Who did Cindyana Santangelo play in ER? Actress dubbed “The Latin Marilyn Monroe” dies at 58

Actress Cindyana Santangelo, dubbed as the “Latin Marilyn Monroe” by rock legend Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, has passed away at the age of 58.

According to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, her death occurred on March 24, 2025, at approximately 7:15 PM, when the officials responded to a medical emergency call on Westlake Boulevard in Malibu.

A report in TMZ indicated that Santangelo recently received cosmetic shots at her home. The statement further said,

"Paramedics transported a female adult to an area hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The cause of death is undetermined, and an autopsy is pending."

According to the police, the investigation is underway, and no additional information has been received until now. No foul play has been reported, but the detectives are waiting for her autopsy to be completed.

As per her IMDb profile, she appeared in the TV series ER in Season five’s fifth episode, titled Masquerade. In the Halloween episode aired in 1998, she played the character of Angelica alongside Anthony Edwards's character, Dr. Mark Greene. Her role was less than a minute, where she seemingly played the hospital administrator dressed in a black blazer.

Her recent death has brought attention to her life and career. Here is what we know.

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All about Cindyana Santangelo’s life and career

Cindyana Santangelo was born in 1967 in New York. She was raised on the West Coast and moved to the U.K. when she was 19, where she studied acting. She also attended USC's School of Cinema and Television and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, as her bio in IMDb stated.

According to a report in Mirror, she appeared in both television and film from 1990 to 2009. She was known for her roles in shows like ER and CSI: Miami. Santangelo's CV boasts shows including The Bo-Bo and Skippy Show and Married With Children. In 2009, the actress was reportedly seen as Angelica the Dancer on an episode of The Bo-Bo and Skippy Show.

She also appeared on the big screen, alongside actors Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett, when she starred in the 2003 action-comedy Hollywood Homicide, The Sun reported.

Throughout her career, the former model is known for appearing in several music videos. Her IMDb profile stated that she was the only actress to have starred in three top-10 MTV music videos at the same time, belonging to different genres, which reflects her versatility as an artist.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, she starred in Young MC’s Bust a Move in 1989 and the legendary rock band Jane’s Addiction's hit track, Stop. She was also featured in the band’s second studio album, released in 1990, titled Ritual de lo Habitual. The band’s frontman, Perry Farrel, told Spin Magazine in 2003,

“That’s Cindy Lair at the beginning of ‘Ritual de lo Habitual.' She was the Latin Marilyn Monroe. We met her, and I thought, ‘Holy Mother, this girl is just gorgeous.”

Her last Instagram post was on March 20, 2025, where she wished her sister a happy birthday. The post read,

“Happy Birthday to my beautiful Seaster! My friendship with you is a gift, but today is extra special because it’s all about YOU! Your kindness, love, and laughter make life so much better. I’m beyond grateful to have you by my side, and I can’t wait to celebrate many more years together! Cheers to another amazing year, my Wifey for Lifey!”

Tributes have been pouring in for Cindyana Santangelo following her untimely death. Her friends and followers are expressing their condolences and celebrating her vibrant spirit during this difficult time.