Renée Victor, the actress best known for her voice role as Abuelita in the beloved animated film Coco and arc as Lupita on Showtime’s Weeds, died surrounded by her family at her Sherman Oaks, Calif. home last night, her agency told Deadline.
Her cause of death was lymphoma.
“Renee is perhaps best known as the voice of ‘Abuelita’ in Disney’s 2017 blockbuster Coco,” a statement from her daughters Raquel Victor and Margo Victor read in part. “Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.”
Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1938, she was the eldest of three sisters. She moved to Los Angeles in the ’60s, where she launched her career in entertainment as a singer for prominent bandleaders who spearheaded the popularity of Latin music in the U.S., including Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado. At this time, she also served as a dance instructor, teaching salsa and tango. Having met her husband in these circles, she and her husband traveled globally to perform together under the banner “Ray & Renee” — nicknamed the Latin Sonny & Cher — from 1963 to 1973.
In the ’70s, she hosted KTLA’s Pacesetters, which highlighted the Chicano Power movement. After joining the Screen Actors Guild in 1973, she eventually transitioned to television and film work in the ’80s, scoring appearances in series like Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Matlock. Her film credits include The Doctor alongside William Hurt, as well asThe Apostle and A Night in Old Mexico, featuring close friend Robert Duvall.
Other notable credits included a recurring role on ER as Florina Lopez, voice acting for the 1992 animated series The Addams Family, and recent appearances on shows like Vida, Gentefied, All Rise, Snowpiercer, Mayans M.C., Dead to Me, A Million Little Things and With Love.
The post Renée Victor, Voice Of Abuelita In ‘Coco’ & ‘Weeds’ Actress, Dies appeared first on Deadline.
