Mary Egida Rivera, the Filipino-American actress who won the hearts of Marvel fans with her memorable role as Ned Leeds' grandmother ("Lola") in Spider-Man: No Way Home, has passed away at the age of 82. Rivera died peacefully on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaii, her family said.
Rivera appeared alongside Jacob Batalon, who played Peter Parker’s best friend Ned Leeds in the 2021 Marvel blockbuster. Her role was brief but she had an amazing, hilarious performance and it left big impressions on a lot of people.
One of her most memorable scenes was when Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man appeared through a magical portal in Ned's home. Speaking in Tagalog, Rivera’s character asked Spider-Man to clean the cobwebs from the ceiling, one of the funniest and most beloved moments in the movie.
Rivera was “very proud” to portray a Filipino grandmother in one of Hollywood’s biggest superhero movies, her family said. They revealed that her family had been pushing her to audition after she saw a casting call that called for a local Filipina grandmother in Hawaii.
Rivera was born on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, and later settled in Hawaii, where she built a life dedicated to family and community. Before making her Hollywood debut, she worked as a teacher, radio host, and church missionary, earning admiration for both her professional and personal contributions.
Her portrayal of "Lola" appealed to Filipino audiences who were pleased to see real Filipino culture in a major Marvel production. Rivera was a symbol of cultural pride for many viewers even though she had very limited screen time.
As soon as her death was announced, fans and industry figures alike were sending tributes on social media. Many remembered her for her warm, funny, and very real performance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Actor Jacob Batalon also wrote a tribute, “REST IN PARADISE LOLA.”
Rivera is survived by her husband Alejandro Rivera, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her family has described her appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home as one of her proudest achievements.
Mary Egida Rivera was only in a few parts of the film, but her honest performance left an imprint on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. People from all over the world will remember her as Ned’s loving grandmother whose charm and humor could bring smiles to millions of moviegoers.
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