Elizabeth Pe帽a of 'Modern Family,' 'La Bamba' dies
Pe帽a recently appeared in such films as 'The Incredibles" and 'Plush' as well as TV programs including 'Modern Family' and 'American Dad.'
Elizabeth Pe帽a arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of 'Nothing Like the Holidays.'
Mark J. Terrill/AP
Elizabeth Pe帽a, the versatile actress who shifted between dramatic roles in such films as "Lone Star" and comedic parts in TV shows like "Modern Family," has died. She was 55.
Pe帽a's聽manager, Gina Rugolo, said Wednesday the Cuban-American actress died Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Born in聽Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Cuban immigrant parents, Pe帽a's聽Hollywood career spanned four decades and included roles in such movies as "La Bamba," ''Down and Out in Beverly Hills," ''Jacob's Ladder," and "Rush Hour." In his review, Monitor film critic David Sterritt wrote that Pe帽a聽provides 鈥渟olid support鈥� to the lead actors in 鈥淟a Bamba.鈥� In filmmaker John Sayles' "Lone Star," she memorably portrayed a history teacher who rekindles a romance with an old flame, played by Chris Cooper. She also starred in such films as the 2005 movie 鈥淗ow the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer,鈥� the 2005 film 鈥淭ransamerica,鈥� the 2008 movie 鈥淣othing Like the Holidays,鈥� and the 2011 film 鈥淭he Perfect Family.鈥�
Pe帽a聽appeared on such TV shows as "L.A. Law," ''Dream On," ''Resurrection Blvd.," and "Modern Family," where she played the mother of Sofia Vergara's character, Gloria.
She starred in the 1980s sitcom "I Married Dora" in the titular role as a housekeeper from El Salvador who weds her employer to avoid deportation.
Pe帽a聽also provided her voice to Disney-Pixar's "The Incredibles" as mysterious villainess Mirage, the "Justice League" cartoon series as Paran Dul, and Seth MacFarlane's "American Dad."
Pe帽a聽most recently appeared on the El Rey Network drama "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聽Elizabeth's聽family and friends during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed."
She is survived by her husband, two children, mother, and sister.