The CW’s 'All American' Pays Tribute to Kamar de los Reyes with Coach Montes' Emotional Departure

How All American Wrote Off Kamar de los Reyes Character After His Death

Kamar de los Reyes Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

The CW’s All American paid tribute to Kamar de los Reyes as his character was written off the show following the actor’s passing.

After the show's 100th episode, All American returned on Monday, June 3, with an update on de los Reyes’ character, Coach Montes. De los Reyes portrayed the coach of Coastal California in season 4 but had to step back from the show due to battling cancer. Unfortunately, de los Reyes only appeared in the season 6 premiere as that was the only episode he was able to film before his passing.

In Monday's episode, Coach Montes' story line concluded with the reveal that he was taking a job with the NFL. Asher chose to avoid Coach Montes to avoid saying goodbye. However, after receiving a parting gift from Coach Montes' wife, Asher decided to call him and give a proper farewell to his boss, mentor, and friend. The episode also included a tribute card at the end in honor of de los Reyes.

Earlier this year, Cody Christian, who is 29 years old, shared his experience of grieving de los Reyes after working closely with him.

Christian shared with We in April that he felt incredibly fortunate to have connected with a man on a deep personal level. During a difficult period in his life, this man served as a mentor and provided much-needed support outside of work.

Over the years, Christian developed a strong and genuine bond with de los Reyes. He emphasized the authenticity and strength of their connection, describing it as a valuable experience. Working with him was truly a blessing, and Christian cherished the opportunity to collaborate with him one final time.

Cody Christian as Asher Adams

Cody Christian as Asher Adams. The CW

The actor found it very challenging to share the screen with de los Reyes while he was battling his health issues. Christian admitted that it was one of the toughest experiences in his career and personal life. This was the first time that his real-life struggles directly influenced his work in a significant way. Despite the difficulty, Christian recognized the importance of the situation. When they resumed filming, de los Reyes expressed his strong desire to be on set, which made the experience even more meaningful. Christian shared that he will always treasure the moments he had with de los Reyes on set before his unfortunate passing. These memories are something he will cherish forever.

Christian shared his thoughts on the impact of his character Asher's direction in the show, expressing how significant this season has been for him. He mentioned how he constantly thinks about Asher even after his character's departure, emphasizing the lasting impression Asher had on him and the storyline. Christian reflected on the importance of his final scene, describing it as a memorable moment where he felt a strong connection to his character. He acknowledged Asher's powerful presence and the impact he had on the show.

Following a brief battle with cancer, de los Reyes passed away at the age of 56 in December 2023. He is survived by his wife Sherri Saum, whom he married in 2007 and acted alongside on One Life to Live. The couple had 9-year-old twins named John and Michael. In addition to his twins, de los Reyes was also a father to his son Caylen, 26, from a previous relationship. He is remembered by his parents, Matilde and Walfredo, as well as his four siblings: brothers Daniel and Walfredo Jr., and sisters Lily and Ilde.

De los Reyes is known for his roles on Sleepy Hollow and The Rookie. He also portrayed Menendez in multiple Call of Duty video games and had a long-running role as cop Antonio Vega on One Life to Live.

All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll released a statement following the news of De los Reyes' passing.

Carroll expressed deep sadness over the passing of Kamar in December 2023. Kamar was a cherished member of the All American family, bringing love, light, and joy to the set every day, even until the end. The team is thankful for every moment spent with him. They send their heartfelt condolences to Kamar's family, including Sherri, Caylen, Michael, and John. They appreciate the family for sharing Kamar with them and the world. Kamar was truly a gift that will always be treasured.

Editor's P/S:

The article pays tribute to the late actor Kamar de los Reyes, who played Coach Montes in The CW's "All American." After his passing, the show wrote off his character in a touching episode that included a tribute card. Former co-star Cody Christian shared his experience of grieving the loss of a close friend and mentor, describing the challenge of working alongside Reyes while he battled cancer.

Reyes' passing is a reminder of the impact that cancer has on individuals and their loved ones. His legacy as an actor and a mentor will continue to inspire those who knew him and those who enjoyed his work. The article highlights the importance of cherishing the time we have with others and the value of genuine connections.