Spider-Man: No Way Home actress Mary Rivera dies
By William Muthama, August 4, 2026Mary Egida Rivera, the actress who played Ned Leeds’ grandmother in Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, has died at the age of 82, according to a report by TMZ published on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Rivera passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii. TMZ reported that she suffered a stroke before being placed on life support.
A family member told the outlet that doctors warned her condition was extremely serious and that even if she regained consciousness, her chances of recovery were poor.
Her family later made the difficult decision to remove her from life support, and Rivera passed away on April 15, 2026.
Rivera’s memorable Marvel role
Born on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, Rivera gained international recognition for her role as Ned Leeds’ grandmother, affectionately known as “Lola,” in the 2021 Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Although her appearance was brief, Rivera’s scene became one of the film’s most memorable moments. In the movie, Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man enters Ned’s home through a portal, shocking the family.
Rivera’s character then speaks in Tagalog and asks him to clean the cobwebs on the ceiling while he is there, with Ned translating her request.
The scene highlighted Rivera’s Filipino heritage and became a favourite among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Rivera’s family said she was proud to represent the Filipino community in the global blockbuster. They revealed that they encouraged her to audition for the role, which later became one of the greatest highlights of her acting career.
Her appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home allowed her to showcase Filipino culture and language to a worldwide audience, earning appreciation from fans and members of the Filipino community.
Following news of her death, tributes were shared in honour of Rivera, with fans remembering her warmth and the cultural representation she brought to the film.
Loved ones praised her for portraying Ned’s grandmother with grace and pride, while celebrating her contribution to Filipino visibility in Hollywood.
Beyond her acting career, Rivera was remembered as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Alejandro Rivera, four children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.