Iconic Actor Kamar de los Reyes Passes Away at 56 After Battling Cancer

Los Angeles mourns the loss of beloved actor Kamar de los Reyes, who tragically passed away on Sunday at the age of 56 following a brief battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by de los Reyes' family in a statement obtained by CBS News. Lisa Goldberg, publicist for de los Reyes' wife, actress Sherri Saum, shared the heartbreaking announcement.

De los Reyes was widely recognized for his versatile acting career, which spanned across television, movies, and video games. He gained prominence for his role as Antonio Vega, a former gang member turned lawyer and cop, in the soap opera "One Life to Live." It was on this show that he had the opportunity to work alongside his wife, Sherri Saum, who played the character of Vanessa Hart.

Additionally, de los Reyes showcased his remarkable talent in the popular video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II." He lent his voice to the character of Raul Menendez, a memorable villain that left a lasting impression on gamers worldwide. His portrayal of Menendez has been hailed as one of the franchise's best villains.

De los Reyes' contributions to the entertainment industry extended beyond these notable roles. He appeared in several television series, including Fox's "Sleepy Hollow," ABC's "The Rookie," and CW's "All American." At the time of his passing, he was actively working on the CW sports drama “All American” and had recently completed filming for Marvel's upcoming “Daredevil” series and Hulu's unreleased "Washington Black," starring Sterling K. Brown.

Born in Puerto Rico, de los Reyes moved to Las Vegas during his childhood. It was in his late 80s, after arriving in Los Angeles, that he discovered his passion for acting. He quickly made a name for himself with early roles in off-Broadway plays such as "Blade to the Heat" and Shakespeare in the Park's production of "The Tempest," directed by George C. Wolfe.

Transitioning to the big screen, de los Reyes showcased his acting prowess in films such as Oliver Stone's "Nixon," where he portrayed Watergate burglar Eugenio Martinez. He also appeared alongside Angelina Jolie in “Salt” and shared the screen with Jennifer Lopez in "The Cell." Despite living in Los Angeles, de los Reyes maintained a deep connection to his Puerto Rican roots and actively participated in the post-Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in 2017.

De los Reyes is survived by his wife Sherri Saum and their three sons: Caylen, 26, and twins Michael and John, age 9. The actor's family statement reflected on his love for Puerto Rico and his dedication to his craft, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. Los Angeles and the wider acting community mourn the loss of a talented actor, remembering him for his extraordinary performances and his impact on the world of television, film, and gaming.