Los Angeles, CA — Kamar de los Reyes, best known for his performance of police officer Antonio Vega on the renowned serial opera “One Life to Live” and his iconic voice work as the villain Raul Menendez in the “Call of Duty” video game franchise, died on Sunday of cancer. He was 56.
Kamar was born on November 8, 1967, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother from a musical family. His father, brothers, and grandpa were all accomplished percussionists, as was his grandfather. Kamar was up in Las Vegas, but his love of performing brought him to Los Angeles after high school.
While Kamar’s first major break came in New York as Pedro Quinn in the Off Broadway production “Blade to the Heat,” his lasting fame was forged on the tiny screen. In the long-running soap opera “One Life to Live,” he captivated audiences as the multifaceted character Antonio Vega, performing in approximately 300 episodes from 1995 to 1998 and again from 2000 to 2009. Antonio Vega’s metamorphosis from repentant mobster to police officer fascinated audiences, and was highlighted by a series of love entanglements that highlighted Kamar’s diverse acting abilities.
Kamar de los Reyes made an unforgettable imprint in the gaming world as the voice of Raul Menendez in the 2012 video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” a character regarded as one of the franchise’s most intriguing antagonists. His unusual voice gave the synthetic opponent depth and nuance in following titles such as “Call of Duty: Black Ops 4” and “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”
Kamar was working in the entertainment sector at the time of his death, filming for the CW sports drama “All American” and recently finishing roles in the upcoming series “Daredevil: Born Again” and the mini-series “Washington Black.”
His wife, actress Sherri Saum, and their three boys, Caylen, Michael, and John, survive him. His brothers Daniel and Walfredo Jr., sisters Lily and Ilde, and parents all lament his death.
The entertainment industry and fans alike are mourning the death of a gifted artist whose contributions to television and gaming will be recognized and praised for years to come.