Televisa
José Rendón, the Mexican producer, writer and director behind some of Televisa's most enduring telenovelas, including the acclaimed 1993 adaptation of 'Corazón salvaje,' has died. His death was confirmed by the General Society of Writers of Mexico, known as SOGEM. His age was not immediately disclosed.
"We deeply regret the passing of our distinguished member, José Rendón. Rest in peace," the organization said in a message posted on social media.
Reports citing a statement circulated by people close to Rendón said he died Saturday, Aug. 15, after suffering a heart attack at his home in Miami. He was reportedly accompanied by his wife, Rita. His family had not released details about funeral arrangements as of Sunday.
Rendón built a career that spanned writing, directing and executive production, but his name became most closely associated with 'Corazón salvaje,' the sweeping period romance starring Edith González and Eduardo Palomo.
Lamentamos Profundamente el Fallecimiento de José Rendón Productor de Corazón Salvaje Un recuerdo Siempre 🙏🏻#CesarEvora #CorazonSalvaje #Novela #Televisa #JoseRendon César Évora pic.twitter.com/xLvEi2jCga
— César Évora Fan Page (@Evora_fanpage) August 17, 2026
Based on the novel by Mexican author Caridad Bravo Adams and adapted for television by María Zarattini, the production transformed the turbulent romance between Mónica de Altamira and Juan del Diablo into one of the most successful international exports of the Mexican telenovela industry.
Originally broadcast on Televisa's Canal de las Estrellas from July 1993 to February 1994, 'Corazón salvaje' also featured Ana Colchero, Ariel López Padilla, César Évora, Enrique Lizalde, Claudia Islas and Yolanda Ventura.
The drama won best telenovela at the 1994 TVyNovelas Awards and received international recognition, including Spain's TP de Oro and Italy's Telegatto. It also helped establish Palomo as one of Latin American television's biggest stars and turned Juan del Diablo into the defining character of his career.
Rendón began his television career as a writer, collaborating with María Zarattini on productions overseen by legendary producer Ernesto Alonso. His early writing credits included 'Al rojo vivo' and 'Al final del arcoíris.'
He later moved into directing with telenovelas such as 'Bodas de odio,' 'Tú eres mi destino,' 'Tú o nadie' and 'De pura sangre.' His work on the 1985 production 'De pura sangre,' starring Christian Bach and Humberto Zurita, earned him the TVyNovelas Award for best director.
Há 31 anos, estreava #LaPaloma, trágica novela de José Rendon. O que era uma aposta para lançar o promissor Gerardo Hemmer em protagonismo terminou rapidamente quando o ator foi assassinado brutalmente e a novela finalizada poucos dias depois sem final, totalizando somente 50… pic.twitter.com/PdhZfAQrmt
— Febre Latina 🌡️ 🇧🇷🇲🇽 (@FebreLatina) August 14, 2026
Rendón was also the creator, writer and director of 'El camino secreto,' the 1986 Televisa drama starring Daniela Romo and Salvador Pineda. Its theme song, 'De mí enamórate,' was written by Juan Gabriel and performed by Romo, becoming a hit beyond the telenovela itself.
Beginning in 1989, Rendón took control of his own projects as an executive producer. His credits from that period included 'El cristal empañado,' 'Balada por un amor,' 'Sueño de amor,' 'La paloma,' 'Morir dos veces' and 'La jaula de oro.'
He was initially involved in the production of 'Tres mujeres,' which premiered in 1999, before Roberto Hernández Vázquez took over the project. Rendón later worked at TV Azteca during the early stages of 'Golpe bajo.'
José Rendón participó como coautor en obras como:🔸#ElCaminoSecreto (1986)(con María Zarattini)🔸#AlRojoVivo (1980)🔸#AlFinaldelArcoiris (1982)(con Ximena Suárez)🔸#LaPaloma (1995)🔸#MorirdosVeces (1996) pic.twitter.com/yEKzzJFMdG
— detlnovelas 🌎 (@detlnovelas1) August 17, 2026
He eventually returned to Televisa, directing episodes of 'Duelo de pasiones' and working as a writer on 'La verdad oculta' and 'Amar sin límites.'
Rendón's death marks the loss of another prominent figure from the generation that helped turn Mexican telenovelas into a global television phenomenon. His legacy remains particularly visible in 'Corazón salvaje,' which continues to find audiences through reruns and digital platforms more than three decades after its original premiere.
© {{Year}} Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
