Francisco San Martin, Beloved “Days of Our Lives” Star, Dies at 39

Francisco San Martin death
Francisco San Martin at the Innovative Artists Pre-Daytime Awards Party, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - 18 Jun 2011. Photo by AFF-USA/Shutterstock (15109991b)

Francisco San Martin, a Spanish-born actor renowned for his roles in popular television series such as Days of Our Lives and Jane the Virgin, has passed away at the age of 39. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed that San Martin died by suicide at his Los Angeles residence on January 16, 2025.

Born in Mallorca, Spain, San Martin spent part of his childhood in Montana, USA, where he began acting in children’s theater productions, as noted by Forbes. He later returned to Spain, pursuing a career in modeling and further honing his acting skills. His dedication led him back to the United States, where he secured the role of Dario Hernandez on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. Portraying a complex character who evolved from a thief to an investigator, San Martin’s performance left a lasting impression on viewers during his tenure from 2010 to 2011, starring in a total of 59 episodes.

In addition to his work on Days of Our Lives, San Martin appeared in other notable television series. In 2017, he joined the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful, playing the role of Mateo, an estate manager, for 16 episodes.

That same year, he was featured in seven episodes of Jane the Virgin as Fabian Regalo del Cielo, a young telenovela star who dazzles Jane with his good looks. His film credits include a role in the 2013 biographical drama Behind the Candelabra, where he acted alongside Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, as well as his latest role in the 2022 short film Dot, directed by Tiffany Frances.

The news of San Martin’s passing has elicited heartfelt tributes from colleagues and fans alike. Camila Banus, who portrayed his sister Gabi on Days of Our Lives, expressed her sorrow on social media, stating, “Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend. Love you mucho mucho mucho. I wish I had told you more,” as reported by People.

Journalist Michael Fairman shared on X, “Very, very sad. I am a bit in shock, as I saw Francisco at my gym most every day.”

As the entertainment community mourns the loss of Francisco San Martin, his contributions to television and film are fondly remembered, and his legacy endures through the characters he brought to life on screen.

If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.