Mary Rivera, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Actress, Dies at 82

Mary Rivera, the actress who played the grandmother of Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), has died at the age of 82.

Her family told TMZ that Rivera suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. Doctors said that even if she regained consciousness, her prognosis would be poor. Her family decided to remove her from life support. She died on April 15 and was later cremated.

Rivera landed the role after her daughter, Angie Kelly, saw a Facebook casting call for a local Hawaiʻi Filipina grandmother. Kelly encouraged her mother to audition, where Rivera spoke about her life in the Philippines, moving to the United States, and raising her family.

Born in the Philippines, Rivera worked as a church missionary and also served as a radio broadcaster and teacher before acting. According to her daughter, she considered being a mother and grandmother her greatest achievement.

Rivera is survived by her husband, Alejandro Rivera, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her family said she was very proud of being part of the Spider-Man film series.