Ana Ofelia Murguía, one of Mexico’s most acclaimed actresses, who gained worldwide recognition for her exceptional portrayal of Mama Coco in the animated film "Coco," passed away on Sunday at 90. Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and National Theater Company confirms the news of her passing, without disclosing the cause of death.
Played the key role of 'Mama' Coco
In Disney's Pixar Animation Studios' 2017 movie "Coco," Ana Ofelia Murguía lent her voice to the beloved character "Mama Coco" in the widely adored Pixar movie "Coco."In the animated movie Coco, Murguía portrays the key role of Mama Coco, the great-grandmother of a boy, protagonist boy 'Miguel', who finds himself in the land of the dead on a journey to uncover his family's history.
During their adventure, Miguel and Mama Coco sing the beautiful song "Remember Me" together. Before "Coco," Murguía was already famous in Mexico, but the movie introduced her to the world. The film centred on the Mexican holiday called the Day of the Dead, received praise for its depiction of Mexican culture and its treatment of serious topics such as death in a movie for children. It was honoured with the awards for Best-animated Feature and Best Original Song, "Remember Me," at the 2018 Oscars.
Life, Career and Achievements
Ana Ofelia Murguía was born in Mexico City on December 8, 1933. She attended Mexico's National School of Theater Arts and began her acting career in 1954 with the play "Trial By Fire." In 1964, she made her first appearance on screen in the film "Transit."
She would go on to appear in over 70 plays and 90 films, working with some of the best filmmakers in Mexico. She was hailed for her versatility and often played the role of the villain or antagonist, as stated by the Institute of Fine Arts and National Theater Company.
Murguía was honoured at the esteemed Ariel Awards in Mexico, where she won the best supporting actress category for her outstanding performances in three films: "Cadena Perpetua" in 1979, "Los Motivos de Luz" in 1986, and "La Reina de la Noche" (The Queen of the Night) in 1996. Although she received five nominations for Best Actress, she unfortunately never took home the award. However, in 2011, her remarkable contributions to the film industry were acknowledged with a special lifetime achievement award, the Golden Ariel.
She received the prestigious Ingmar Bergman Medal from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in April 2023, in recognition of her significant contributions to Mexican film and theatre.
(With Input from agencies)
Photo Courtesy: The New York Times
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