Soap Stars Pay Tribute to Kamar de los Reyes

On December 24, 2023, the daytime soap opera community lost one of its stars. Kamar de los Reyes, who had transitioned to a successful career in primetime, passed away at the age of 56 after battling cancer. Kamar is survived by his wife, Sherri Saum, and three children. See the tributes from soap stars below:

Michael Easton (ex-John): I never wanted to write these words for you. Never thought I would have too. You were bigger than life. A force of nature that elevated us and this world was a dizzier place with you in it. You were a fighter. You fought to your last breath. A man of faith that never lost hope. You loved your wife, and you loved your children and their love for you was the lifeforce that kept you going. You meant so much to so many. You promoted charities and went on USO Tours.

The good work you did for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Millions of people know you from television and movies and video games. I just know you as my best friend. The best man at my wedding. For thirty years you were always there, loving life more than anyone I know and when I was around you, I loved it as much as you did. We are all broken now but blessed to have shared this time and although the nights seem suddenly darker, I know you are still with us, your light guiding us forward. Where you are going my friend, there I will be someday and I know I will find you.
Until then, I love you brother.

Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian): AN ENORMOUS LOSS of a man of great integrity & talent. I admired him, it was impossible not to…& it wasn’t only that he was MUY GUAPO friends-Take it from me the man was a Mensche! RIP

Sean Ringgold (ex-Shaun): I’m sitting here in disbelief that my brother @delosreyeskamar has passed away from this physical earth and is now resting in Gods kingdom. How do I summarize 20-plus years of friendship and support into a single post? I met this beautiful human being on my first network job @onelifetolive. From day one he welcomed me with open arms. Working with him on camera was always a fantastic experience. I was Blessed that our relationship went beyond the studio. Countless barbecues in his back yard, steak dinners and we always finished the night with a great cigar. This man would motivate and encourage me when I was feeling down or getting my teeth kicked in by the business which happens from time to time. When he asked me to provide security at his wedding to his incredible wife @saumdays I told him absolutely. I remember taking his son @caylen.delosreyes Snowboarding at Camelback Mountain. What a fantastic time we had. Kamar will be missed but will always live in my heart. I love you Brother, until we meet again.

Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana): You took me to my first work event. It was a Latino event. From the very beginning you instilled in me the importance to show up for the community. To show up for your people. This goodbye is too hard. But I will pick myself up and believe and have hope and stay positive and laugh and love my loved ones hard and do my best to spread fuckin joy because that’s what you did everyday. We love you Kamar. We always will.

Beth Ann Bonner (ex-Talia): I’m so thankful for the time I shared with Kamar at OLTL. I was such a baby and he taught me a great deal about the industry and about life. Kamar had so much passion. His untimely passing is truly heartbreaking and my sincerest condolences go out to his beautiful wife and family.

Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair): I’m beyond sad to read this news. My heart goes out to Sherri and those beautiful boys. RIP Kamar…

Tika Sumpter (ex-Layla): Rest in paradise dear Kamamr. You made my first set experience memorable and honest. Massive love to his wife Sherri and all who loved him. Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of Our Lives): I’m so sad to hear the news of my friend Kamar de los Reys My thoughts & prayers are with his family & loved ones! Kamar & I shared so many good memories … even though we were on different coasts & soap operas, he welcomed me with open arms & a smile that made everyone feel his love!! When either of us were in the same city we made time together!I will always hold near & dear our talks, it was always deep & real! His love of family, me becoming a father for the first time, our love of the Yankees, smoking cigars, his incredible laugh could bring you to tears, us playing the congas, me not so good to celebrating his brothers music performances in Vegas His amazing love for Caylan, his twins & his incredible wife Sherrie!! Kamar you will always be an amazing reflection of love! Sending all my love to you & your family!

Florencia Lozano (ex-Tea): If it weren’t for Kamar, Téa Delgado would probably never have existed.

