Mexican actor Ana Ofelia Murguía, known for her role as the voice of the main character in the Disney and Pixar movie Coco, passed away at the age of 90.
The National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature in Mexico shared on social media that the passing of Murguía was announced with great sorrow. They acknowledged her significant contributions to the performing arts in Mexico and did not disclose the reason for her death.
The institute added that they are sending condolences and warm hugs to the family and friends of the person.
Murguía, who was born in Mexico City in 1933, voiced the elderly Mamá Coco in the 2017 film, which follows a young boy as he crosses over to the land of the dead during the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos and uncovers a family secret. Coco won two Academy awards, for best animated feature and for best original song for Remember Me, which Murguía sings at the film’s end in a duet with Miguel, Coco’s great-grandson.
Prior to her involvement in the award-winning animated movie, Murguía was a prominent figure in Mexico and frequently portrayed antagonists in over 100 performances across theater, cinema, and TV for over 70 years.
She attended the National School of Theatre Arts in Mexico to study acting. In 1954, she made her debut in the play Trial By Fire, and ten years later, in 1964, she landed her first on-screen role in the film Transit.
In 1979, 1986, and 1996, she was honored with the best supporting actress award at the prestigious Ariel awards in Mexico. Her notable performances in films such as “La Reina de la Noche” earned her this recognition. The plot of the film revolves around a woman who escapes Nazi Germany and begins a new life in Mexico as a cabaret artist. While she was also nominated for best supporting actress three more times, she holds the record for the most nominations without a win in the best actress category, having been nominated five times.
In 2011, Murguía was honored with the prestigious Golden Ariel award for her lifetime achievements in the Mexican film industry. She was among the few remaining iconic figures from the bustling era of Mexican cinema in the 1940s and 50s.
In 2018, she had her last appearance in the series “José José: El Príncipe de la Canción,” which was a dramatized biography of the popular Mexican singer.
In April, during the ceremony for the Medalla Cátedra Bergman (the Ingmar Bergman chair medal) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Murguía expressed her gratitude for the recognition of her contributions to the industry. She shared with the audience, “Acting has always been my life’s passion. I have never pursued awards, but rather have always cherished this career that I stumbled upon by chance. I am grateful and feel fortunate to be a part of it.”
Source: theguardian.com
