The Mexican industry mourns the death of producer Nicandro Díaz

Surprise and sorrow swept through the audiovisual industry with the tragic news this Monday of the passing of Mexican producer Nicandro Díaz. TelevisaUnivision, his home for 38 years, wrote: “His professional trajectory leaves an indelible mark on the history of telenovelas, with great successes such as Carita de Ángel, Destilando Amor, Mañana es para Siempre, Soy tu Dueña, Amores Verdaderos, Mi Fortuna es Amarte, and Golpe de Suerte, among many others. We express our deepest condolences to his family for this irreparable loss.”

The news became a trending topic in Mexico, where artists and individuals connected to the industry bid farewell and remembered him. Major television channels and media outlets aired special programs in his memory. Producer Rosy Ocampo wrote, “With deep sadness, I mourn the passing of my dear Nicandro Díaz, undoubtedly an example as a person and colleague. His legacy in Mexican television is indelible, his warmth and great humanity will endure in our hearts. Until we meet again, friend, rest in peace.” Many artists, like Andrea Legarreta, shared testimonials highlighting Díaz’s quality and human worth.

Presenter Raúl Araiza explained that following a jet ski accident on Sunday, March 17, his spleen ruptured while he was in Cozumel. This is why blood donors were requested from his production company’s account, and efforts were made to transport him to Mexico City. José Alberto, “El Güero” Castro, also a producer at TelevisaUnivision, joined the campaign for blood donors from his Instagram account and later expressed his sorrow with a photo alongside Nicandro Díaz, “My dear Nic, we will miss you greatly!”

Actress Daniela Aedo, protagonist of Carita de Ángel, wrote on X: “It’s strange to think how, from one moment to the next, someone so important in your life story goes from being there to not being there. Quick resignation for all of us, and may Nicandro Díaz’s legacy live forever in his friends, family, and stories.”

Born in Monterrey, Nicandro Díaz was 60 years old. His last production was Golpe de Suerte.

Díaz began his entertainment career as a production assistant on melodramas by Valentín Pimstein such as Monte Calvario and Rosa Salvaje, in 1986 and 1987. He soon became a production coordinator on La Pícara Soñadora and Simplemente María. In the late 90s, at the age of 35, he debuted as an executive producer with the children’s telenovela Gotita de Amor in 1998.

In 1999, he made his first youth telenovela, Alma Rebelde. With Carita de Ángel (2000) and ¡Vivan los Niños! (2002), a remake of Carrusel, he became a well-known producer of children’s telenovelas. In 2004, he collaborated with Roberto Hernández Vázquez on Corazones al Límite. In 2005, he produced telenovelas for afternoon slots, such as Contra Viento y Marea, and entered primetime in 2007 with Destilando Amor, which, along with Gotita de Amor, Alma Rebelde, and Carita de Ángel, was one of his most successful novels. He was an executive producer on at least 16 telenovelas, and before becoming an executive producer, he held other positions in another 10. He also worked in theater production.