Former “One Life to Live” star Kamar de los Reyes has died. The actor, best known for his portrayal of Antonio Vega off and on from 1995-2009 on the ABC daytime drama series, passed away on Sunday in Los Angeles after a brief battle with cancer, a rep for the family confirmed to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter this morning. He was 56 years old.
Moving to Los Angeles in the late 80s after visiting his brother Daniel, de los Reyes was born in Puerto Rico but raised in Las Vegas. He got his big break when he landed a dancing role in Cher’s music video for “We All Sleep Alone,” which Daniel had played percussion. The actor would go on to work with director Kenny Ortega in the 1988 film “Salsa.”
Before joining “One Life to Live,” de los Reyes appeared in several projects, including the films “East L.A. Warriors,” “ “Lethal Ninja” and “Street Knight.” He also co-starred in the series “Valley of the Dolls.” He would later make appearances in such shows as “New York Undercover,” “Total Recall 2070,” “Touch by an Angel,” “Early Edition,” “CSI: Miami,” “Law & Order Criminal Intent” and “The Mentalist,” along with several others.
In the gaming world, de los Reyes became a recognizable voice with his portrayal of Raul Menendez, a fictional Nicaraguan drug lord and leader of the terrorist organization Cordis Die, in “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.” The character became so popular that the actor would be called back for additional games in the series, including “Call of Duty: Strike Team,” “Call of Duty: Black Ops 4,” “Call of Duty: Mobile,” and “Call of Duty: Vanguard.” In addition to voicing the character, de los Reyes appeared as a version of the character courtesy of motion and facial capture.
In 2017, de los Reyes was part of the cast of the short-lived FOX drama “Sleepy Hollow,” playing the role of Jobe. He also appeared in episodes of “MacGyver,” “ SEAL Team,” “The Passage” and “The Rookie.” More recently, de los Reyes played Coach Montes in “All American.”
Receiving five ALMA Award nominations throughout his time on “One Life to Live,” de los Reyes finally took home the award in 2008 in the Outstanding Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category. He and his real-life wife and former “One Life to Live” co-star, Sherri Saum (ex-Keri Reynolds; “The Fosters”), received recognition at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2002 when they were nominated for a special fan award, dubbed America’s Favorite Couple.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, at the time of his death, de los Reyes was in the midst of work on “All American” and had recently shot a role for Hulu’s not-yet-released “Washington Black,” starring “This is Us” actor Sterling K. Brown. He also has a pretty significant role in Marvel’s upcoming “Daredevil” series reboot for Disney+.
Kamar de los Reyes is survived by his wife, Sherri Saum; sons Caylen (26, from a previous relationship) and twins Michael and John (9); his brothers Daniel and Walfredo, Jr; his sisters Lily and Ilde; his mother, Matilde, and his father Walfredo.
Watch de los Reyes in the 2000 music video for Toni Braxton‘s “Spanish Guitar” below.