Kamar de los Reyes died on December 24, 2023, at the age of 56 in Los Angeles, California. His family confirmed that he passed away following a short battle with cancer. The versatile actor, known worldwide for playing Antonio Vega on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live and voicing the iconic antagonist Raul Menendez in the Call of Duty video game franchise, kept his diagnosis private while continuing his creative work.
Understanding the Circumstances of His Passing
The news of his death shocked fans and colleagues across television, film, and gaming. Representatives for his family, including publicist Lisa Goldberg, shared that he died after a brief, localized battle with cancer. Unlike many public figures who document chronic health battles, de los Reyes chose to handle his medical diagnosis privately. He continued to appear on screens and record voice acting roles even as he underwent treatment.
His passing occurred in Los Angeles surrounded by close family members, leaving behind his wife, actress Sherri Saum, their twin sons, and an older son from a previous relationship.
A Look Back at a Remarkable Career
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 8, 1967, de los Reyes moved to Las Vegas during his youth before heading to Los Angeles and later New York City to pursue acting. He established his chops on the theater stage, earning widespread critical acclaim for his 1994 off-Broadway performance as boxer Pedro "Roadman" Quinn in Blade to the Heat at The Public Theater. That breakthrough role led to high-profile theater productions, including playing Ferdinand in The Tempest alongside Patrick Stewart for Shakespeare in the Park. More information on this are covered by The Hollywood Reporter.
Television audiences quickly embraced him when he joined One Life to Live in 1995. As Antonio Vega, a troubled ex-con turned dedicated lawyer and police officer, he anchored major storylines for nearly 300 episodes over more than a decade, becoming a fixture of daytime television.
Crossing Over Into Gaming and Primetime TV
Beyond daytime dramas, de los Reyes achieved legendary status in the gaming community. In 2012, he provided the motion capture and voice acting for Raul Menendez, the complex, charismatic primary antagonist in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Critics and fans widely praise Menendez as one of the most compelling villains in video game history. De los Reyes reprised this iconic role in subsequent franchise iterations, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Call of Duty: Vanguard.
His primetime resume spans dozens of major television shows. He took on recurring and guest roles in hit series like Sleepy Hollow as Jobe, The Rookie as Ryan Caradine, All American as Coach Montes, and appearances in CSI: Miami, The Mentalist, Pretty Little Liars, and Law & Order.
Posthumous Projects and Industry Tributes
Because de los Reyes remained active in production right up until his final months, several high-profile projects featuring his work debuted posthumously.
- Daredevil: Born Again: He filmed appearances as the iconic Marvel Comics character Hector Ayala, also known as White Tiger, for the Disney+ series.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: He contributed voice and performance work for the character Barranca in the video game released by Bethesda.
- All American: His recurring role as Coach Montes aired posthumously during the show's sixth season on The CW.
Production teams honored his memory by dedicating episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, All American, and games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to his life and contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific type of cancer did Kamar de los Reyes have?
His family and representatives chose not to disclose the specific medical diagnosis or organ origin of the cancer, maintaining privacy throughout his treatment and passing.
How old was Kamar de los Reyes when he died?
He was 56 years old. He passed away on December 24, 2023, just a few weeks after celebrating his 56th birthday in November.
Who is Kamar de los Reyes survived by?
He is survived by his wife, actress Sherri Saum, with whom he shared twin boys born in 2014, as well as an older son from a previous relationship. He was also one of three brothers; his siblings Walfredo Jr. and Daniel are well-known professional musicians.
Where can fans watch his final performances?
Fans can see his final television and gaming work in Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again, the sixth season of All American, and the action-adventure video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
