Elizabeth Pena, the versatile actress who shifted between dramatic roles in such films as ââ¬ÅLone Starââ¬Â and comedic parts in TV shows like ââ¬ÅModern Family,ââ¬Â has died. She was 55.
Penaââ¬â¢s manager, Gina Rugolo, said Wednesday the Cuban-American actress died Tuesday in Los Angeles of natural causes after a brief illness. No other details were provided.
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Cuban immigrant parents, Penaââ¬â¢s Hollywood career spanned four decades and included roles in such movies as ââ¬ÅLa Bamba,ââ¬Â ‘ââ¬ËDown and Out in Beverly Hills,ââ¬Â ‘ââ¬ËJacobââ¬â¢s Ladderââ¬Â and ââ¬ÅRush Hour.ââ¬Â In filmmaker John Saylesââ¬â¢ ââ¬ÅLone Star,ââ¬Â she memorably portrayed a history teacher who rekindles a romance with an old flame, played by Chris Cooper.
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Pena appeared on such TV shows as ââ¬ÅL.A. Law,ââ¬Â ‘ââ¬ËDream On,ââ¬Â ‘ââ¬ËResurrection Blvd.ââ¬Â and ââ¬ÅModern Family,ââ¬Â where she played the mother of Sofia Vergaraââ¬â¢s character, Gloria.
She starred in the 1980s sitcom ââ¬ÅI Married Doraââ¬Â in the titular role as a housekeeper from El Salvador who weds her employer to avoid deportation.
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Pena also provided her voice to Disney-Pixarââ¬â¢s ââ¬ÅThe Incredibles,ââ¬Â the ââ¬ÅJustice Leagueââ¬Â cartoon series and Seth MacFarlaneââ¬â¢s ââ¬ÅAmerican Dad.ââ¬Â
Pena most recently appeared on the El Rey Network drama ââ¬ÅMatador.ââ¬Â
ââ¬ÅShe was a role model, a truly extraordinary performer and an inspiration in every sense of the word,ââ¬Â the network said in a statement. ââ¬ÅOur thoughts are with Elizabethââ¬â¢s family and friends during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed.ââ¬Â
She is survived by her husband, two children, mother and sister.
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