Spider-Man Star Mary Rivera Dies at 82 After Stroke

Spider-Man: No Way Home actress Mary Rivera passed away at 82 after suffering a major stroke. Rivera's family shared that she had been in a coma and, after consulting with doctors, made the difficult decision to remove her from life support. She died on April 15 in Honolulu.

Rivera was celebrated for her portrayal of Ned Leeds' grandmother in the 2021 Marvel film, starring alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya. She expressed immense pride in appearing in the blockbuster, viewing it as a significant achievement and a way to bring pride to her homeland, the Philippines.

Her daughter encouraged her to audition for the role, which required a Filipina grandmother aged 50-90. Rivera's audition involved sharing her life story, from immigrating to the US to raising her family. Beyond her acting, she was a radio broadcaster and teacher, but her most cherished roles were as a mother and grandmother.

Rivera's role was particularly meaningful in representing Filipino culture on screen, featuring a memorable scene where she spoke Tagalog. She is survived by her husband, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.