MEXICO CITY - Mexican television and movie actor Julio Aleman, who starred in the first telenovela ever produced in the country, died Wednesday. He was 78.

Mr. Aleman had been fighting lung cancer since early 2000 and was admitted to a Mexico City hospital on Monday with an infection, according to Televisa, his broadcast employer.

Considered a pioneer in the telenovela industry, Mr. Aleman also starred in movies and served as a state representative. His last telenovela was produced only two years ago.

He had six children and married three times, including twice with the same woman. He leaves nine grandchildren.

Mr. Aleman was born on Nov. 29, 1933, in the western Mexican city of Morelia.