Héctor Echemendía, Camagüey-born actor who played Iznaga in “Hermanos,” dies in Belgium

November 5, 2026

Cuban actor Héctor Echemendía died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Belgium, where he spent his final years with his children and grandchildren. He was 87. His daughter, Dannele Echemendía, announced the news on social media, CubaNet and Diario de Cuba reported. The family did not disclose a cause of death.

Born in Camagüey on November 17, 1938, Echemendía started out in radio as a station operator at CMJA and in 1960 joined, as an actor, the amateur troupe that a year later became the Conjunto Dramático de Camagüey. He later performed with the Conjunto Dramático de Oriente and worked at Radio Cadena Agramonte on radio drama and comedy, children's and rural programming.

After moving to Havana in 1992 he became a familiar face on Cuban television, appearing in telenovelas such as “Entre mamparas,” “Pasión y prejuicio” and “Tierra brava.” His best-known role was Iznaga in the adventure series “Hermanos.” His film credits include “El brigadista,” “La bella del Alhambra,” “Kleines Tropikana” and “Amor vertical.”

His honors included the Distinction for National Culture (1993), the ACTUAR Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) and Cuba's National Television Award in 2020. In interviews with En Vivo, the website of Cuba's radio and television institute (ICRT), he said he had devoted some 60 years of his life to acting.

Sources: CubaNet, Diario de Cuba, En Vivo (ICRT).