Filipino-American actress, who played Ned Leeds’ grandmother in Marvel blockbuster, died after suffering a stroke.
Filipino-American actress Mary Rivera, best known for portraying Ned Leeds’ grandmother in Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, has died at the age of 82 following complications from a stroke, according to her family.
Although Rivera passed away on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaii, news of her death became public on August 3 after her family confirmed the details to entertainment outlet TMZ.
According to her obituary, Rivera suffered a severe stroke that left her in critical condition before she was placed on life support. Family members said doctors warned that even if she regained consciousness, her long-term prognosis would remain poor.
Faced with the difficult medical outlook, Rivera’s family decided to withdraw life support.
She is survived by her husband, Alejandro, her children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Her obituary also announced that a celebration of her life was scheduled for June 6, 2026, at Trinity Central Oahu Church in the Mililani Tech Park, Honolulu.
Born Mary Egida Rivera on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, Rivera later moved to the United States and built her life in Hawaii. Before entering the entertainment industry, she worked as a teacher, radio broadcaster and church missionary.
Rivera gained international recognition for her role as Lola, the grandmother of Ned Leeds, in the 2021 Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home. Although her screen time was limited, her performance resonated with audiences and became a memorable part of the film.
According to her obituary, Rivera was “very proud” to portray a Filipino grandmother in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sharing the screen with stars including Tom Holland, Zendaya, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Jamie Foxx.
Her appearance in the blockbuster marked the pinnacle of her acting career and served as an important moment for Filipino representation in one of Hollywood’s biggest film franchises.