I arrived in Llanview playing Kamar’s character (Antonio de la Vega)’s cousin. His confidence and ease and charm immediately made me feel welcome and eager to play. As an actor, he was so much fun to spar with, and as a person, he made me feel right at home and one of the gang at OLTL. May he Rest in Peace. I will miss Kamar’s generous, radiant presence. (Lozano’s quote to SID)

Jacob Young (ex-JR Chandler, All My Children): So deeply sadden to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague Kamar de Los Reyes. As a very young actor there were only a small handful of people in my life that would offer their support in such a competitive industry. Kamar had always been one of them. A true gentleman and beacon of light. I remember one time we were flying back from an event and we were sitting together and I began to nod off, (as one does from a weekend fan event.)

He reached over and adjusted my head and fixed my head rest so I could have a better rest. It’s the simplest things we do as humans that make the biggest impact. I will never forgot that kindness and humanity. Over the years we spent many nights laughing together in Manhattan. One of those nights I remember introducing him to my then girlfriend Christen, who now is my wife, and I said to her, “this is one of the good ones.”

Kamar and I had a love and admiration for each other. I will always remember you in that way. A man who had love for his family, a love for the world, a love for his Puerto Rican culture, a love for music and Salsa dancing! (In fact he tried to teach me many times, even with my two left feet.) My condolences to his family and loved ones. The Lord took another one of his soldiers home. Rest easy Mi Amigo.

Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr): This is awful! RIP, Kamar. Gone too soon.

Priscilla Garita (ex-Anita, All My Children): Rest in eternal stardust. A force of nature. Grateful for having shared life’s precious moments on this earth with you, your beloved wife Sherri, your family, and your friends. We celebrate you forever.

Bree Williamson (ex-Jessica): I’m heartbroken. Looking back on my One Life to Live days there are few memories in which Kamar is not present. He was an incredibly important part of my life for close to 10 years. Then OLTL ended and we all went our separate ways. But when I would see Kamar out in the world, it was if no time had passed- kinda like family – our little OLTL family. It’s incredibly sad to know that I will never be running into this wonderful man again. Goodbye Kamar- you are loved.”

Forbes March (ex-Nash): He was a most excellent wingman through a very tumultuous time. We were pitted against each other and he reacted by taking me out to run the town to the dawn. We ran hard and it was fun to be 30 and with Kamar in NYC. I had recently reached out to him and I was hoping to reconnect. I’ve lost another friend and my sadness grows a little deeper tonight. (A quote to SID)

David Fumero (ex-Cristian): A brother to me from our first introduction. Loved him so much

Ilene Kristen (ex-Roxy): I always enjoyed working with Kamar but we truly bonded over the episode that Tito Puente Jr. was in. Tito was an old friend of mine and I contacted him about appearing on OLTL and Kamar sat in playing percussion with his band. It was a very special day and Kamar kicked butt. The last time I saw him we shared a Bikram Yoga class and after class drenched in sweat we talked about how much we loved to sweat… another very special moment.

Patricia Mauceri (ex-Carlotta): Kamar was a gentle soul, a kind and talented man. It was an honor to work alongside him as his Mom for the years we enjoyed- a life too short. My sincere condolences to his wife, Sherri, and all his family.

Lilly Melgar (ex-Lily, General Hospital): I am gutted by this loss. Life is so f’in fragile!! Kamar was one of a kind. Such a special soul. I was in awe of his growth. His depth. His talent. This is us in the 90s when we went to the Emmys together. We always had the best time – never a dull moment w/Kamar.

We got to work together later in life as I directed him with VO work and he was still the same passionate force of nature w/that vitality of “life” he always emanated. On a personal level, I am deeply saddened to lose you my friend. May you rest in peace & light. Thank you for being there for me when I needed support & guidance. You were so good to me. So kind and generous. I’ll carry that with me forever. So proud of the man you evolved into being. My deepest condolences to his beautiful family. The world lost you way too soon. I’ll always remember you singing Marc Anthony, songs on the streets of NY, dancing in El Floridita & playing the congas at my 30th Bday party.

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