X-Men actor dies after private battle with cancer

Canto was surrounded by "the most precious family" including his wife Stephanie Ann Canto and their two young children Roman and Eve.

He was best known for playing Marvel superhero Sunspot in the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past and in 2016 he played Kiefer Sutherland's vice president in the drama series Designated Survivor.

As his star rose, Canto was offered roles in Netflix's Narcos, based on the life of Colombian cartel boss Pablo Escobar, and Fox's The Cleaning Lady.

Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment called him a "wonderful actor and dear friend" capable of "artistry, range, depth and vulnerability".

"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Adan Canto," the entertainment companies said in a joint statement.

"This is an unfathomable loss, and we grieve alongside his wife Stephanie, their children and loved ones. We will miss Adan dearly."

Canto was born in the Coahuila city of Acuna in Mexico on December 5, 1981 and moved to Del Rio, Texas where he was raised.

Aside from acting Canto had a passion for music, writing songs for TV shows and films in Mexico, before transitioning into directing two short films, Before Tomorrow (2014) and The Shot (2020).