Australian Actor Eka Darville Mourns the Loss of his Son to Rare Brain Tumor
Renowned Australian actor Eka Darville is going through a heart-wrenching period as he mourns the loss of his 10-year-old son, Mana, who lost his battle with an aggressive glioneuronal brain tumor. Darville, famous for his roles in “Power Rangers RPM” and Marvel’s “Jessica Jones” and “The Defenders,” put his career on hold earlier this year to support his son through his medical journey.
After receiving the devastating news that there was little more doctors could do in Australia, Darville and his wife, Lila, made the decision to move their family to the United States. In April, Mana underwent a high-risk marathon surgery to remove as much of the primary tumor as possible. The updates on Mana’s condition and recovery were kept private until recently when Darville disclosed that the tumor was growing back at an alarming rate, urging his fans to keep his son in their prayers.
Tragically, Mana passed away over the weekend, as revealed by Darville’s mother, Malaika, in a heartbreaking video shared on the Let’s Go Mana page. In the video, Malaika expressed both grief and joy, remembering Mana’s incredible journey and the impact he had on people’s lives. She believes that Mana will always be watching over his younger brothers, Zion and Axé.
The news of Mana’s passing elicited an outpouring of tributes from followers who had been following his journey. Fellow actress Isabel Lucas and LA-based Aussie actress Teresa Palmer were among the high-profile stars who offered their condolences.
Determined to find the best medical care available, Darville had plans to seek additional treatments from Europe and Japan to support Mana’s fight against the tumor. Despite months of stability and miraculous progress in his physical rehab, the tumor resurfaced and began growing faster than ever. Darville and his family remained steadfast in their commitment to Mana’s complete healing.
Mana’s battle began when he collapsed on a beach in July 2022, experiencing a seizure that paralyzed the right side of his body. Initially misdiagnosed with Focal Cortical Dysplasia, an abnormality thought to have been present since birth, Mana continued to suffer daily uncontrolled seizures. It wasn’t until January that an MRI revealed two large tumors on the surface of his brain, leading to the extensive operation.
Eka Darville, originally from Byron Bay in northern NSW, has made a name for himself with his roles in various TV shows and films, such as “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” “Power Rangers RPM,” and “Spartacus.” His latest project, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” is set to release in 2024.
Darville met his wife, Lila, in 2011. Lila, who has worked as the pleasure director for Magic Mike Live Las Vegas and is a sex and intimacy coach, remains offline on her Instagram page under the username lovinglila.
