X-Men and Designated Survivor star dies aged 42

Adan Canto, known for playing roles in X-Men and Designated Survivor, has died at the age of 42.

Adan Canto had kept his cancer diagnosis private. Pic: AP

The Mexican actor, who was also a singer-songwriter, died of appendiceal cancer and kept his diagnosis private, according to publicist Jennifer Allen.

“Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew,” she wrote in a statement.

“Those who glimpsed it were changed forever. He will be greatly missed by so many.”

Kiefer Sutherland, who starred alongside Canto in Designated Survivor, said he was “heartbroken” and called him a “wonderful spirit”.

“It seems lately I have had to make too many posts like this one, but I am heartbroken by the loss of Adan Canto. He was such a wonderful spirit,” he wrote on Instagram.

Pic: AP

“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.”

Born in Coahuila, Mexico, Canto was raised in Texas and started his career at the age of 16.

He left home for Mexico City to work as a singer-songwriter before pursuing acting and making his TV debut in the 2009 Mexican series, Estado de Gracia.

He then starred in American drama series The Following in 2013 alongside Kevin Bacon.

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His most notable roles were as Aaron Shore in Designated Survivor, Colombian politician Rodrigo Lara Bonilla in Narcos, and the mutant Sunspot in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

He also appeared in Halle Berry’s directorial debut, Bruised.

Canto had been starring as Arman Morales in Fox crime drama series The Cleaning Lady, which is currently filming its third season.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Ann Canto, and two children, Roman Alder, three, and Eve Josephine, 18 months.

“Forever my treasure Adan, see you soon,” his wife wrote on Instagram.