Francisco San Martin was born on August 27, 1985 in Mallorca, Spain, though he spent part of his childhood in Montana, USA.
As a teenager, he returned to Spain — working as a model and participating in small local film/theatre productions while studying acting.
At age 25, he moved to Hollywood, aiming to build an acting career in the United States.
San Martin is perhaps best known for originating the role of Dario Hernandez on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives — a character he portrayed in 2011 for roughly six months.
In 2017, he appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful as Mateo, a groundskeeper at Forrester Manor — a storyline in which his character was involved in one of the show’s dramatic arcs.
Additionally, he had a role on Jane the Virgin, portraying Fabian Regalo del Cielo — an actor within the show’s internal telenovela, appearing in Seasons 3 and 4.
His career also included small film appearances, for example in the biopic Behind the Candelabra.
On January 16, 2025, Francisco San Martin was found dead at his residence in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled his death a suicide by “ligature hanging.”
He was 39 years old at the time of his death.
News of his passing sent shock through the television community and among fans.
Tributes poured in from former co-stars, colleagues, and supporters, many of whom remembered him not only for his talent, but for his kindness, warmth, and generosity behind the scenes.
One noted example: his former “Days of Our Lives” co-star Camila Banus shared a heartfelt message, expressing love and grief, and lamenting she wished she had told him more before he died.
Over his relatively brief U.S. television career, San Martin distinguished himself with roles that often demanded emotional depth and complexity. Through his characters — whether flawed, vulnerable, or morally ambiguous — he brought sincerity and humanity to daytime drama. This resonated with many fans who appreciated a more grounded, realistic style of acting.
Beyond his on-screen work, those who knew him spoke of his personality as humble, warm, and generous — qualities that made him well regarded on set and beloved by peers.
His death — sudden and tragic — reminds us of the hidden struggles that public figures (or anyone at all) can carry, regardless of outward success or charm. It underscores the need for compassion, empathy, and awareness toward mental health issues.
Francisco San Martin’s story — his rise from a modest background, his pursuit of acting across continents, and his eventual success on major U.S. television shows — illustrates a path defined by ambition, resilience, and passion. But his life and death together also highlight a harder truth: success doesn’t shield anyone from pain or inner struggle.
As fans and colleagues mourn, many remember him not only for his memorable roles but for the warmth he brought to others in real life. In that sense, his legacy goes beyond credits on IMDb or soap-opera storylines. It lives on in the human connections he fostered, the lives he touched, and the honest stories he helped tell — both on screen and off.
