Ignacio López Tarso dies at the age of 98 after being hospitalized for several days

Ignacio López Tarso died On the afternoon of this March 11 at the age of 98, various Mexican media outlets confirmed, such as Televisa Espectáculos. Although his cause of death has not been revealed, the actor was hospitalized for “intestinal occlusion” and “pneumonia,” his assistant Lulú Mogollón reported to the Hoy program on the 6th of that month.

Three days later, Juan Ignacio Aranda shared with the press that his father had ” released intestinal occlusion“, but continued in ” the battle against pneumonia“.

At noon this Saturday, March 11, Aranda reported that his father was still in intermediate therapy: ” Have renal, cardiac, or pulmonary insufficiency, etc. He is semi-conscious. He can not talk. I can not eat. I put Vivaldi in the early morning. I was with him since 11 pm,” published the newspaper Milenio.

Over the past few years, the actor had various health problems. In June 2022, he was delicate due to pneumonia that he managed to overcome. Months later, in September, López Tarso confirmed through social networks that he had given positive to covid-19although he only presented some “mild symptoms,” he said.

The trajectory of Ignacio Lopez Tarso

Ignacio López López was born on January 15, 1925 in Mexico City. Due to his family’s economic problems, he was unable to continue his school studies, however, on the advice of a priest, he entered the seminary to continue studying, even though he knew that this was not his vocation, which is why he later gave up on becoming a priest. .

Before dabbling in acting, he was in the military, a denim clothing sales agent, he worked in the orange and grape farm in California, but after falling from the ladder and being severely injured in the spine, he returned to Mexico.

After being 100% recovered, in 1948, at the age of 24, he entered the Academy of Dramatic Art of the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA).

He debuted as an actor in the Autonomous Student Theater group, with which he appeared in street performances, squares and other places in the city. But his first participation in a professional way was in 1951 with the work ‘Born yesterday’.

Throughout seven decades of career, López Tarso was able to participate in 53 films, 35 soap operas, more than 30 plays, as well as several appearances on television programs.

Although he was beginning to be known in the Mexican theater and cinema, it was in 1959 when he established himself by starring in the iconic film ‘Macario’, which earned him several awards.

Ignacio López Tarso in the soap opera ‘El derecho de nacer’ from 1981.

Credit: Mezcalent

In 2021, the last film in which he participated was released, ‘Wolves are not made for the circus’.

He also dabbled in dubbing, among his latest works is the saga of the animated film ‘Hotel Transilvania’, in which he lent his voice to Vlad.

As for soap operas, Ignacio López Tarso was part of successful stories that went around the world, some of them are ‘The right to be born’, ‘Imperio de cristal’, ‘Esmeralda’, ‘Ángela’, ‘¡Viva the children!’, ‘Tomorrow is forever’, ‘The force of destiny’, ‘Indomitable Heart’, among others.

The last melodrama in which he participated was Médicos, Línea de Vida, which was produced by José Alberto Castro.

Throughout his career he was nominated and awarded on various occasions, including the Golden Gate and Ariel Awards.

Since 2016 he was a member of the United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for which he was able to cast his vote for the Oscars.

Personal life

He married Clara Aranda López in 1950, they maintained a relationship of more than half a century.

During their marriage they had three children: Susana, who is a writer; Gabriela and Juan Ignacio, who is an actor just like his father.

Ignacio López Tarso was widowed in the year 2000, due to pulmonary emphysema afflicting his wife, who was unable to stop her addiction to tobacco, the actor recounted in ‘The minute my destiny changed’ in 2019.

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Ignacio López Tarso reached 97 years of age last Saturday, January 15, surrounded only by his closest circle and without a “little party” to protect him from the new wave of covid-19 infections in Mexico.

Credit: Mezcalent

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His son, Juan Ignacio Aranda, told Reforma a day later that the legendary actor celebrated his birthday at home and without big parties because “there is a lot of contagion around” him.

Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

3/18

“There is no cake or party or party as he would like, but it is not possible, obviously due to the issue of the pandemic,” said his son, “there is a lot of Omicron everywhere. No grandson or great-grandson came, they are all confined to their homes due to flu or infections, everyone is infected”.

Credit: Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

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4/18

But Don Ignacio is desperate. With full lucidity and strength, the first actor can no longer face confinement due to the pandemic.

Credit: Mezcalent

5/18

In various interviews he has said that he regrets that he has not been able to step on stage for almost two years, something that keeps him alive.

Credit: Televisa

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His frustration is so great that the artist of classic soap operas such as ‘Senda de gloria’ (1987) assures that if this does not end and he cannot return to work, he will leave this world.

Credit: The Grosby Group

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“I need to continue doing theater,” he said in a video call with ‘Venga la alegría’ this Tuesday, January 18.

Credit: Mezcalent

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“If not, I’m going to die very soon, I’m about to (die),” he said firmly.

Credit: Mezcalent

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He said that “these two and a half years” of the pandemic are “more than enough” for him and calls for a return to a live stage or forum.

Credit: Mezcalent

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10/18

“I hope this ends now because it’s a nightmare,” he told ‘Ventaneando’ in another interview that was presented on the afternoon of Monday the 17th.

Credit: The Grosby Group

Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

11/18

“I’m anxious, it’s the first time in my life that two years have passed and I haven’t stepped on a stage!” he said, raising his voice as he had rarely been seen in a chat with any medium.

Credit: Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

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“Enough, enough, I’m fed up! I want to do theater,” he cried desperately.

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His satiety seems not to be free. Of his 97 years, 74 of them have been dedicated to his passion for acting and he has done so in film, television and theater. He is considered a bulwark of the Spanish-speaking entertainment world.

Credit: Mezcalent

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The last time he was seen on the small screen was with a participation in Médicos, Línea de Vida, released in 2019.

Credit: Mezcalent

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As for the theater, he has tried to stay active with some shows via ‘streaming’ during these years of the pandemic, but what he wants is to appear before the public live because, he assures, he is in good health to do so.

Credit: Mezcalent

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Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

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In this sense, in ‘Venga la alegría’ he clarified the rumors that he had contracted covid-19, despite the shielding that his family has done to keep him safe.

Credit: Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

17/18

“My health (is) fine, my family and those closest to me (are) fine. Except for a granddaughter that I love very much, one of my dearest granddaughters, Mariana, who is with covid,” he confirmed.

Credit: Ignacio Lopez Tarso/Facebook

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“I want to go beyond 100 (years)”, he admitted in the talk with ‘Ventaneando’, “I feel good, fortunately”.

Credit: Mezcalent