Néstor Cantillana

Néstor Igor Cantillana, born on July 19, 1975 in Santiago, Chile, is a distinguished Chilean actor whose career spans theater, television and film. He grew up in Curicó under a complex religious background, initially influenced by his grandmother’s communist ideals and later by evangelical teachings, which shaped his early fascination with performance as he played piano in the local church. After studying at the theater academy of Fernando González, Cantillana began appearing on stage in 1994, debuting in productions such as Historia de la Sangre (1995) and later tackling classic roles in Calígula (1998) and Hamlet (2000). His talent quickly earned international attention, taking the same play to Montreal, Berlin and several German cities, and winning the Best Actor award at the Nuevas Tendencias Teatrales festival in 1996 for Despertar de Primavera. In 1998 he transitioned to television with his first telenovela role as Patricio Tepano in Iorana, followed by memorable characters in series like Romané and Corazón de María, where he portrayed Miguel Villa. Cantillana’s versatility allowed him to embody a wide range of personas, from an AIDS patient to a frustrated detective, showcasing his depth and commitment. His film work includes supporting roles in the Oscar‑nominated No (2012) and the Oscar‑winning A Fantastic Woman (2017), as well as starring in the comedy‑drama Radio Corazón. More recently, he has been recognized for his performances in the HBO series Prófugos and the TVN drama Los Archivos del Cardenal, which delves into the investigations of Chile’s dark past. Throughout his career, Cantillana has earned accolades such as the APES Award for Best Actor (2000) and multiple nominations, cementing his status as one of Chile’s most respected contemporary performers.