When the second episode of Disney+ and Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again opened with a black screen and the words “In loving memory of Kamar de los Reyes,” it marked a rare Hollywood goodbye — a final tribute to an actor who completed his scenes before passing away at 56 on Christmas Eve 2023. De los Reyes had spent his final months filming the role of Hector Ayala, the character who becomes Marvel’s first leading Hispanic superhero, White Tiger. He died after a brief battle with cancer, leaving behind a body of work that spanned soaps, video games, and network television.

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Born: November 8, 1967 · Died: December 24, 2023 · Height: 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) · Known for: Antonio Vega on ABC soap opera · Notable role: White Tiger in Daredevil

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Passed away December 24, 2023, at age 56 (We Got This Covered)
  • Final role was Hector Ayala/White Tiger in Daredevil: Born Again (Screen Rant)
  • Episode 2 of Daredevil: Born Again features dedication “In loving memory of Kamar de los Reyes” (Screen Rant)
2What’s unclear
  • The specific type of cancer was not publicly disclosed at time of reporting (We Got This Covered)
  • Exact timing of when Marvel learned of his condition during filming (Screen Rant)
3Timeline signal
  • Born November 8, 1967, in San Juan, Puerto Rico (We Got This Covered)
  • Filmed Daredevil scenes while ill before December 2023 passing (Screen Rant)
4What’s next

What happened to Kamar de los Reyes?

Kamar de los Reyes died on December 24, 2023, Christmas Eve, at age 56 in Los Angeles, California, after a short battle with cancer. A source close to his family confirmed the news to People magazine. He had been diagnosed shortly before his death while working on the CW series All American, where he portrayed Coach Montes. De los Reyes’ final live-action performance was as Hector Ayala, the character who becomes White Tiger, in Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again — and he completed filming before passing away.

Passing in 2023

De los Reyes was born on November 8, 1967, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 56 years old at the time of his death. The actor is survived by his wife, actress Sherri Saum, whom he met while co-starring on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, and three sons: twin boys Michael and John (age 9 in 2023) and son Caylen (age 26 in 2023). His death came as a shock to fans and colleagues who had not been aware of the severity of his illness.

The upshot

De los Reyes finished filming his Daredevil scenes before his death, which meant audiences would see his final performance unmarred by knowledge of his condition — a small mercy in an otherwise devastating loss for his family and the entertainment community.

Tribute in Daredevil

When Daredevil: Born Again premiered, Marvel honored de los Reyes in episode 2 with a dedication reading “In loving memory of Kamar de los Reyes” that appeared both at the opening and closing of the episode. The actor’s portrayal of Hector Ayala/White Tiger marked the live-action debut of Marvel’s first leading Hispanic superhero from the comics. De los Reyes appears in episode 3, which aired March 11, 2025 — posthumously delivering what would be his final screen performance.

Why this matters

Marvel was unaware of de los Reyes’ illness during filming. Director Michael Cuesta learned of his passing nearly a year after production wrapped, according to reporting from Screen Rant. The production had adjusted schedules to accommodate his pain during filming, but neither Marvel nor the cast and crew knew the full extent of what he was enduring.

What medical condition did Kamar de los Reyes have?

Kamar de los Reyes was diagnosed with cancer shortly before his death on December 24, 2023. Sources confirmed to People magazine that he died after a short battle with the disease. The specific type of cancer was not publicly disclosed at the time of reporting, and no official family statement or obituary provided additional details about the diagnosis.

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis

While some secondary sources have reported pancreatic cancer, this specific diagnosis had not been confirmed in primary sources or verified family statements as of the most recent available reporting. The ambiguity around his exact diagnosis remains one of the unresolved details following his passing.

What to watch

Family or official representatives have not released a statement specifying the cancer type. Readers encountering claims about “pancreatic cancer” should note this lacks primary-source verification. Future reporting may clarify this detail.

Battle details

De los Reyes continued working while undergoing treatment. He was filming All American when diagnosed and also completed his scenes for Daredevil: Born Again during this period. Director Michael Cuesta told Screen Rant that de los Reyes “worked through a lot of pain” and “the guy worked really hard.” The actor insisted on continuing despite his condition, reportedly telling crew members, “I’m fine. I want to do it.”

Did Kamar de los Reyes finish filming Daredevil?

Yes, Kamar de los Reyes completed filming his scenes for Daredevil: Born Again before passing away on December 24, 2023. Episode 3 of the series was finished before his death, meaning his performance as White Tiger survived intact. Production for the series restarted in January 2024 after the initial filming halt related to the Disney-Marvel merger restructuring.

White Tiger role completion

De los Reyes portrayed Hector Ayala, who becomes White Tiger — Marvel’s first leading Hispanic superhero in the comics. He filmed his scenes while dealing with illness and constant pain. The production adjusted schedules to accommodate his needs during filming, though Marvel remained unaware of the severity of his condition until after his death.

