Spider-Man: No Way Home actress Mary Rivera dies at 82

Mary Egida Rivera, the actress who won the hearts of Marvel fans with her memorable appearance as Ned Leeds’ grandmother in Spider-Man: No Way Home, has passed away at the age of 82. Her family confirmed that Rivera died peacefully on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaii, after suffering a stroke. The news became public this week after a family member shared the details with TMZ. 

Although Rivera had only a brief role in the 2021 blockbuster, her performance left a lasting impression on audiences around the world. She portrayed the loving grandmother, or “Lola,” of Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon. One of the film’s funniest scenes featured Rivera speaking Tagalog while asking Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man to clean the cobwebs from her ceiling, creating a heartfelt moment that quickly became a fan favorite. 

According to her family, Rivera suffered a stroke that left her in a coma. Doctors reportedly warned that even if she regained consciousness, her chances of meaningful recovery were extremely low. After careful consideration, her loved ones made the difficult decision to remove her from life support. She later passed away peacefully and was cremated in Honolulu. 

Born on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, Rivera later settled in Hawaii, where she built a life centered on family, education and community service. Before making her Hollywood debut, she worked as a teacher, radio broadcaster and church missionary. Her family said she was incredibly proud to represent the Filipino community in one of Marvel’s biggest films and cherished the opportunity to share the screen with stars including Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. 

Tributes have continued to pour in from fans and colleagues following the announcement of her passing. Jacob Batalon honored his on-screen grandmother with a heartfelt social media message, writing, “Rest in paradise Lola.” Many fans also praised Rivera for bringing Filipino culture and the Tagalog language to a global audience through her unforgettable scene in the film. 

Rivera is survived by her husband, Alejandro Rivera, four children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. While her acting career was brief, her warmth, authenticity and pride in her heritage made her performance truly unforgettable. Her role in Spider-Man: No Way Home remains a touching reminder that even a small part can leave a lasting legacy in the hearts of millions.