Mary Egida Rivera, the actress who brought warmth and humor to a standout scene in the Spider-Man franchise, has died at 82. Her obituary states she “passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu.” Her family shared details of her final weeks on Monday, revealing she had suffered a stroke and been placed on life support before doctors offered a grim prognosis for her recovery.
Rivera is best known for her role as Ned’s Lola — the Filipino word for grandmother — in the 2021 Sony Pictures blockbuster “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” According to her family, their encouragement prompted Rivera to audition for the role of Ned Leeds’ grandmother, which allowed her to perform in her native Tagalog and represent Filipino culture in a major Hollywood production alongside actor Jacob Batalon.
A Stroke Led to Life Support Decision
Rivera’s family said that after she suffered a stroke, she was placed on life support. Doctors informed the family they did not have a positive outlook for her recovery should she ever emerge from the coma. Confronted with this prognosis, her loved ones chose to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. She died peacefully on April 15 in Honolulu, surrounded by the love of those who had championed her late-career turn in front of the camera.
Rivera’s obituary described her as “a retired Missionary for the church” and noted that she took immense pride in her acting credit. As the remembrance stated, “She was also cast in the last Spider-Man movie, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ as the Filipino grandmother. She was very proud of this accolade.” Her family said she “lived a good life,” one marked by faith, family and a willingness to embrace new experiences even in her ninth decade.
The Scene That Captured Hearts
Rivera appeared in one of the most memorable sequences from the third chapter of the Tom Holland-led superhero franchise. In the scene, Ned and MJ attempt to reach Peter Parker through a portal but instead encounter multiple Spider-Men from different universes. When Andrew Garfield’s version arrives and proves his identity by climbing the ceiling, Rivera’s Lola calmly asks him to remove a cobweb from a corner — a comedic moment that delighted audiences globally. Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man also appears in the sequence.
Actor Tobey Maguire, who played Spider-Man in the original trilogy from the 2000s, also appears in the sequence, joining the group as the multiverse adventure unfolds. Rivera shared the scene with Batalon, Zendaya, Garfield and Maguire — a remarkable ensemble for an actress whose family had pushed her toward the audition. Her performance, though brief, left an indelible mark on the film and offered a moment of cultural authenticity that Filipino audiences especially appreciated.
Franchise Continues With Record-Breaking Success
Holland, Zendaya and Batalon returned in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which earned $932 million globally during its opening weekend — the second-biggest opening of all time, the family noted.
Rivera’s legacy extends beyond a single scene. Her portrayal of Ned’s Lola offered a rare and joyful representation of a Filipino grandmother in a mainstream superhero blockbuster. Her ability to speak Tagalog on screen — a language rarely heard in Hollywood tentpoles — made the moment especially meaningful for Filipino audiences around the world. The family’s decision to encourage her audition ultimately gave millions of viewers a character they immediately recognized, loved and saw themselves reflected in. It was a small role with an outsized impact, the kind of performance that demonstrates how even a few minutes of screen time can create a lasting cultural moment.
Rivera Is Survived by Family
According to her online obituary, Rivera leaves behind her husband Alejandro Rivera; her children Carmela Jones (Jay), Paul Rivera (Leilani), Edwin Rivera and Angela Kelly (Jaime); 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a family whose love for her was evident in the pride they took in sharing her story with the public, describing a woman who lived with faith, purpose and a quiet willingness to step into the spotlight when the moment called for it. Her family’s encouragement gave her the confidence to audition for a role that would become the capstone of a life well-lived, and her performance will continue to bring joy to audiences discovering “Spider-Man: No Way Home” for years to come.