Summary
- Mexican-American actor Adan Canto, known for his diverse range of roles, passed away at age 42 after a private battle with appendiceal cancer.
- Canto quickly established himself in Hollywood, gaining recognition for his roles in The Following and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
- In addition to acting, Canto was an emerging filmmaker and founder of Canto House Pictures. He leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Mexican-American actor Adan Canto, who became known for a diverse range of roles in Hollywood, passed away on January 8, 2024, at the age of 42, after a private battle with appendiceal cancer.
Born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, Canto was raised in Texas before leaving home at the age of 16 to follow his love of music to Mexico City. Following success with his musical career, Canto turned his hand to acting, picking up work in advertisements and local TV productions before moving on to become a hugely successful actor on both sides of the U.S. – Mexican border, most recently starring in the first two seasons of the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady.
In a statement, Fox and WBTV said:
“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.”
Adan Canto Quickly Established Himself in Hollywood
Canto’s acting career in the U.S. took off with his role in the Fox drama series The Following in 2013. He gained worldwide recognition as Sunspot in the 2014 superhero film X-Men: Days of Future Past. His versatility as an actor was evident through varied roles in series like Mixology, Blood & Oil, Second Chance, and Designated Survivor, where he played Aaron Shore. In 2019, Canto appeared in Halle Berry’s directorial debut, Bruised.
On Instagram, Canto was remembered by his Designated Survivor costar Keifer Sutherland in a heartfelt message that read:
“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.”
In addition to acting, Canto was an emerging filmmaker. He founded Canto House Pictures in 2013 and directed award-winning short films like Before Tomorrow, on the set of which he met his future wife Stephanie Lindquist, and The Shot. His last major role was in the Fox series The Cleaning Lady, where he played mobster Arman Morales for two seasons. His declining health, however, prevented him from continuing in the third season, which began filming back in December.
Away from the cameras, Canto married Lindquist in 2017, with whom he had two children, Roman Alder and Eve Josephine, who are aged only 3 ½ and 1 ½ respectively. Our thoughts are with his family at this time, and you can see some of the shocked and saddened reactions from his fans on social media.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
