Designated Survivor Actor Adan Canto Dead at 42

Designated Survivor and The Cleaning Lady star Adan Canto has died at 42 after a private battle with appendiceal cancer.

By Sabba Rahbar Jan 10, 2024 12:45 AMTags
Watch: Adan Canto's Death: Halle Berry Pays Tribute

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Adan Canto.

The actor—most known for this roles on FOX's The Cleaning Lady and ABC's Designated Survivor—died on Jan. 8 of appendiceal cancer, his rep confirmed to E! News. He was 42.

"Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew," the rep shared. "Those who glimpsed it were changed forever."

FOX also paid tribute following his death.

"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Adan Canto," FOX said in a statement to E! News. "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.

Praising the star for his "artistry, range, depth and vulnerability" in The Cleaning Lady, the network continued, "This is an unfathomable loss, and we grieve alongside his wife Stephanie, their children and loved ones. We will miss Adan dearly."

Canto was born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico on Dec. 5, 1981. At 16, he left home to pursue a music career before turning to the stage in an adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar's All About My Mother.

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He made his debut on American television in 2013, playing the role of Paul Torres on the FOX drama series The Following.

The actor also appeared on the big screen in 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past, 2017's Amanda & Jack Go Glamping and Halle Berry's 2020 directorial debut Bruised.

Following his passing, Berry also paid tribute to the late actor.

"I don't have the words just yet," she shared in a Jan. 9 Instagram post, "but my dear sweet friend Adan just gained his wings. Forever, forever in my heart." 

FOX via Getty Images

Additionally, Canto's Designated Survivor costar Kiefer Sutherland reflected on their time together.

"It seems lately I have had to make too many posts like this one, but I am heartbroken by the loss of Adan Canto," he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair. "He was such a wonderful spirit. As an actor his desire to do well, to be great, and then do better, was truly impressive and he will be greatly missed."

Behind the scenes, Canto directed two short films: Before Tomorrow in 2014 and The Shot in 2020.

He is survived by his wife and their two children Roman Alder, 3, and Eve Josephine, 18 months.

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