Alert – Adan Canto dead at 42: Designated Survivor actor passes away after appendiceal cancer battle – News Alerts

Adan Canto passed away at the age of 42 on Monday.

The Mexican-American actor, who transitioned from a successful music career in Mexico to becoming a leading man in Hollywood, died following a battle with appendiceal cancer.

He was best best known for his role as Vice President-elect Aaron Shore opposite Kiefer Sutherland in Designated Survivor.

Canto most recently starred in the TV series The Cleaning Lady, playing a lead character for the first two seasons.

‘Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew. Those who glimpsed it were changed forever,’ Canto’s reps said in statement. ‘He will be greatly missed by so many.’

Adan Canto passed away at the age of 42 on Monday; seen in 2022

He was best best known for his role as Aaron Shore in Designated Survivor

Fox and WBTV – which are the network and studio behind The Cleaning Lady – also released a statement on Tuesday which read: ‘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.’

Many took to social media to pay tribute to the talented star including one who wrote on X (formally Twitter): ‘My heart goes out to everyone on The Cleaning Lady crew and his family & friends. Really loved watching him on that show and he will be missed. RIP Adan Canto.’

Another was completely devastated by the news as they said: ‘This just knocked the breath out of my body. I am STUNNED and borderline hyperventilating. F*** cancer for taking far too many greats and so young too. RIP Adan Canto. What a tremendous talent. My heart aches for his loved ones. [dove emoji]’

Yet another shared: ‘I’m so heartbroken. Adan Canto was one of my favorite actors. Fell in love with him the moment he walked on the screen as Arman Morales. Literal irreplaceable talent.’

Originally from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, and having grown up in Texas, Canto left his hometown at 16 to explore opportunities as a musician in Mexico City.

Soon after, his focus shifted towards acting when he was discovered for a significant role in the 2013 series, The Following.

Canto talked about his transition into acting in an interview with Collider back in February 2013 as he said: ‘I never said that I wanted to be an actor when I was a kid. I didn’t know. I thought I was going to be a singer and musician.

Canto is survived by his wife, Stephanie Ann Canto, and their two young children, Roman Alder, three, and Eve Josephine, one

On his last Instagram post dated June 19, 2022, he shared a snap of his beautiful family, captioning it: ‘Happy Father’s Day! I’ve been blessed with mine’

Canto celebrating with his wife, Stephanie Ann

Canto participates in the Nautica Malibu Traithalon at Zuma Beach on September 18, 2016 in Malibu, California

What is appendiceal cancer?

Appendiceal cancer is a type of cancer that grows from cells that make up the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch of tissue in the abdomen. It is part of the intestines and colon, which absorb nutrients and remove waste from the body. We do not know what the appendix does, but it may help the immune system. There are two main types of appendiceal cancer: epithelial appendiceal cancer and neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer.

Epithelial appendiceal cancer grows from cells that make up the lining of the appendix. It may also be called adenocarcinoma. These cells help make a jelly-like substance called mucin. Mucin protects the lining of the stomach, intestines, and appendix. Most epithelial appendiceal cancers can lead to a build-up of mucin, which can cause the appendix to rupture. When mucin from the appendix builds up in the abdomen, it causes a condition called pseudomyxoma peritonei, or PMP.

Mucinous neoplasms are a rare and complex type of epithelial appendiceal cancer. Depending on how the cells look under a microscope they may be low grade (LAMN) or high grade (HAMN) and may spread to other parts of the body.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix, grow from cells called enterochromaffin cells (ECs). ECs make chemicals involved in digestion and movement in the intestines. Neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix are the most common type of appendiceal cancer. They are also called carcinoid tumors.

Appendiceal cancer can spread to different parts of the abdomen directly from the appendix, usually when it ruptures. Less often, appendiceal cancer can spread through lymph nodes to areas outside the abdomen.

(Source: National Cancer Institute)

Over the last two years, Canto played the role of gangster Arman Morales opposite Élodie Yung on The Cleaning Lady

Along with Designated Survivor, the handsome star was also known for television’s Mixology and Blood & Oil

‘That’s what I had been doing, for a huge part of my life. But music, in Mexico, just wasn’t working out. So, I fell into acting and I just fell in love with it. It was amazing! It was a great safe place to just vent. And then, I found out that I could actually do this and I saw a future in it.

‘Everything I’ve always been interested in, I could apply it, in this area. So, I just fell into it, and it worked out.’

Back in January 2022 Canto discussed what it has been like transitioning his career from Mexico to the US while trying not to be typecast.

He told Observer at the time: ‘To be honest, I don’t know if I had formed a specific strategy to navigate this. I was just honest with myself and with my team the whole way through. There were obviously certain characters or scripts that I read that I immediately went like, “Of course not! No!”

Canto captioned a photo of the birth of daughter Eve (above): ‘Welcome Eve Josephine Canto ! Thank you Father for the gift of Life… And for the most precious family I could’ve ever dreamt to be worthy of’

Originally from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, and having grown up in Texas, Canto left his hometown at 16 to explore opportunities as a musician in Mexico City

His focus shifted towards acting when he was discovered for a significant role in the 2013 series, The Following

Tributes for the actor flooded social media

‘I know the Northern Mexican culture [because] I was raised in it, so I can tell when somebody is just scrambling to come up with a reality that’s far from [the actual] reality, so I honestly stuck with the honesty within myself.

‘I didn’t want to do anything that didn’t sound or feel right, and I guess I’ve been blessed with good opportunities and I fought for other opportunities that weren’t necessarily handed over to me.’

Over the last two years, Canto played the role of gangster Arman Morales opposite Élodie Yung on The Cleaning Lady.

It was reported he was set to join Season 3, despite unable to participate in filming when it commenced in December after the strikes concluded.

Back in January 2022 Canto (pictured in May 2022) discussed what it has been like transitioning his career from Mexico to the US while trying not to be typecast as he said: ‘I didn’t want to do anything that didn’t sound or feel right, and I guess I’ve been blessed with good opportunities and I fought for other opportunities that weren’t necessarily handed over to me’

In film, Canto is likely most recognized for his portrayal of Sunspot in X-Men: Days of Future Past in 2014

Stepping behind the camera, Canto directed his initial short film in 2014 and followed it up with another in 2020.

Canto is survived by his wife, Stephanie Ann Canto, and their two young children, Roman Alder, three, and Eve Josephine, one.

On his last Instagram post dated June 19, 2022, he shared a snap of his beautiful family, captioning it: ‘Happy Father’s Day! I’ve been blessed with mine.’