Veteran actress Mary Rivera, best known to Marvel fans for portraying Ned Leeds’ Filipino grandmother in Spider-Man: No Way Home, has died at the age of 82. Her family confirmed that Rivera passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaii, following complications from a stroke.
According to reports from TMZ and information shared in her obituary, Rivera had been placed in a coma after suffering the stroke. Her relatives said doctors informed them that her chances of meaningful recovery were extremely limited, and the family ultimately made the difficult decision to remove her from life support.
Mary Rivera’s memorable Marvel appearance
Although Rivera had a brief role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, her performance became one of the film’s most memorable comedic moments. She appeared as Ned Leeds’ grandmother, speaking to Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man in Tagalog while asking him to clean cobwebs from the ceiling, with Ned translating the conversation.
The scene quickly became a fan favorite following the blockbuster’s theatrical release in 2021.
Rivera was born on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, before later settling in Hawaii. According to her obituary, she spent much of her life serving as a missionary before making her appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, an accomplishment her family said she was especially proud of.
She is survived by her husband Alejandro Rivera, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life was held in Hawaii earlier this year.
Rivera’s appearance in one of Marvel Studios’ biggest films introduced her to audiences worldwide, ensuring that her warm and humorous performance will continue to be remembered by Spider-Man fans.
