The entertainment world was saddened in January 2025 by the death of actor Francisco San Martin at the age of 39.
Known to television audiences for his work on Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Jane the Virgin, San Martin built a career that took him from childhood theater to American television. His passing brought tributes from colleagues and fans who remembered his work and the warmth he brought to the screen.
According to records from the Los Angeles County medical examiner, San Martin died on January 16, 2025, at his Los Angeles home, and his manner of death was ruled suicide.
From Mallorca to Montana and Beyond
San Martin was born in Mallorca, Spain, in 1985 and spent part of his childhood in Montana. His early connection with performance began at a young age through children’s theater.
His family later returned to Spain, where San Martin continued developing his interest in entertainment. As a teenager, he worked as a model and began taking acting lessons, eventually appearing in stage productions, television projects, and films in Spain.
His journey eventually brought him back to the United States, where he pursued opportunities in Hollywood.
The path was not necessarily a conventional one, but each experience helped build the foundation for the career that would introduce him to audiences around the world.
Becoming Dario Hernandez on Days of Our Lives
One of San Martin’s most recognizable roles came on NBC’s long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives.
In 2011, he originated the character Dario Hernandez, appearing in the series for approximately six months. His character arrived in Salem with a mysterious background and became involved in one of the show’s storylines.
For daytime television viewers, the role established San Martin as a recognizable presence and gave him an opportunity to work alongside a large ensemble of established performers.
The character later returned to the series with another actor taking over the role, but San Martin remained associated with Dario Hernandez among fans who remembered his original portrayal.
His Work on The Bold and the Beautiful
San Martin continued his connection with daytime television in 2017 when he joined CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful.
He played Mateo, a staff member at Forrester Manor who became involved in one of the show’s dramatic storylines.
Although the role was relatively brief, it added another major daytime television credit to his résumé and allowed him to reach another established soap-opera audience.
His work demonstrated the versatility required of actors working in television, where performers often have to adapt quickly to demanding schedules and changing storylines.
A Memorable Appearance on Jane the Virgin
That same year, San Martin appeared on Jane the Virgin, the popular series starring Gina Rodriguez.
He played Fabian Regalo del Cielo, a character connected to the show’s fictional world of television and entertainment. The role gave him an opportunity to work in a different style from the traditional daytime soap format.
For viewers who discovered him through Jane the Virgin, Fabian became another memorable part of his television career.
Together, his roles across these programs demonstrated the range of opportunities he had built during a relatively short professional career.
A Career That Extended Beyond Television
San Martin’s work was not limited to television.
His credits also included the 2013 film Behind the Candelabra, as well as earlier stage and screen work in Spain.
His career may have been relatively brief compared with some of the industry’s longest-established performers, but he experienced several important milestones along the way.
From children’s theater to international television productions, his journey reflected a long-standing interest in acting and performance.
Tributes From Those Who Knew Him
Following news of his death, former colleagues and friends shared memories of San Martin.
Camila Banus, his Days of Our Lives co-star, posted an emotional tribute on social media, remembering him as a friend and expressing regret that she had not told him more often how much she cared. Her tribute helped illustrate that his passing affected not only viewers but also people who had worked closely with him.
Tributes from colleagues can offer a different perspective on an actor’s career. Instead of focusing only on credits and television appearances, they remind audiences that performers are also friends, coworkers, and members of communities.
Remembering the Person Behind the Characters
Entertainment coverage naturally focuses on the roles an actor played.
But a career is more than a list of television credits.
San Martin spent years developing his craft, beginning with performances at a young age and eventually appearing in productions that reached audiences across the United States and beyond.
For many viewers, his characters will remain the most familiar part of his legacy.
Dario Hernandez, Mateo, and Fabian were fictional characters, but the performances that brought them to life came from a real person who dedicated much of his life to acting.
The Importance of Compassion
News of a death by suicide can raise difficult questions, but it is important to avoid speculation about someone’s private circumstances.
A person’s death does not provide outsiders with a complete understanding of what they may have experienced privately. Responsible coverage should focus on confirmed information while respecting the dignity of the individual and those who knew them.
It is also important to remember that suicide can affect families, friends, colleagues, and communities in profound ways.
Anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide or feeling unable to cope should seek professional support or contact an appropriate crisis service in their country.
A Legacy Through Performance
Francisco San Martin’s career lasted only a limited number of years, but he left behind performances that remain available to audiences.
For fans of Days of Our Lives, he will be remembered as the original Dario Hernandez. Viewers of The Bold and the Beautiful may remember his portrayal of Mateo, while Jane the Virgin fans may associate him with Fabian.
Those characters represent different chapters of the same career.
His story also serves as a reminder that an actor’s impact is not measured solely by the length of a career. Sometimes a relatively small number of roles can leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Final Thoughts
Francisco San Martin’s death at 39 brought an unexpected end to a career that had taken him from childhood theater to American television.
His journey across Spain, Montana, and Hollywood reflected a lifelong connection with performance and storytelling. Through Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Jane the Virgin, he became part of several television worlds that continue to be remembered by their audiences.
While his life ended far earlier than many would have expected, his work remains part of the television history he helped create.
For those who watched him perform, and for colleagues who knew him personally, remembering Francisco San Martin means looking beyond the circumstances of his death and recognizing the career, talent, and relationships that shaped his life.
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