What Happened to Diego Dionisio Luna Alexander?

Diego Dionisio Luna Alexander, born on December 29, 1979, in Toluca, Mexico, began his acting career at a young age, influenced by his father, a renowned theater set designer. His early work included Mexican telenovelas, but his breakthrough came in 2001 with Alfonso Cuarón's critically acclaimed film "Y tu mamá también," co-starring his lifelong friend Gael García Bernal. This role propelled him onto the international stage, leading to appearances in Hollywood productions such as "Frida" (2002), "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" (2004), "The Terminal" (2004), and "Milk" (2008).

Beyond acting, Luna has established himself as a respected director and producer. He co-founded the Mexican production company Canana Films with Gael García Bernal, which has produced numerous films and documentaries. His directorial credits include the feature films "Abel" (2010), "Cesar Chavez" (2014), and "Mr. Pig" (2016). He also created and directed the Amazon Studios talk show "Pan y Circo" (2020) and the Netflix scripted series "Everything Will Be Fine" (2021), showcasing his versatility behind the camera.

A significant turning point in Luna's career was his entry into the Star Wars universe as Cassian Andor in the 2016 film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." This role cemented his status as an international star and he later reprised it in the highly successful Disney+ prequel series "Andor," which premiered in 2022 and concluded its second season in 2025. His performance in "Andor" earned him two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Drama. Prior to "Andor," Luna received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of drug trafficker Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo in the Netflix series "Narcos: Mexico" from 2018 to 2020.

The period between 2025 and 2026 has been particularly active for Luna. In February 2025, he began shooting "A Mouthful of Ash," a film he produced, directed, and co-wrote, based on a novel by Brenda Navarro. This film, retitled "Ashes" (Ceniza en la boca), premiered in the Special Screenings section at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, where it received a powerful standing ovation for its poignant exploration of migration and family. Additionally, Luna was recognized by Time magazine in 2025 as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

Looking ahead, Luna starred in the historical biopic "México 86," which was released on Netflix on June 5, 2026. He is also slated to executive produce and star in a 'The Boys: Mexico' spinoff alongside Gael García Bernal, an announcement made in 2023. These projects underscore his continued commitment to both acting and directing, solidifying his position as a multifaceted talent in contemporary cinema. As of July 2026, Luna continues to reside in Mexico City, balancing his international career with his personal life.