Some performances last for hours. Others need only a few unforgettable minutes to become part of movie history. Mary Rivera achieved exactly that in Spider-Man: No Way Home, turning a brief appearance into one of the film’s most beloved comedic moments. Rivera, who played Ned Leeds’ grandmother Lola, has died at the age of 82. Now, the actress who won over Marvel fans around the world has left behind a legacy far bigger than her single screen credit.

Though she appeared in only one feature film, Mary Rivera delivered a scene that Spider-Man fans still quote years later, making her farewell all the more poignant.

Mary Rivera, the Filipino-American actress who portrayed Ned Leeds’ grandmother Lola in Spider-Man: No Way Home, died at the age of 82. According to TMZ, Rivera suffered a major stroke that left her in a coma, and after doctors delivered a poor prognosis, her family made the difficult decision to remove her from life support. She passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawaii, with news of her death becoming public months later.

Although Spider-Man: No Way Home remains her only credited acting role, Rivera’s performance became one of the Marvel blockbuster’s most memorable highlights. Speaking entirely in Tagalog, she delighted audiences during the film’s now-iconic portal sequence, calmly asking Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man to clean the cobwebs from her ceiling instead of reacting to the superhero standing in her living room. That brief but unforgettable scene celebrated Filipino representation on one of cinema’s biggest stages and ensured Mary Rivera’s warmth and humor will remain part of Spider-Man history for years to come.

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Although Mary Rivera’s time in the Spider-Man universe was brief, the franchise itself has continued rewriting the record books with each new adventure.

The Spider-Man franchise is once again soaring to unprecedented heights with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Released in theaters on July 31, 2026, the fourth MCU standalone outing for Tom Holland smashed the domestic opening weekend record by earning a staggering $360 million, overtaking Avengers: Endgame. Its momentum proved just as unstoppable worldwide, where the film amassed an extraordinary $932 million during its opening weekend, cementing its place among the biggest debuts in cinema history.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the blockbuster reunites Tom Holland with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon while introducing fresh faces and familiar MCU allies to Peter Parker’s next chapter. Sadie Sink joins the franchise in a mysterious new role, with Jon Bernthal returning as Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, alongside Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner. Together, the ensemble has helped deliver another Spider-Man adventure that has resonated with audiences worldwide, further strengthening the franchise’s status as one of Marvel Studios’ biggest cinematic triumphs.

As the franchise continues breaking records with new adventures, Mary Rivera's memorable turn as Lola remains a reminder that even the smallest roles can leave the biggest impact.

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What is your favorite Mary Rivera moment from Spider-Man: No Way Home? Let us know in the comments.