Rabat – Mary Rivera, the actress who won over Marvel fans with her brief but memorable role as Ned Leeds’ grandmother in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” has died at the age of 82.
According to her family, Rivera passed away peacefully on April 15, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Entertainment outlet TMZ later reported that her death followed a stroke after she had been placed on life support.
Although her appearance in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” lasted only a few scenes, Rivera became a fan favorite.
Playing the grandmother of Ned Leeds, portrayed by Jacob Batalon, she delivered one of the film’s most memorable comedic moments when she calmly asked Spider-Man to clean the cobwebs from her ceiling after Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker unexpectedly appeared through a magical portal.
Following news of her passing, fans flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, remembering not only her warmth on screen but also the cultural significance of seeing a Filipino grandmother represented in one of Marvel’s biggest films.
Many praised Rivera for proudly embracing her heritage and bringing authenticity to a role that resonated with audiences around the world.
Born on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, Rivera was especially proud of portraying a Filipino grandmother in a major Hollywood blockbuster.
Her family said the opportunity came after relatives encouraged her to audition for the role, which ultimately became the most widely recognized performance of her career.
Released in 2021, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” became a global box office phenomenon by bringing together Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield as three generations of Spider-Man in a multiverse adventure.
Rivera shared the screen with a star-studded cast that also included Zendaya, Jamie Foxx, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
