A 2022 conversation with THE CLEANING LADY star ADAN CANTO

In 2022, hours before I was scheduled to fly out for a The Cleaning Lady set visit, I tested COVID-positive for the first time. I was devastated as this was something I was so looking forward to. The next day, we did the interviews virtually. I filed my stories featuring the cast member including soundbites from Adan Canto. Adan passed away earlier this year. His absence left a hole in the TCL family but this season poignantly honors his memory and legacy. I always meant to post this long version of our interview as a way of honoring him, too, and for the people who loved him to see him one more time.
He talked about his Marvel and musician past. His love for his TCL family and the strong women in his life including his wife and his leading ladies Elodie Yung and Halle Berry (Bruised). He talked how being immersed in the Northern Mexican culture helped him develop his TCL character Arman. "I always start with his voice, with my characters," he said. "You look for their traumas that they've experienced that they've had and that defines their inner rhythm, their posture, how they walk, how they see the world around them."
He also shared about his experiences as a Mexican American actor. "In Mexico, I struggled to get roles, and in the States, it was hard as well."
In talking about the struggles of undocumented immigrants as portrayed in The Cleaning Lady, he recounted a random conversation with a stranger in Las Vegas that stuck with him. There was also his story about running in cowboy boots.
In less than 15 minutes of interaction, it was easy to see how amazing and kind he was.
When we wrapped with the interview, I reached for my ginger tea and said that I was happy that at least I didn't cough as the virus ran its worst in my body. He wished me well and said, "God bless you."
God bless YOU, Adan. You were/are loved.
Love and prayers to his loved ones.