Mary Rivera, the actress remembered by Marvel fans as Ned Leeds’ grandmother in 2021’s blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home, has died at the age of 82, her family has confirmed.
A family member told TMZ on Monday that Rivera passed away on April 15 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
According to her family, Rivera had suffered a stroke, and doctors described her condition afterward as “extremely serious.”
Her relative said physicians also warned loved ones that even if Rivera emerged from the coma she had fallen into following the stroke, her outlook remained devastating.
After receiving the medical assessment, Rivera’s family made the difficult decision to remove her from life support.
Rivera became a memorable part of Spider-Man: No Way Home thanks to a fan-favorite scene in which she scolds Spider-Man, played by Andrew Garfield, and tells him to clean up the cobwebs while speaking Tagalog, with Ned, played by Jacob Batalon, translating for her.
Mary Rivera, best known to many viewers for playing Ned Leeds’ grandmother in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, has died at 82, her family said
Rivera’s relative told the outlet she was “extremely proud” of appearing in the Marvel film, describing the role as one of the “proudest accomplishments” of a life well lived.
In May of 2022, her daughter Angie Kelly told Hawaiʻi Public Radio about how she initially learned of the part via social media.
‘I happened to be on a friend’s Facebook scrolling,’ Kelly said, ‘and I see an ad, a casting call looking for a local Hawaiʻi Filipina grandmother between the age of 50 and 90.’
‘And immediately I thought, “Oh, well my mom qualifies and checks off all those boxes.”‘
Kelly said her mother had been hesitant at first but ultimately made a tape with the assistance of a relative and sent it to casting officials with the film.
‘They just asked her to talk about herself and why she wanted to do the role,’ she said. ‘My mom has worn many hats over the years. She was a radio broadcaster, a teacher, but most notable was her role as a mother and grandmother.’
Kelly spoke about the recognition her mother received after her appearance in the movie.
‘It’s been an amazing adventure,’ she said. ‘To us, she’s just my mom. But to the rest of the world, she’s Ned’s Lola.
Rivera’s relative said that she had been ‘extremely proud’ of her part in the film, as it had been one of the ‘proudest accomplishments’ of a ‘good life’
Fans know Rivera for famously ordering Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) to clean up the cobwebs while speaking in Tagalog, leaving Ned (Jacob Batalon) to translate her words
Rivera is survived by her husband Alejandro (pictured), four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren
‘It’s humbling really, because never before in cinematic history really has there been a place for the Filipino language and culture. They did a really good job with paying attention to the details of our culture.’
Rivera had been born in Iloilo, Philippines on June 2, 1943, to late parents Vicente and Felicia Egida, according to her obit.
A celebration of life ceremony had been held this past June 6 at Trinity Central Oahu Church in Mililani Mauka, Hawaii.
Rivera’s remains had been cremated following her passing, her family said.
She is survived by her husband Alejandro, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
