‘I’ve Just Learned The Heartbreaking News’: Pixar’s Coco Director Pays Tribute After Abuelita Actress Dies

by

In terms of arranging Pixar’s films, I would place “Coco” near the top. This 2017 supernatural family movie was a massive success upon its release, earning praise from both audiences and critics before ultimately winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. One of the standout features of this beloved film is the exceptional voice acting, with every cast member delivering stellar performances. Renée Victor, who played the stern yet loving Abuelita, was no exception. Regrettably, Victor has recently passed away, and the director of the animated film is now expressing his tribute.

News of the Texas native’s death broke on Saturday, with Deadline reporting that the veteran actress died at her home at the age of 86 due to complications from lymphoma. Lee Unkrich, who directed the late star in Coco, spoke out after learning of his collaborator’s passing. The filmmaker memorialized the A Night In Old Mexico alum on Instagram by sharing a side-by-side photo of her and her character. Via his caption, Unkrich also shared a message through which he expressed sadness over the loss:

It is with great sadness that I’ve recently discovered the heart-wrenching news: Renée Victor, the remarkable actress who lent her voice to Abuelita in Coco, has sadly passed away. Known for her exceptional acting and dancing abilities, Renée took immense pride in her role in this beloved film. This loss is truly devastating; I’m left feeling utterly heartbroken.

1938 saw the birth of Renée Victor, a versatile actress and dancer whose work graced both film and television screens. She made her big-screen debut in 1988’s “Salsa” and later appeared in notable films such as “Assassination Tango,” “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones,” and more recently, “Superfly” (2018). On the small screen, Victor is particularly recognized for her portrayal of Lupita in the successful Showtime series “Weeds.” Additionally, she garnered attention through roles on “Snowpiercer,” “Witches of East End,” “Mayans M.C.,” and “Dead to Me.

In the heartwarming, humorous, and culturally rich movie “Coco,” which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription, the character played by a former student of Vida undeniably gained more recognition as Abuelita. In the story, Abuelita prohibits music in her family due to her grandfather’s departure from their clan to become a musician many years ago. However, this strict matriarch softens her stance when she uncovers some surprising family secrets. Despite being quite exaggerated, Abuelita is brilliantly brought to life on screen, and the accolades given by Lee Unkrich are certainly deserved.

Renée Victor’s passing occurred several months following the announcement that Pixar was planning to produce “Coco 2” during a 2025 Disney Shareholders Meeting. Although fans have speculated about the sequel’s plot, specific details are currently not available. As a result, it remains uncertain whether Abuelita (or other secondary characters) will make an appearance in the upcoming film.

Regardless of how the film unfolds, it’s heart-wrenching to consider that Lee Unkrich won’t have the chance to collaborate again with the late Abuelita actress for it. Her absence will undoubtedly be deeply felt by those who knew and worked alongside her. However, perhaps there is some comfort in knowing that they were fortunate enough to work with such a highly respected actress.

At TopMob, we offer our heartfelt sympathies to Renée Victor’s family and friends as they navigate through this difficult period.

Read More

2025-06-01 19:37