In a show that thrives on heroism, heartbreak, and the brutal unpredictability of life on the front lines, few losses have hit Chicago Fire fans as hard as the death of Brian “Otis” Zvonecek in the Season 8 premiere. And no character has felt the aftershocks of that loss more deeply than Otis’ best friend — Joe Cruz.
Played by Joe Miñoso, Cruz has been at the heart of Firehouse 51’s most emotional arcs over the past decade. But it’s not just on-screen where that bond lives on. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Miñoso opened up about how the death of Otis — portrayed by Yuri Sardarov — continues to shape Cruz’s character, his storylines, and even Miñoso’s personal life years later.
“There is no Cruz without Otis,” Miñoso said. “He’s the yin to my yang.”
A Friendship Born in Fire — On and Off Screen
Miñoso and Sardarov weren’t just colleagues — they were the last two original cast members to join Chicago Fire before it aired. Thrown into firehouse boot camp together, their off-screen connection mirrored the easy camaraderie their characters would come to embody.
“Everybody had already been there a week doing firefighter training, and we came in on the last day. We had to get up to speed together, so we bonded fast — and deeply,” Miñoso recalled. “He’s one of my dearest friends. I love him. I will always love him.”
In a touching tribute to that bond, Miñoso even named his son Otis — a gesture that underscores just how lasting that connection is.
Otis’ Death Still Echoes Through Season 13
In Chicago Fire’s early years, Otis and Cruz were the beating heart of the bunkroom — brothers in arms and in humor. When Otis died during a warehouse blaze in the Season 8 opener, fans were devastated. Cruz was shattered. And though the series has moved forward, Miñoso says that Cruz never truly left that moment behind.
In Season 13, that emotional legacy is front and center again, as Cruz faces demons from even earlier in his past — specifically the decision he made in Season 1 to let gang leader Flaco die in a fire. That choice is now resurfacing, with Flaco’s cousin, Junior, confronting Cruz and threatening to unravel the life he’s built.
“He’s doing everything he can to keep the truth hidden from Severide,” Miñoso explained. “But that’s probably the dumbest thing he could do because Severide’s basically a fire cop. He lives to dig up the truth.”
Grief, Loyalty, and Brotherhood in the One Chicago Universe
What makes Otis’ death so impactful, even all these years later, is that it wasn’t done for shock value. It was a calculated — and deeply emotional — decision by showrunner Derek Haas to remind audiences of the real-life dangers firefighters face every day.
“We had pulled the football too many times,” Haas once said. “People in danger were always being saved. We needed to remind people that not everyone makes it out.”
It worked. Otis’ death still ranks among the most heartbreaking scenes in Chicago Fire history. But for Miñoso, it became a creative turning point — giving Cruz layers of trauma, resilience, and emotional depth that continue to define his journey.
More Than a Memory: A Legacy That Lives On
Sardarov may no longer be part of the active cast, but his presence is still felt. Miñoso revealed that his former co-star recently visited the Chicago Fire set, an emotional reunion that stirred up memories — and gratitude.
“He came to visit earlier this season, and it brought back so many old feelings,” Miñoso said. “Talk about nostalgia, man. He’s the best human.”
Fans agree. Cruz and Otis weren’t just fictional friends — they were a symbol of something larger: loyalty, laughter, and loss. And even as Chicago Fire continues to evolve, with new characters and challenges, that bond remains its emotional core.
“I Love Him. I Always Will.”
In an industry where cast turnover is common and character deaths can sometimes feel cheap, Joe Miñoso and Yuri Sardarov have proven that some relationships transcend scripts and screen time. Their friendship, forged in the early days of Chicago Fire, continues to shape one of the series’ most compelling characters.
And as Cruz navigates betrayal, guilt, and brotherhood in Season 13, one thing is certain: Otis is still right there beside him — in memory, in name, and in spirit.
“He’s always with me,” Miñoso said. “Always.”
