Latest news with #ReneeVictor
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Renee Victor, the voice of no-nonsense Abuelita in 'Coco,' dies at 86
Published Jun 02, 2025 • 2 minute read Renee Victor appears at the premiere of "Coco" in Los Angeles on Nov. 8, 2017. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Renee Victor, who voiced the no-nonsense, sandal-throwing Abuelita in Disney's animated hit 'Coco' and played the wisecracking Lupita on Showtime's 'Weeds,' has died. She was 86. Victor's death was confirmed on Monday by a representative, Julie Smith, who said the actor had lymphoma for several years. She died Friday at her home in Sherman Oaks, California, Smith said, with family by her side. A post on the Instagram feed of Pixar, which produced 'Coco,' said: 'We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Renee Victor, the voice (of) Abuelita in 'Coco' and an incredible part of the Pixar family. We will always remember you.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Victor appeared in 22 episodes of 'Weeds' as sassy housekeeper Lupita between 2005 and 2012, among many other TV credits including 'ER,' 'Matlock' and 'The Addams Family.' But she was perhaps best known for what she called the chancla-throwing grandmother in 'Coco,' the 2017 family-friendly movie that explored death through the journey of a young Mexican boy to the land of the dead. 'I play the part of 'Abuelita,' the chancla throwing grandma that preaches 'No Music!'' she wrote on Instagram, looking back several years ago. 'Enjoy 'Coco' with your family this Dia de los Muertos and forever more!' She also looked back at 'The Apostle,' the 1997 movie that Robert Duvall wrote, directed and starred in. 'He took a chance on me with this film,' Victor wrote on Instagram. 'This is where I got my nickname 'one take Renee,'' she said, adding laughter emojis. 'I had a small role but what a great one! Can somebody give me an amen?!' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Born in San Antonio, Texas, on July 25, 1938, Victor began her performing career as a singer and dancer. She moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, according to biography material provided by her representatives, where she launched her career singing with prominent big band leaders Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado. She also taught Latin dancing, including the salsa and tango. She met her future husband, Ray, during that period, and from 1963 to 1973, they performed together as 'Ray & Renee,' a variety show took them around the world — including Australia, where 'they enjoyed particular fame,' the materials said. In the 1970s, Victor hosted the 'Pacesetters' public affairs show on KTLA, her representatives said, and by the '80s had moved into TV and film work. Her film credits, other than 'The Apostle,' included the 2014 horror film 'Paranormal Activity 5: The Marked Ones,' 'The Doctor' with William Hurt (1991), and 'A Night in Old Mexico' (2013), also with Duvall. In 2004, she had a recurring role as Florina Lopez on TV's 'ER,' and the following year was cast in 'Weeds.' Other series credits included 'Snowpiercer' (2020-2021), 'Mayans M.C.' (2022), 'Dead to Me' (2020-2022), and Amazon's 'With Love' (2021-2023). Victor is survived by her daughters, Raquel and Margo Victor, Smith said. Toronto Maple Leafs Olympics News Toronto Blue Jays Sunshine Girls
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Renée Victor, ‘Coco' voice actress and ‘Weeds' star, dead at 86
Renée Victor, who voiced Abuelita in the Disney film 'Coco' and starred in the Showtime series 'Weeds,' has died at age 86. Victor passed away after a battle with lymphoma on Friday. She was surrounded by her family at her Sherman Oaks, Calif. home, her agent confirmed to Deadline. Her daughters, Raquel Victor and Margo Victor, said in a statement: 'Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.' Advertisement 10 Renée Victor at the 'Coco' premiere in Los Angeles in Nov. 2017. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Victor was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 25, 1938. She moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s and became a singer. After meeting her husband through dance classes, they began performing as the duo 'Ray & Renée' — nicknamed the Latin Sonny and Cher — from 1963 to 1973. Advertisement 10 Abuelita (Renee Victor) and Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) in 'Coco.' Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection 10 Mary-Louise Parker, Romany Malco, Tess Paras, Renee Victor, Becky Thyre in 'Weeds.' Showtime Networks Inc./Courtesy Everett Collection 10 Natalie Morales, Renee Victor in 'Dead to Me.' Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Victor began working in television after she hosted the KTLA program 'Pacesetters,' which highlighted the Chicano Power movement, and joined the Screen Actors Guild Award. Advertisement She made her acting debut in the soap opera 'Hotel' in 1983, followed by roles in 'Masquerade,' 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King' and 'Matlock.' 10 Renee Victor at the 'With Love' Season 2 screening at the 2023 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Variety via Getty Images 10 Pepe Serna, Constance Marie, Todd Grinnell, Renee Victor, Benito Martinez and Vincent Rodriguez III at the 'With Love' Season 2 special screening. Variety via Getty Images Advertisement On the big screen, she appeared in 'Salsa,' 'The Doctor,' 'Steal Big Steal Little,' 'The Apostle' and 'The Prophecy II' early in her career. Victor's other notable acting credits included recurring roles in 'ER,' 'Vida,' 'Snowpiercer,' 'Dead to Me,' 'With Love,' 'Mayans M.C.' and 'A Million Little Things.' She also voice acted in 'The Addams Family' animated series. 10 Renee Victor attends Day 1 of the Kari Feinstein Style Lounge at the Andaz Hotel in 2018. Omar Vega/Invision/AP In 2005, she joined the cast of 'Weeds' as Lupita, Nancy Botwin's (Mary-Louise Parker) housekeeper. The Showtime series, which also starred Elizabeth Perkins, Justin Kirk, Tonye Patano, Romany Malco, Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould, aired from 2005 to 2012. 10 Renee Victor at a Golden Globes party in West Hollywood in 2006. Getty Images In 2017, Victor voiced Abuelita in the beloved Disney animated flick 'Coco,' which grossed over $800 million at the worldwide box office and won two Oscars: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for 'Remember Me.' Pixar shared a tribute to Victor on Instagram following the news of her death. Advertisement 'We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Renée Victor, the voice Abuelita in Coco and an incredible part of the Pixar family. We will always remember you🧡,' the post read. 10 The cast of 'Coco' at the film's premiere in Los Angeles in Nov. 2017. Getty Images for Disney 10 Renee Victor receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Conga Room at LA Live in Los Angeles in March 2024. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement In a previous interview with Clover Health, Victor gushed over her career and said that acting 'keeps everything sharp.' 'Memorization, blocking, wardrobe, hair, makeup, and the process of getting into your character requires constant investigation and imagination,' she said, 'because the more you do with your character, the more you discover.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Weeds star dead after battle with lymphoma
Weeds star Renee Victor has passed away at the age of 86 following a battle with lymphoma - a form of blood cancer. The late actress - who had portrayed housemaid Lupita in the hit drama series - died on Friday at her Sherman Oaks home while surrounded by her family, her agency confirmed to Deadline. She was known for a decades-long career in both television and film - and notably also voiced the character of Abuelita in the Pixar animated movie Coco (2017). Victor's daughters Raquel and Margo released a statement as they honored their mother's legacy. 'Renee is perhaps best known as the voice of "Abuelita" in Disney's 2017 blockbuster. Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her,' her children expressed. Social media users jumped to X to mourn the loss of Victor upon hearing the news of her death. One penned, 'RIP Renee Victor. She was amazing as Abuelita in Coco and will always be remembered.' 'Thank you for giving us Abuelita. Rest in peace, