We have sad news to report today as Mexican-American actor Adan Canto has passed away at the age of 42. It's said he died yesterday, January 8, following a private battle with appendiceal cancer.
Many of you will know him best for playing fan-favourite mutant Sunspot in X-Men: Days of Future Past. While his role in the movie was a relatively minor one, it resonated with Marvel Comics fans and there was a fair bit of disappointment online when Henry Zaga replaced him as a younger version of the hero in The New Mutants.
Outside of his X-Men work, Canto most recently starred in FOX's The Cleaning Lady. He was the show's male lead but was unable to take part in shooting for season 3 when cameras started rolling last month due to ill health. He had, however, planned to rejoin the cast later in the season.
Canto was also known for his work in Designated Survivor and had a memorable turn in Narcos. On the film side, the actor had major roles in 2 Hearts, Halle Berry's Bruised, and Agent Game.
"Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew. Those who glimpsed it were changed forever," Canto's reps at UTA, Entertainment360 and Viewpoint said in a brief statement today. "He will be greatly missed by so many."
Canto leaves behind his wife, best friend and creative partner Stephanie Ann Canto, and their two young children, Roman Alder, 3½ years of age, and Eve Josephine, 1½.
"We were able to get a meeting with the casting directors and read for the roles," he said of playing X-Men: Days of Future Past's Sunspot in 2014. "When I found out that I got the role it was amazing. It was exciting. I’ve always been a fan of the movies."
"I had a stunt double but I didn’t want to go and just stand on the sidelines. After 5 minutes, I was like 'No, please let me.' It was a new experience, but it took me back to when I was 7 years old just going all out," Canto continued. "I’m a pretty physical guy and do a lot of outdoors sports so fortunately I was in shape."
"Learning from all these great actors was amazing and at the premiere, you really get the extent of how big this movie is and the appreciation that fans have for the world of X-Men."
Our thoughts go out to his friends and family at this difficult time.