Julio Beckles, actor who shared the screen with Víctor Noriega in classic Mexican telenovelas, passes away

The Mexican television industry bids farewell to Julio Beckles, a renowned actor whose career spanned several decades in Televisa productions. The announcement of his passing was made on January 22nd through the National Association of Performers (ANDI), which issued an official statement: “The National Association of Performers announces the passing of our fellow actor Julio Beckles, remembered for his participation in various television productions. Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends.”

A legacy in Mexican television: from La antorcha encendida to Por tu amor

Julio Beckles left an indelible mark on multiple Televisa productions, especially remembered for his roles in two iconic telenovelas. His television debut occurred in 1996 with La antorcha encendida, a production set during Mexico’s Independence, directed by Ernesto Alonso and Carlos Sotomayor, featuring cast members such as Juan Ferrara, Julieta Rosen, Angélica María, and Leticia Calderón. In this series, Beckles played the character Lorenzo Foncerrada, showcasing from the start the versatility that would define his career.

A year later, in 1997, he continued with the project El alma no tiene color, where he again made his mark by appearing in an episode as Gerardo. This telenovela starred Laura Flores, Arturo Peniche, and Carlos Cámara, produced by Juan Osorio. However, it was in Rencor apasionado (1998) where Julio Beckles shared credits with well-known figures in the industry, including Víctor Noriega, solidifying his presence in major television productions of the decade. In this story, which depicted Karina (played by Natalia Esperón) experiencing an emotional crisis, Beckles portrayed Juancho, a character who shared scenes with Víctor Noriega and Eduardo Santamarina, forming a memorable acting triangle.

The big screen as the final stage

At the end of the 1990s, Julio Beckles starred in several episodes of Por tu amor (1999), which adapted the classic 1960s telenovela El Otro. In this production, he shared the screen with Gaby Spanic, Saúl Lisazo, Margarita Magaña, and Roberto Vander, under the direction of Luis Eduardo Reyes in most episodes. Although this was his last appearance as a lead actor on television, his presence left a recognizable impression on viewers of the time.

Beyond television: his full artistic facet

Beyond just telenovelas, Julio Beckles ventured into independent film with the short Brusco Despertar (2003), where he played the character of The Lover. This production offered an introspective plot about childhood escape through digital fantasy and subsequent confrontation with reality. His artistic versatility also extended into the music world, where he made memorable appearances on live programs, notably performing “Me estás desesperando” during the 1987 edition of Telethon Costa Rica—an performance preserved in audiovisual recordings of the official program to this day.

An actor whose career will remain in the collective memory

Julio Beckles’s contribution to Latin American entertainment transcends the screens he worked on. From his first role as Lorenzo Foncerrada in La antorcha encendida to his collaborations with figures like Víctor Noriega in Rencor apasionado, his career reflected the dynamism and quality of Mexican cinema and television of his time. His passing marks the end of an important chapter for those who grew up watching his productions, remembering a professional who, alongside colleagues like Víctor Noriega and the rest of the cast of those telenovelas, contributed to the richness of Hispanic-American audiovisual heritage.