Adan Canto, Cleaning Lady and Designated Survivor Star, Dead at 42
Adan Canto, best known to TV audiences for his roles on The Cleaning Lady and Designated Survivor, has died at the age of 42.
“Actor Adan Canto died on Jan. 8, 2024, of appendiceal cancer,” Canto’s publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed in a statement to TVLine. “Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew. Those who glimpsed it were changed forever. He leaves behind his wife, best friend and creative partner Stephanie Ann Canto as well as his two greatest works of art, Roman Alder, three-and-a-half years of age, and Eve Josephine, one-and-a-half years of age. He will be greatly missed by so many.”
Warner Bros. Television and Fox also released the following statement: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Adan Canto. A wonderful actor and dear friend, we were honored to have him as part of the Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment families since his U.S. debut in The Following more than a decade ago. Most recently, he lit up the screen in The Cleaning Lady with a powerful performance that showcased his artistry, range, depth and vulnerability. This is an unfathomable loss, and we grieve alongside his wife Stephanie, their children and loved ones. We will miss Adan dearly.”
According to our sister site Deadline, Canto’s diagnosis did not allow for him to return to Fox’s The Cleaning Lady when production on Season 3 got underway in December — though it was expected that he’d rejoin his co-stars and reprise his role as gangster Arman Morales later this season. The show will reportedly pay tribute to Canto with a memorial card during the Season 3 premiere, airing Tuesday, March 5, at 8/7c.
Prior to The Cleaning Lady, Canto for three seasons starred opposite Kiefer Sutherland on the ABC-turned-Netflix thriller Designated Survivor, where he played vice president-elect Aaron Shore. (Read Sutherland’s tribute to Canto here.)
Canto’s big break came in 2013, when he was cast as Paul Torres in Season 1 of Fox’s Kevin Bacon crime drama The Following. That was followed by starring roles on ABC’s Mixology (as bartender Dominic) and Blood & Oil (as A.J. Menendez), and a recurring role on Fox’s Second Chance (as Connor Graff). He also played real-life politician Rodrigo Lara Bonilla in a Season 1 episode of Netflix’s Narcos.
On the film side, he played Sunspot in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, and also appeared in 2 Hearts, Bruised and Agent Game.
Man, he was so young and such a good actor. What a tragedy. He is going to be missed. Rest in Peace. I wonder how The Cleaning Lady is going to handle this-he was such a HUGE part of the show.
Oh I feel horrible about Adan Canto and my heart goes out to his wife and 2 small children who will never know or even remember him. I will never understand why these unfair and terrible things even happen. I loved him in The Cleaning Lady and he was such an integral part of the show. I hope his wife has all wonderful memories of her husband and will keep his memory alive for their children. May be rest in peace.
I think he was supposed to be taking a more minor role this season. They’re really hyping up the fact that Santiago Cabrera is set to join the cast in the new season, so I wonder if it had always been planned for Adam to have a little less screen time.
I suspect they’ll have his character be a victim of his own dealings off-screen. I’m just getting into the show and really enjoyed him. Deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Huge part? He was like the second most important character of the show. Idk if I’ll be able to watch the third season
Rest in Peace Arman/ Adan Canto
Wow so young. R.I.P.
How terrible, that’s so young. He was a major part of what drew people to the show – I don’t know if it’ll survive a recasting or writing him out.
OMG, this just stopped me dead in my tracks. And to think I was just talking about Sherri Saum’s husband. F*ck cancer!! This is so sad. Sending love to Adan’s family and loved ones.
So young and so handsome. I loved him in Designated Survivor.
Very sad. Great actor. Prayers to his wife and young children.
Shocked & Sad, RIP, I loved him on The Cleaning Lady, not sure how the season would work without him.
I’m trying to recall how season two ended with Arman, I may have to watch that last episode again. Regardless, this is a huge loss and my prayers go out to his family. I’ve enjoyed every character I’ve ever seen Canto play, this is just so heartbreaking.
If I recall correctly, Arman and Thony got in a car together and were driving somewhere. I don’t recall the specifics.
Oh no, that is so sad! 😔
I’m so sorry and shocked to read this news. Taken far too young. My condolences to his wife and children. RIP
such a sad loss, so sorry for his family and co-stars
Damn. Way too young. My heart goes out to his family and friends..
F*ck cancer. RIP, I really enjoyed his work on Designated Survivor. My condolences to his loved ones.
What horrifying news. Such a brilliant actor and so young to leave us.. He will tremendously missed on The Cleaning lady.. The show won’t be the same.. He played such a important and brilliant role..
I’m absolutely shocked. This is awful news and I thought it can’t be right when I read it. He was a great actor with a promising future.
I can’t see how the Cleaning Lady survives his loss.
I thought the same thing and read it three times before it sank in. Just so sad.
OMG, this is so sad!
What a tragedy to lose someone so talented with a young family!
I can’t imagine The Cleaning Lady without Arman. Not sure what they’re going to do. It will definitely not be the same without him
Absolutely horrible. I don’t even know what to say. 42 years… Jesus, just horrible. May he rest in peace.
I am so sorry. I loved him in the Cleaning Lady.
Shocked to hear this. Guy was great on Cleaning Lady.
Wow, I’m stunned!! So young and seemingly healthy. Just so sad. I tuned in The Cleaning Lady just out of curiosity, and I continued watching because of him. I was really looking forward to the show’s return because of him. He was excellent in that part! So charismatic, intense, and handsome in that role. Such an incredibly sad loss for his family and all of his loved ones. Man, cancer just sucks! It impacts so many lives. An illness I will never understand and one I pray that one day we can find a cure for. Very sad.
So talented, so beautiful, so young! Just awful
RIP my friend
Such a shock
A very talented actor one of my all time favorite
I will miss him 🙏🙏
😟😥😥
This is such shocking and heartbreaking news…
Gone far too soon.
Adan Canto was a great actor, so talented and gorgeous.
My heartfelt condolences to his wife, his children, his family, his friends , his coworkers and fans.
May ,
Adan Canto rest in heavenly peace 🕊️.
Cancer runs in my family and has taken enough of my loved ones away from my family,
so this hits close to
home for me😟.
🙏 Prayers and strength to Adan Canto’s wife and children during this very difficult and sad time.
he was such a wonderful actor, one of my favorites. He will be missed so much on the cleaning lady.. Rest In Peace.
This is tragic. A young man with a young family. He was wonderful in The Cleaning Lady and the main reason I enjoy the show. RIP