The Mexican-American actor Adan Canto, known for his roles in the series Designated Survivor and The Cleaning Lady, tragically died Monday, Jan. 8, at the age of 42, according to Deadline. Canto died of appendiceal cancer, a disease he had been privately battling.
Canto was born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, and grew up in Texas. While he is remembered mainly for his acting career, Canto began his career in entertainment in music. At 16, he left his home in Texas to move to Mexico City to pursue a career as a singer and guitarist, wrote Deadline.
According to Deadline, Canto’s breakout role as an actor was in The Following, a Fox drama series by Kevin Williamson(Scream, The Vampire Diaries, Dawson’s Creek). Following this career success, Canto worked on feature films like X-Men: Days of Future Past and shows like Designated Survivor, Blood & Oil, Narcos, Second Chance, Mixology, and most recently, The Cleaning Lady.
An outpouring of love and adoration for Canto has occurred on social media following the public announcement of his passing as reported by Deadline. Co-stars like Kiefer Sutherland (A Few Good Men, Stand by Me, The Lost Boys), Maggie Q (The Protégé, Nikita, Naked Weapon), LaMonica Garrett (1883, Designated Survivor, Primal), and Sean Lew (The Cleaning Lady, Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off, Penguins of Madagascar) have posted on their Instagram accounts about their devastation at the news.
Sutherland said: “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 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. I am also heartbroken for his wife, Steph and his two young children. Adan, may you rest in peace.”
Warner Bros. TV also paid tribute to the actor with a statement. “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Adan Canto. 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. Most recently, he lit up the screen in The Cleaning Lady with a powerful performance that showcased his artistry, range, depth and vulnerability. This is an unfathomable loss, and we grieve alongside his wife Stephanie, their children and loved ones. We will miss Adan dearly.”
Canto leaves behind his wife, Stephanie Ann Canto, and their two young children.