Romanian actor Serban Ionescu died at 62 last night (November 21) at the Floreasca Hospital in Bucharest, after a year of suffering from an incurable disease. After being initially diagnosed with a disease caused by a tick bite, German doctors diagnosed him with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative condition also known as motor neurone disease which affects some nerve cells in the brain and spine, which control the voluntary muscles. The disease causes progressively greater difficulty in walking, talking, eating, and other fundamental functions of the body.

Ionescu had his debut in the 80s, with a memorable role in the movie 'The revolt' (Rascoala), by Romanian writer Liviu Rebreanu. His last roles were on the stage of the National Theater in Bucharest.

His death comes soon after the death of another Romanian actor from the Golden generation, Iurie Darie, who died at 83.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Cinemagia.ro)