Photo Credit: Getty Images
Francisco San Martin, known for his memorable role as Dario Hernandez on "Days of Our Lives," has died at age 39. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirmed that San Martin passed away at his home on January 16, 2025.
Born in Mallorca on August 27, 1985, San Martin's journey to television stardom began in an unexpected place - children's theater productions in Montana. After relocating to Madrid as a teenager, he found early success in modeling before pursuing his true passion for acting, eventually appearing in Spanish stage, television, and film productions.
San Martin made his mark on American television in 2011 when he originated the role of Dario Hernandez on "Days of Our Lives." During his six-month tenure, he brought depth to what initially appeared to be a simple petty thief character, ultimately revealing Dario's true purpose in Salem as an investigator working on a cold case. The character later moved to Argentina following a job promotion.
His television career continued to flourish with notable roles on other popular series. In 2017, he joined "The Bold and the Beautiful" as Mateo, a groundskeeper at Forrester Manor who became entangled in one of the show's signature dramatic plotlines. He also charmed audiences in "Jane the Virgin," appearing in Seasons 3 and 4 as Fabian Regalo del Cielo, an actor who shared scenes with Gina Rodriguez and briefly dated her character Jane.
Former castmate Camila Banus, who played San Martin's on-screen sister Gabi in "Days of Our Lives," shared a touching tribute on Instagram: "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."
San Martin's work in television, particularly his pioneering portrayal of Dario Hernandez, leaves a lasting legacy in the daytime television community.
