Jamie Bartlett, renowned as South Africa’s legendary on-screen villain David Genaro, has passed away.
This article has been updated with information on Bartlett’s confirmed cause of death – Thursday 26 May 2022
Jamie Bartlett dies: What’s the cause of death?
As reported by News24, Bartlett’s partner Rosa Onious confirmed the veteran actor died in his sleep of cardiac arrest.
“We got the autopsy results, and they said it was cardiac arrest,” she said.
According to Rosa, Bartlett took an afternoon nap on Monday, 23 May 2022 and when it was time to wake him up at approximately 17:00, he did not budge.
After numerous attempts to wake the actor up, Rosa and her mother contacted emergency medical officials and they arrived within 15 minutes.
“They tried everything to rescusitate him, CPR, everything, but it was too late,” Rosa added.
Bartlett, at the time of his death, was 55 years old. He is survived by his partner Rosa, and his son Hector, whom he shares with fellow actor Camilla Waldman.
Jamie Bartlett biography
Born on 9 July 1966, Bartlett was a British-born South African actor and revered thespian. Information is scarce on his early life growing up in Maidenhead, a market town situated at the heart of Berkshire county.
However, we do know that Bartlett’s on-screen debut came in 1987 when he played a support role on the Sam Firstenberg-directed American Ninja 2: The Confrontation.
This experience came a year after he had won a Vita Award for Most Promising Actor for his works in theatre.
Bartlett’s on-screen career was on the upswing in the early 90s. He starred in top-draw movies like:
- Sweet n Short (1991)
- American Ninja V (1993)
- Ernest Goes To Africa (1997)
However, his stardom rose prominently when in 1997, he surfaced as the ultimate villain in the SABC 3 soapie Isidingo, Mike O’Riley.
Bartlett received critical acclaim for his portrayal of O’Riley. The character was killed off the script in 1999.
Eight years would pass before South Africa’s telenovela was treated to another legendary villainous character. This time, in 2007, Bartlett portrayed David Genaro on Rhythm City, a soapie -drama that aired on eTV.
Bartlett funeral details
At this time, Bartlett’s family has yet to inform the public about the legendary actor’s funeral plans. We will update this article with new information as soon as it surfaces. In the meantime, here are some of the reactions to Bartlett’s death.
What destroys me the most is how we didn’t give this man Jamie Bartlett his flowers whilst he was still alive . That’s where we as South Africans fumble : failing to give out flowers . I’m shattered for real . REST IN PEACE GENARO❤️.
— AKA ❼ (@akaworldwwide) May 23, 2022
Rest in peace Jamie Bartlett, known for his role as David Genaro on Rhythm City. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans. 🙏 #RIPJamieBartlett pic.twitter.com/7ZKZwmCbbr
— Ulrich Janse van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) May 23, 2022
Let me tell you about how much South Africans loved David Genaro! Jamie Bartlett was starring in a play at the Grahamstown (Makhanda) Arts Festival called ‘Death of a Colonialist’ and I was due to interview him on my arts show which was coming from the festival…
— Khanyi Magubane (@Khanyi_Magubane) May 23, 2022
David Genaro. What a villain. I grew up watching Jamie Bartlett on TV. Condolences to the Bartlett family. #RIPJamieBartlett 💔🙏🕊 pic.twitter.com/M05zBrhItB
— Nkanyezi (@NkanyeziKubheka) May 23, 2022
We just lost one of the best actors South Africa ever had..R.I.P to Jamie Bartlett aka David Genaro pic.twitter.com/pfs5qYEW42
— ☮ VOID BOURGEOISIE 47 🚷 (@VOIDBOURGEOISIE) May 23, 2022
