Mary Egida Rivera, the actress who portrayed the Filipino grandmother “Lola” in the 2021 blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home, has died at age 82. Rivera passed away on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaii, following a stroke and a period on life support, according to family statements and obituary records.
After medical teams informed the family that her prognosis would not be good
even if she woke up, they made the difficult decision to remove her from life support.
A Legacy of Filipino Representation in the MCU
Though her screen time was brief, Rivera’s role as the grandmother of Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) became a standout moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She is remembered for bringing authenticity to the Filipino community on a global stage, utilizing the Tagalog word Lola
for grandmother. Fans took to social media to honor her, with one tribute stating she represented the Filipino community with such grace and pride.
The role was a personal triumph for Rivera, who was said to have been “very proud” of her appearance. This pride was rooted in a journey that began with her family encouraging her to audition. In an interview with Star FM Baguio, Rivera recalled the surprise of the casting process, noting that she initially thought the project was a cartoon and had no prior knowledge of who Spider-Man was.
The “Cobweb” Scene and Cinematic Impact
Rivera’s most enduring contribution is the comedic sequence where Andrew Garfield’s version of Spider-Man emerges from an interdimensional portal into Ned’s living room. After Garfield’s character climbs to the ceiling to prove his identity, Lola asks him in Tagalog to clean the cobwebs in a hard-to-reach corner of the room while he is already up there.
The experience was a whirlwind for Rivera, who described the production as a dream
. She recounted the luxury of riding a private plane and a chauffeured limousine to Atlanta, Georgia, and staying in a luxurious suite—a stark contrast to her usual experience of flying economy between the U.S. and the Philippines.
Life Beyond the Marvel Universe
Born on June 2, 1943, in Iloilo, Philippines, Rivera’s life extended far beyond her brief brush with Hollywood stardom. She spent her first three decades in her hometown before moving to the United States in the 1970s, where she became a prominent member of the Filipino community in Hawaii. Her professional life included roles as a radio station manager and a retired missionary for the church.
Despite her global exposure in 2021, she maintained a humble perspective on her fame, stating in her interview that she did not consider herself a celebrity, but rather someone God blessed to be part of the movie.
Rivera is survived by a large family:
- Husband: Alejandro Rivera
- Children: Carmela Jones, Paul Rivera, Edwin Rivera, and Angela Kelly
- 11 grandchildren
- 4 great-grandchildren
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Final Tributes and Celebration of Life
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Following her passing, the film community and fans expressed their grief through digital tributes.
A celebration of life was held on June 6 at the Trinity Central Oahu Church, located within the Mililani Tech Park in Hawaii.
Worth a look
