Actress Elizabeth Peña, of Modern Family & La Bamba fame dies
You might recognize her most recent from her comedic parts in Modern Family or her roles in older movies such as La Bamba and Rush…
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You might recognize her most recent from her comedic parts in Modern Family or her roles in older movies such as La Bamba and Rush Hour. Cuban-American Hollywood star Elizabeth Peña died Wednesday night.
Peñas manager, Gina Rugolo, told the Associated Press she died Tuesday in Los Angeles of natural causes after a brief illness. No other details were provided.
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Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Cuban immigrant parents, Peña’s Hollywood career spanned four decades and included roles in such movies as ”Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” ”Jacob’s Ladder” and “Rush Hour.” In filmmaker John Sayles’ “Lone Star,” she memorably portrayed a history teacher who rekindles a romance with an old flame, played by Chris Cooper.
In addition to playing Gloria’s (played by Sofia Vergara) mother on “Modern Family” she’s had many roles in the small screen. This includes regular appearances on the crime drama “Matador” a Latin American housekeeper in the 1987 sitcom “I Married Dora,” as well as roles in “L.A. Law” and “Dream On”.
Her most recent role on TV could be seen on El Rey Network’s “Matador.”
“She was a role model, a truly extraordinary performer and an inspiration in every sense of the word,” the network said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Elizabeth’s family and friends during this difficult time. She ?will be deeply missed.” She is survived by her husband, two children, mother and sister.
Peña is survived by her husband, two children, mother and sister.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
