Adan Canto dead at 42: X-Men, Designated Survivor star passes away after private battle

Actor Adan Canto – who starred in multiple film and TV series throughout his career – has died at the age of 42, his rep has confirmed.

Adan Canto has died at the age of 42. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Adan Canto has died at the age of 42 after a private battle with appendiceal cancer.

According to Variety, the actor – who starred in a number of films and TV series including The Cleaning Lady, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Netlix’s Narcos – passed away on Monday.

Canto is survived by his wife, Stephanie Ann Canto, and their two young children, Roman Alder, 3, and Eve Josephine, 1.

Canto died on Monday. Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

He is survived by his wife and two children. Picture: Instagram

“Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew. Those who glimpsed it were changed forever,” Canto’s representatives told Variety.

“He will be greatly missed by so many.”

Warner Bros. also paid tribute to the late star, describing him as a “dear friend”.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Adan Canto. A wonderful actor and dear friend, we were honored to have him as part of the Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment families since his U.S. debut in ‘The Following’ more than a decade ago,” Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment said in a joint statement.

“Most recently, he lit up the screen in The Cleaning Lady with a powerful performance that showcased his artistry, range, depth and vulnerability. This is an unfathomable loss, and we grieve alongside his wife Stephanie, their children and loved ones. We will miss Adan dearly.”

Canto had been privately battling cancer. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Canto was born in Mexico in 1981 but raised in Texas, and left home at 16 to pursue a career in the music industry.

His first major acting role came in 2013 in Kevin Williamson’s drama series The Following and was followed up by his portrayal of Vice President-elect Aaron Shore opposite Kiefer Sutherland for three seasons in Designated Survivor.

He starred in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

And also had a significant role in Designated Survivor.

Canto went on to appear in a number of productions including Narcos, where he appeared as real-life politician Rodrigo Lara Bonilla.

Since 2021, the actor has starred in The Cleaning Lady as gangster Arman Morales. His declining health reportedly prevented him from returning to the show following the end of the Hollywood strikes, but Variety reports that he’d planned to rejoin the cast later in the season.

The Cleaning Lady is now reportedly planning to pay tribute to Canto.

In recent years, he’d begun exploring filmmaking, directing his first short film in 2014 and his second in 2020.

Originally published as Adan Canto dead at 42: X-Men, Designated Survivor star passes away after private battle