Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Overture Films(NEW YORK) — Elizabeth Peña, the actress best known for roles in movies including La Bamba and Rush Hour, and who played Sofia Vergara’s hot-tempered mother Pilar on Modern Family, has died.
Peña, who won an Independent Spirit Award for John Sayles’ Lone Star, and who also voiced a major character in The Incredibles, just turned 55 years old late last month.
A nephew of the actress noted online that the performer died Tuesday after an undisclosed illness.
Robert Rodriguez, who created the Spanish language El Rey Network, on which Pena’s last project, the drama Matador aired, tweeted his condolences, posting, he was “devastated” to hear about the passing of, “A lovely friend and wonderful actress,” saying, “She will be truly missed.”
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio
