Julio Oscar Mechoso died at the age of 62 from a heart attack on Saturday while at his home.
The actor was best known for appearing in TV shows like Miami Vice and Law & Order as well as movies such as 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine with Steve Carell and 2016’s Rules Don’t Apply with Warren Beatty.
His friend Andy Garcia posted a touching tribute to Facebook: ‘A sudden loss is always unjust, but in the case of Julio Oscar Mechoso, my friend, my soul mate it is greater than that, as I have lost the truest of friends.’
Gone too soon: Julio Oscar Mechoso, left, has died from a heart attack at his home at the age of 62 and his good friend Andy Garcia, right, posted a touching tribute; here they are seen in 2011
Busy guy: The actor was best known for appearing in TV shows like Miami Vice and Law & Order as well as movies such as 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine and 2016’s Rules Don’t Apply; seen in 2014
His note: On Sunday Garcia posted to Facebook: ‘A sudden loss is always unjust, but in the case of Julio Oscar Mechoso, my friend, my soul mate it is greater than that, as I have lost the truest of friends’
Good role: He appeared in 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine
He added: ‘Julio is a unique and extraordinary artist. He shared with us his deepest, most personal soul, always readily available for us to see.
‘His emotional range as an actor is unequaled.
‘His dedication to research and psychology was something to witness and admire.’
Garcia also said: ‘His charisma was uncanny.
‘Ever since we met in college he captivated me with his work, whether in his imitation of George C. Scott as Patton, or his soulful rendition of Randall in Slow Dance on a Killing Ground.’
The two worked together on the 2000 movie For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story.
He also went to TV: The star played Luis in this episode of Law & Order with Corey Stoll and Skeet Ulrich
Julio was Cuban-American and grew up in Miami and began acting in the late 1970s when he was still in his twenties.
His first movie was Guaguasi in 1983 where he played rnestico.
Next came bit parts in 1986’s Flight Of The Navigator. Police Academy 5 and Internal Affairs.
Good one: The actor, far left, on Madam Secretary with Téa Leoni, far right
In 1992 he had a part in Toys then came A Million To Juan then two years later Julio popped up in The Kiss Hello episode of Seinfeld.
After that he landed a meaty role in 1995’s Bad Boys as Detective Tuiz.
After that he made film after film. All The Pretty Horses, Jurassic Park III, Phone Booth, The Legend Of Zorri, and The Virgin Of Juarez followed.
More: In 2010 it was back to TV with The Big Bang Theory. He also worked with Selena Gomez in Wizards Of Waverly Place
In 2006 he stood out in Little Miss Sunshine as a mechanic opposite Steve Carell and Toni Collette. The film won Oscars for Best Screenplay and the gold also went to Alan Arkin.
Mechoso went on to appear in The Go-Getter and Her Best Movie.
In 2010 it was back to TV with The Big Bang Theory. He also worked with Selena Gomez in Wizards Of Waverly Place.
His last few films were Cake with Jennifer Aniston and Rules Don’t Apply with Warren Beatty.
His earlier years: The star second from right with Billy Baldwin, Joanna Pacula and Jamie Lee Curtis in Virus in 1999