Mexican actress Ana Ofelia Murgua, best known for her role in the Disney Pixar animation Coco, has died at the age of 18.
Over four decades of filming, Murgua voiced the character of Mama Coco’s grandmother in the popular children’s film. Before his death, he was recognized as one of the last living stars of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature posted a statement on social media announcing the actress’ death, which read: “We mourn with great sadness the death of Ana Ofelia Murgua, a leading actress part of Mexico’s Stable Cast National Theater Association. Career was crucial to Mexican performing arts.”
“We send our condolences and warm hugs to his family and friends.”
Born in 1933, he enjoyed a distinguished career in the Mexican entertainment industry and was also known for his work on TV and stage.
She has won some of the country’s most prestigious acting awards, including three times as Best Supporting Actress at the 1979, 1986 and 1996 Ariel Awards.
In 2011 he was honored with the Special Lifetime Achievement Golden Ariel Award, which was jointly presented that year to writer-director George Fons.
To English-speaking audiences, he is best known for his role as Coco in the 2017 animated film, which tells the story of a Mexican boy who travels to the land of the dead.
The film seeks to explore Mexican culture and folklore and features an unforgettable duet sung by Murgua’s character and his great-grandson, titled “Remember Me.”
The song won the Best Original Song trophy at the 2018 Academy Awards, beating efforts such as “Mystery of Love” from Call Me By Your Name, “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman.
Coco is also seen as a vivid exploration of death, with independent critic Clarice Loughrey saying: “In Coco, Pixar turns to Mexican tradition to offer a more optimistic approach: ‘The Last Death’ is not seen as an inevitable terror, but as what we Cherishing memories of those we love – living and dead.”
The film itself won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars over nominees such as The Boss Baby, art film Loving Vincent and Irish animation The Breadwinner.
Murgua’s other notable projects include the 1994 film La Reina de la Noche (English title: The Queen of the Night), which follows a cabaret performer who flees Berlin in Nazi Germany for Mexico.
In addition to Ariel’s three wins, she has been nominated for Best Actress five times, and holds the record for the most nominations in the category.
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