Ana Ofelia Murguia, the acclaimed Mexican actress renowned for lending her voice to the lead character in Disney and Pixar’s 2017 animated masterpiece ‘Coco,’ has passed away at the age of 90, according to Variety. Murguia played a pivotal role in the film, which garnered two Academy Awards for Best Animated Movie and Original Song for “Remember Me.”
In ‘Coco,’ a poignant exploration of Mexican culture, Murguia portrayed the elderly Mama Coco, whose great-grandson, Miguel, triggers a journey to the realm of the dead on Dia de los Muertos. The film delicately weaves themes of family and mortality, with Murguia’s character playing a significant role in the emotional conclusion, singing the poignant title song, “Remember Me,” alongside Miguel.
The film received widespread acclaim for its authentic representation of Mexican culture and its courage in addressing profound themes within the context of a children’s film.
In tribute to Ana Ofelia Murguia, Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature expressed their condolences, stating, “With deep sadness, we regret the sensitive death of the first actress Ana Ofelia Murguia, who was part of the stable cast of the @CNTeatromx del #INBAL and whose artistic career was vital for the performing arts of Mexico. We send condolences and warm hugs to his family and friends.”
Con profunda tristeza lamentamos el sensible deceso de la primera actriz Ana Ofelia Murguía, quien formaba parte del elenco estable de la @CNTeatromx del #INBAL y cuya trayectoria artística fue vital para las artes escénicas de México.
Enviamos condolencias y abrazamos con… pic.twitter.com/BnEkpxG4k2
— Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (@bellasartesinba) December 31, 2023
About Ana Ofelia Murguia
Born in Mexico in 1933, Murguia was honored with the Golden Ariel special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 at an event celebrating the pinnacle of Mexican cinema, as reported by Variety. The award was jointly presented to her and writer-director Jorge Fons. Over the course of her career, Murguia clinched the Best Supporting Actress title at the Ariel Awards, Mexico’s equivalent of the Oscars, three times—in 1979, 1986, and 1996.
With a career boasting over 100 acting credits, Murguia marked her debut on an episode of the Mexican drama “La Tormenta.” Among her notable roles are “The Queen of the Night” in 1994, “Mi Querido Tom Mix” in 1992, and “Life Sentence” in 1979.
In 2018, Murguia’s last known acting endeavor was in an episode of “Jose Jose: El Principe de la Cancion,” a fictionalized portrayal of the life of the renowned Mexican singer.