor who built an impressive career over more than fifty years in Mexican television, theater, and film.
Sirgo passed away on September 29 at the age of 79, as confirmed by the National Association of Actors (ANDA) and the National Association of Interpreters (ANDI). He was remembered for his roles in productions such as "Lazos de Amor," "Rosa Salvaje," and "Niña Amada Mía."
His daughter, Valerie Sirgo, disclosed on Wednesday that the actor had been hospitalized for several days before deciding to return home, where he ultimately passed away.
"My dad was already tired, and his heart gave out a bit. He spent some days in the hospital; he decided to go back home, he was fine, and then... he rested," she explained to Mexican media.
The family has not provided a specific medical diagnosis, making Valerie's statement the most detailed information available about the cause of his death. She also mentioned that her father never fully recovered emotionally from the passing of his wife, actress Maleni Morales, who died in 2020.
Valerie expressed, "I definitely know he never got over my mom's loss; he missed her a lot."
Prensa Danna, the agency representing the actor, mourned his death, noting that his departure leaves "an irreparable void in the artistic world and in the hearts of those who had the privilege to know him, work alongside him, and admire his immense talent, human quality, and career."
A Cuban Making His Life in Mexico
Otto Sirgo Haller was born on December 19, 1946, in Havana, into a family deeply connected to the entertainment world. His father, Otto Sirgo Prieto, was a Cuban actor; his mother, Magda Haller, a Mexican actress; and his maternal grandmother, Conchita Gentil Arcos, was a renowned actress in Mexico's Golden Age cinema.
Although born in Cuba and spending some of his early years on the island, he developed nearly his entire personal and professional life in Mexico. In an interview with Mara Patricia Castañeda, Sirgo reflected on his identity, saying, "I have a Cuban father, a Mexican mother, I was born over there, but I've been Mexican my whole life. My papers, my nationality is here."
Sirgo recounted that after spending several childhood years in Cuba, he returned to Mexico and never went back to the island where he was born.
His journey to acting wasn't direct. He initially studied Electrical Engineering at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) but dropped out after the first year. He later pursued a degree in Tourism Business Administration, graduating in 1968. In interviews, he shared that acting was always his dream, even though his family encouraged him to finish a university degree first. That same year, he began working professionally in commercials while seeking opportunities as an actor and model. His early film work included "La Maestra Inolvidable" (1969), and on television, he appeared in "Honor y Orgullo," one of the first titles in a career that would span over 50 telenovelas.
Half a Century in Front of the Cameras
Over the decades, Sirgo became a familiar face in Mexican melodramas. His television filmography included titles such as "Los Ricos También Lloran," "Rosa Salvaje," "Alcanzar una Estrella II," "Lazos de Amor," "Por un Beso," "Niña Amada Mía," "Sortilegio," "Por Ella Soy Eva," "Lo Que la Vida Me Robó," "Tres Veces Ana," "Falsa Identidad," and "Vencer el Pasado."
Two of these roles earned him major accolades in his career. In 1992, he won the TVyNovelas Award for "Alcanzar una Estrella II," where he portrayed Alejandro Loredo. Four years later, he received the same award, this time for Best Supporting Actor in "Lazos de Amor."
In this latter production, led by Lucero, he played Eduardo Rivas, the uncle of the triplets central to the story. Sirgo himself cited "Lazos de Amor" and "Rosa Salvaje" as productions he held dear.
His association with Televisa lasted 51 years, with an exclusive contract from the 1970s until 2017. After this period, he joined other actors in creating Talento Libre, a collective that sought new professional opportunities for actors who had lost exclusive contracts with the network.
However, Sirgo's work wasn't limited to acting in front of the camera. He also built a career as a stage director, with credits in productions like "Dos Mujeres en mi Casa," "Agujetas de Color de Rosa," "El Alma No Tiene Color," and episodes of "Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real." In theater, he participated in over 30 productions, with "P.D. Tu Gato Ha Muerto," which he directed and starred in, being one of his most memorable works.
Working Until the Very End
In his later years, Sirgo publicly acknowledged a balance issue that began limiting some professional activities. In 2025, he shared that he had been treated by two doctors and had to decline a theater role because he didn't feel confident performing certain physical scenes.
Despite this, he continued acting. His last appearance in a telenovela was in "Doménica Montero" in 2025, where he made a special appearance as Judge Benítez. His final released work was the series "El Precio de la Fama," an original ViX production that premiered on the platform on May 29, 2026.
In this thriller, Sirgo played Eugenio Urrutia, sharing the screen with Eréndira Ibarra, Andrés Palacios, Chantal Andere, Mane de la Parra, Alejandra Barros, among others. The project premiered just four months before his death.
His Final Wish: Return to Popocatépetl
Otto Sirgo's remains were cremated, and his family is now working to fulfill a unique final wish.
Valerie Sirgo revealed that her father wished for his ashes to be scattered over the Popocatépetl volcano, a place he felt a special fascination for. His idea was for his children to rent a helicopter and release them from the air.
Fulfilling this wish literally proves challenging, Valerie acknowledged, so the family is considering approaching the volcano by land to deposit his ashes there.
Sirgo had practiced hiking in his youth and held particular admiration for Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. According to Valerie, he would often gaze at the volcanoes during his commutes to the Televisa San Ángel facilities.
If fulfilled, it would be the final connection with Mexico for an actor born in Havana who made that country his home and the stage for virtually his entire career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Otto Sirgo
Who was Otto Sirgo?
Otto Sirgo was a Cuban-born actor who became a prominent figure in Mexican television, theater, and film, particularly known for his roles in telenovelas.
What are some of Otto Sirgo's most notable works?
Some of Otto Sirgo's most notable works include "Lazos de Amor," "Rosa Salvaje," "Niña Amada Mía," and "Alcanzar una Estrella II."
What was Otto Sirgo's final wish?
Otto Sirgo's final wish was for his ashes to be scattered over the Popocatépetl volcano, a place he admired greatly.