Ana Ofelia Murguía, the Mexican actress who portrayed the title character of the Disney and Pixar film Coco, has died at the age of 90.
Her death was announced “with deep sadness.” on social media from the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature of Mexico, which said Murguía's “artistic career is crucial to Mexico's performing arts.” Her cause of death was not stated.
“We extend our condolences and warm hugs to her family and friends,” the institute added.
With deep sadness she complains about the sensible decision of the first actress Ana Ofelia Murguía, who is part of the stable cast @CNTeatromx del #INBAL And your artist is vital to Mexico's artistic scenes.
Enviamos condolencias y abrazamos con… pic.twitter.com/BnEkpxG4k2
— National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (@bellasartesinba) December 31, 2023
Murguía, who was born in Mexico City in 1933, portrayed the older Mamá Coco in the 2017 film. It's about a little boy who travels to the land of the dead during the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos and uncovers a family secret. Coco won two Oscars, for Best Animated Film and for Best Original Song for Remember Me, which Murguía sings at the end of the film in a duet with Miguel, Coco's great-grandson.
Prior to her role in the Academy Award-winning animated film, Murguía was well-known in Mexico, often playing villains in more than 100 roles on stage, film and television over seven decades.
She studied acting at the National School of Theater Arts in Mexico. Her first role was in the 1954 play Trial By Fire, and her first film role was a decade later in the 1964 film Transit.
She won Best Supporting Actress at the Ariel Awards, Mexico's premier acting awards, in 1979, 1986 and 1996 for films such as “La Reina de la Noche” (The Queen of the Night), about a cabaret singer who starts a new life in Mexico after leaving the country Nazi Germany. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress three additional times and held the record for Best Actress nominations without a win with five nominations.
Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) and Mamá Coco (Ana Ofelia Murguía) in Coco. Photo: Disney/Pixar/Kobal/Rex/ShutterstockIn 2011, Murguía won the Golden Ariel Award for Lifetime Achievement, which honored significant figures in the Mexican cinema industry. She was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, when the country's film industry flourished in the 1940s and '50s.
Her last role was in the 2018 series José José: El Príncipe de la Canción, a fictional biography about the Mexican pop singer.
When Murguía accepted the Medalla Cátedra Bergman (the Ingmar Bergman Chairman's Medal) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in April for her contributions to the industry, she told the audience, “Acting was the passion of my life, which I never worked on.” collect an award. I have always loved this profession because I found it purely by chance. I am happy. I feel like a very lucky woman.”