In an unexpected and grievous turn of events, the entertainment industry mourns the loss of a versatile talent, Kamar de los Reyes, whose memorable performances graced television, film, and video games. De los Reyes, hailed for his transformative role as a gang member-turned-officer in the long-running soap opera “One Life to Live,” as well as for his compelling portrayal of a villain in “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” passed away in Los Angeles at the young age of 56.
It was a Sunday steeped in sorrow when de los Reyes succumbed to a brief but ferocious battle with cancer, leaving his adoring public and peers in profound shock. Lisa Goldberg, the publicist representing de los Reyes’ wife, Sherri Saum, confirmed the news on behalf of the family.
De los Reyes’ journey as Antonio Vega on “One Life to Live” saw the character evolve from a troubled gang member to an advocate for justice, first as a lawyer and subsequently a law enforcement officer, sharing the screen with his real-life spouse, Saum. Not just contained to the soap opera realm, de los Reyes also made his mark as the formidable antagonist Raul Menendez in “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” one of the most popular video games of its time.
The actor’s expansive career also featured key roles in television series such as Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow,” ABC’s “The Rookie,” and CW’s “All American.” At the time of his demise, de los Reyes was involved in the production of “All American” and had additionally completed work for Marvel’s forthcoming “Daredevil” series and Hulu’s anticipated “Washington Black,” which will star Sterling K. Brown.
The Puerto Rico-born and Las Vegas-raised de los Reyes discovered his passion for acting upon relocating to Los Angeles in the late 1980s. He quickly proved his prowess, shining in the 1994 off-Broadway play “Blade to the Heat” as Pedro Quinn and portraying Ferdinand in George C. Wolfe’s rendition of “The Tempest” for Shakespeare in the Park.
His talents extended to the silver screen as well, with a noteworthy performance in Oliver Stone’s “Nixon” as Watergate burglar Eugenio Martinez. He shared scenes with Angelina Jolie as a secret service agent in “Salt” and delved into the psychological thriller genre with Jennifer Lopez in “The Cell.”
The announcement of de los Reyes’ passing inevitably sends ripples of sadness across his expansive fan base and throughout Hollywood. He leaves behind his enduring legacy and a loving family, including his wife, Sherri Saum, their son Caylen, age 26, and nine-year-old twins Michael and John.
As the waves of tributes pour in, the film and television industry experiences a collective pause to honor a man whose talents transcended genres and mediums. Kamar de los Reyes’ spirit survives not only in his diverse body of work but also in the lives he touched both on and off the screen. Truly, the world of entertainment has lost a shining star, whose light will continue to glow in the hearts of family, friends, and fans alike.
