Adan Canto Dies: ‘Heartbroken’ Kiefer Sutherland Remembers Late Designated Survivor Co-Star

Michael Ausiello

Kiefer Sutherland is remembering his Designated Survivor co-star Adan Canto, who died Monday at age 42.

“It seems lately I have had to make too many posts like this one, but I am heartbroken by the loss of Adan Canto,” Sutherland lamented on Instagram on Tuesday. “He was such a wonderful spirit. As an actor, his desire to do well, to be great, and then do better was truly impressive and he will be greatly missed. I am also heartbroken for his wife, Steph and his two young children. Adan, may you rest in peace.”

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Canto — who had been starring on Fox’s The Cleaning Lady — died of appendiceal cancer, his spokesperson confirmed. “Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew,” the rep shared. “Those who glimpsed it were changed forever.”

Italia Ricci, whose character Emily Rhodes was a love interest for Canto’s Aaron Shore on Designated Survivor, also memorialized the actor on Tuesday. “I’m completely lost for words,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “He was the strongest person I know in every sense of the word and I am so angry that this happened. No one deserved this less than this sweet, brilliant, kind, and gentle man. F—k cancer. F—k. I’m so sorry for everyone hurting at this devastating loss and am beyond heartbroken for his family. You’ll be in my heart always.”

“Beautiful friend…. You are the level of person that Hollywood didn’t even deserve,” added Maggie Q, who played CIA analyst Hannah Wells on the series. “Kindness and warmth and generosity of spirit — total dedication to your family, and ALWAYS doing the right thing. No one had your moral compass nor did they even come close. I don’t understand this. Anyone who knew you was a lucky one. That’s all I do know.”

Kal Penn, who co-starred as White House press secretary Seth Wright, had this to say in tribute: “Absolutely heartbreaking to lose Adan Canto. He was so genuine and warm, immensely talented; such a good person who was simultaneously calm and motivating. And funny. He was very, very funny. I’m so lucky to have known you. My heart goes out to Steph, the kids, and the whole family.”

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.

On the ABC-turned-Netflix thriller Designated Survivor, Canto played vice president-elect Aaron Shore opposite Sutherland’s POTUS. Additional TV credits included The Following as well as Mixology (as bartender Dominic) and Blood & Oil (as A.J. Menendez).

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