Ana Ofelia Murguía, the esteemed Mexican actress best known for her portrayal of “Mama Coco” in Pixar’s 2017 film “Coco,” passed away on Sunday at the age of 90.
Born in Mexico in 1933, Murguía’s illustrious career spanned over four decades, gracing the stage, the silver screen, and television screens with her unparalleled talent.
Her tenure encompassed an impressive array of roles, including memorable appearances in over 70 plays and more than 90 films.
But it’s her remarkable contribution to “Coco,” as a soft-spoken great-grandmother that struck a chord with worldwide audiences, contributing to the film’s global success and her pop icon status as everyone’s great Abuela.
Her sweet duet with her grandson in the movie has over 40 million views on YouTube alone.
“The actress won three Ariel Awards, Mexico’s equivalent of an Oscar, for ‘Cadena Perpetua’ (1979), ‘Los Motivos de Luz’ (1986) and ‘La Reina de la Noche’ (1994). In 2011, she was honored with a Golden Ariel for her lifetime achievements,” the Washington Post writes.
Acknowledged for her versatility, Murguía’s talent transcended borders, earning her international acclaim for her role in Prime Video’s “Mozart in the Jungle” and her memorable performances alongside actors like Gael García Bernal and Victoria Abril.
In the world of animation, Murguía’s portrayal of the Mama Coco in Coco earned her both individual and ensemble Behind the Voice Actors awards for her captivating voice work that breathed life into the pivotal character.
In 2022, she was bestowed with the prestigious Ingmar Bergman Medal by the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
When presented with the medal, Murguía said: “Acting has been my passion, I feel very lucky, I have never suffered. I don’t think it’s a difficult race. It’s not that it isn’t. When you have a passion for something, you don’t let go. If you work and give what you can, there are people who recognize it. That’s wonderful. My life has been very good.”
