Disney's Mama Coco voice actress Ana Ofelia Murguía dies aged 90

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By Nasima Khatun

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Ana Ofelia Murguía has passed away aged 90.

Murguía, a Mexican actress best known for voicing Mama Coco in the animated movie Coco, sadly died on Sunday.

The tragic news was confirmed by Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and National Theater Company on Twitter, better known now as X.

"With deep sadness, we regret the sensitive death of the first actress Ana Ofelia Murguía, who was part of the stable cast of the @CNTeatromx del #INBAL and whose artistic career was vital for the performing arts of Mexico," the company wrote in a translated post alongside a photo of the star.

"We send condolences and warm hugs to his family and friends," they added.

In a separate post, The National Theater Company described Murguía as "one of Mexico’s greatest actresses" while Lucina Jiménez López, the director of the National Institute of Fine Arts, described her career as one that "marked an entire era."

While Murguía has been performing for over seven decades, often taking on the roles of villains in Mexico's film and entertainment industry, she gained global notoriety for her stint in Disney's Oscar-winning animated film, Coco.

Coco tells the story of 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. The 2017 animation was well-received by fans and critics alike and even went on to secure some big awards including two Academy awards; one for Best Animated Feature and the other for Best Original Song for 'Remember Me', which Murguía sings at the film’s end in a duet with Anthony Gonzalez, who voiced Miguel, Coco’s great-grandson.

Murguía was born on Dec. 8, 1933, in Mexico City. She initially studied acting at Mexico’s National School of Theater Arts and made her stage debut in 1954 in a play titled Trial By Fire.

Her first screen role was in the 1964 film Transit, which according to its official IMDb page follows the story of a doctor "who is committed against the revolution decides to escape in a boat. A criminal friend introduced him to a modest revolutionary family to cover it up."

"During the events aspects of a society in transition are reflected," the description adds.

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Ana Ofelia Murguia has sadly passed away aged 90. Credit: Francisco Estrada/Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty

As per The New York Times, the star would go on to feature in more than 70 plays and 90 films.

Murguía also has a massive list of accolades to prove that she is good as what she does. She's won best supporting actress for her performances in Cadena Perpetua, in 1979; Los Motivos de Luz, in 1986; and La Reina de la Noche (The Queen of the Night), in 1996.

She was also nominated for best actress five times but never won. In 2011, she was recognized with a Golden Ariel special lifetime achievement award.

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Ana Ofelia Murguia is awarded during the ceremony of Ariel Awards 2011 at Bellas Artes. Credit: Alejandro Godinez / Clasos.com / LatinContent / Getty

In April last year, she was awarded the Ingmar Bergman Medal from the National Autonomous University of Mexico for leaving an "indelible mark" on Mexican film and theatre.

No cause of death has yet been provided.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Murguía's family and her loved ones during this difficult time.

Feature Image Credit: Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty