José de la Torre, star Toy Boy, Dies at 37 after battle with serious illness

Spanish actor José de la Torre, best known for his role as Iván in Netflix's Toy Boy, has tragically passed away at the age of 37. His death was announced on December 5, just months after he revealed he was battling a serious, undisclosed illness. Montilla Digital first reported the news, stating that his funeral took place the following day, December 6, at the Parish of San Francisco Solano in his hometown of Montilla, located in Córdoba Province, Spain.

While the exact cause of his death has not been confirmed, de la Torre had shared in June that he was diagnosed with a serious illness and had begun treatment. Following this announcement, he stepped back from public appearances and social media.

José de la Torre gained fame for his portrayal of Iván in Toy Boy, a Spanish thriller that aired from 2019 to 2021. The series follows a stripper who seeks to prove his innocence for a crime he did not commit and garnered a significant global audience on Netflix. Prior to Toy Boy, de la Torre made his acting debut in the Spanish police drama Serve and Protect and appeared in Vis a Vis: El Oasis and Amar es para Siempre.

Following the news of his passing, many fans and colleagues expressed their shock and sorrow on social media. Spanish singer Pablo Alborán mourned his loss on Instagram, saying, “I can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m devastated by your departure. I’m sending kisses to all of your family and friends.”

Actress Luisa Martín also paid tribute, stating, “It breaks my heart to think I’ll never hear your voice again, but I’ll keep talking to you. Love you endlessly, José.” Additionally, actress Lolita Flores honored him during his memorial service.

Born in 1987 in Montilla, de la Torre knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue acting and trained at the Higher School of Dramatic Art in Málaga. His talent shone through in various roles throughout his career, leaving a lasting impact on both fans and fellow actors alike.