Posthumous tribute

Marvel’s tribute in episode 2 featured the dedication “In loving memory of Kamar de los Reyes” on a black screen at both the opening and closing of the episode. Sana Amanat from Marvel alerted director Michael Cuesta about de los Reyes’ passing nearly a year after they had worked together. His final television performance aired March 11, 2025.

The catch

De los Reyes completed his work before anyone knew the full stakes. His insistence on finishing — “I’m fine. I want to do it.” — meant his legacy as White Tiger would stand complete, but it also meant he carried that burden largely alone during his final months.

What happened to Coach Montes in real life?

Coach Montes, the character played by Kamar de los Reyes on the CW drama All American, was portrayed by the actor until his death in December 2023. The character appeared in the series as a coach figure, consistent with de los Reyes’ athletic build and commanding screen presence. The show paid tribute to him following his passing.

All American role

De los Reyes was working on All American when he received his cancer diagnosis. The show acknowledged his contribution and honored his memory after his death. His portrayal of Coach Montes represented one of several television roles that showcased his versatility as an actor, spanning drama, soap operas, and superhero franchises.

Actor behind the character

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, de los Reyes built his career over decades, starting with his breakthrough role as Antonio Vega on One Life to Live from 1995 to 2005. He later appeared in shows like The Rookie and voiced the villain Raul Menendez in Call of Duty video games from 2012 to 2022. His final live-action role in Daredevil: Born Again brought his career full circle.

What are Kamar de los Reyes movies and TV shows?

Kamar de los Reyes appeared in a range of television series and video games throughout his career, from daytime soap operas to network dramas and Marvel superhero content. His most prominent television work included a decade-long tenure on One Life to Live, guest roles across multiple series, and his final appearance in Daredevil: Born Again.

Soap opera Antonio Vega

De los Reyes played Antonio Vega on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live from 1995 to 2005. The role established him as a recognizable face in daytime television and introduced him to Sherri Saum, who would later become his wife. Their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life partnership that lasted until his death.

Other notable appearances

Beyond soaps and superhero roles, de los Reyes appeared in The Rookie, Nikita, and voiced Raul Menendez in the Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012) and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020). He also filmed scenes for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as Barranca, released posthumously in December 2024.

His career spanned multiple mediums, with key milestones documented in the biographical table below.

Full Name Kamar de los Reyes
Birth Date November 8, 1967
Death Date December 24, 2023
Birthplace San Juan, Puerto Rico
Death Location Los Angeles, California
Age at Death 56
Notable Roles Antonio Vega, White Tiger, Coach Montes
One Life to Live 1995–2005
Call of Duty 2012–2022

The breadth of de los Reyes’ work—from daytime drama to blockbuster franchises—underscores the versatility that made him a sought-after performer across genres.

Quotes

“I’m fine. I want to do it.”

— Kamar de los Reyes, actor, to crew during Daredevil filming

He “worked through a lot of pain” and “the guy worked really hard.”

— Michael Cuesta, director (Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3)

Summary

For Marvel fans and those who followed his career, de los Reyes’ passing marked the loss of an actor whose dedication to his craft was evident even in his final months. His completion of the White Tiger role meant that Daredevil: Born Again became his lasting television legacy — a superhero debut that arrived posthumously, honoring both the character and the man who brought him to life. The absence of disclosure about his cancer type leaves a gap in the public record, but the tributes from Marvel, his All American colleagues, and his family paint a consistent picture: Kamar de los Reyes refused to stop working, even when every reason told him he should.

Bottom line: Kamar de los Reyes delivered his final performance as White Tiger in Daredevil: Born Again, completing filming before his January 2024 death at 56. For Marvel audiences: expect a heartfelt dedication in episode 2 and a complete performance in episode 3. For industry observers: his insistence on finishing his work despite pain sets a challenging precedent for how we talk about dedication versus wellbeing on set.

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De los Reyes portrayed the fierce White Tiger in the Netflix Daredevil series, joining a Daredevil TV series cast that featured Charlie Cox and other Marvel standouts.

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Frequently asked questions

What was Kamar de los Reyes’ cause of death?

Kamar de los Reyes died on December 24, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. Sources confirmed his death to People magazine. The specific type of cancer was not publicly disclosed at the time of reporting.

Who was Kamar de los Reyes in Daredevil?

He portrayed Hector Ayala, who becomes White Tiger — Marvel’s first leading Hispanic superhero — in Daredevil: Born Again.

What role did Kamar de los Reyes play in All American?

He played Coach Montes on the CW series All American. The show paid tribute to him after his death.

Was Kamar de los Reyes a member of Menudo?

Research notes indicate some potential connection to Menudo (the Puerto Rican boy band), but details about specific years or involvement remain unclear and not verified in primary sources.

When did Kamar de los Reyes pass away?

He died on December 24, 2023, Christmas Eve, at age 56 in Los Angeles, California.

What other TV shows featured Kamar de los Reyes?

He appeared in The Rookie, Nikita, and voiced Raul Menendez in Call of Duty games. His most prominent soap role was Antonio Vega on One Life to Live (1995-2005).

How tall was Kamar de los Reyes?

He was 5′ 10″ tall (1.78 m).