Ana Ofelia Murguía, the voice of Mamá Coco in Disney’s 2017 Oscar-winning animated film Coco and a star during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, has died. The Mexican actress crossed the Marigold Bridge at the age of 90.
According to Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature, Murguía died on December 31, 2023. “With deep sadness, we regret the sensitive death of leading 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 institute wrote on social media. “We send condolences and warm hugs to his family and friends.”
Murguía was born in Mexico City in 1933. She was nominated 17 times for an Ariel Award (Mexico’s equivalent to the Oscars) and won three times. Her wins all came in the Best Supporting Actress category for the films Life Sentence in 1979, Los motivos de Luz in 1986 and The Queen of the Night in 1996.
The Best Actress roles she was nominated for include Naufragio in 1978, Mi querido Tom Mix in 1993, El anzuelo in 1996, De muerte natural in 1997, and Escrito en el cuerpo de la noche in 2001. In 2011, Murguía was also awarded a Special Golden Ariel Award, which is the highest honor given by the Mexican film industry.
Actress Alanna Ubach, who voiced Mamá Imelda in Coco, called Murguía a “queen” on social media.
Coco won both Oscars that it was nominated for – Best Animated Feature and Best Song (“Remember Me”). “Remember Me” is sung by Murguía and actor Anthony Gonzalez, who voices Miguel, at the end of Coco, during a scene that brought tears to everyone’s eyes.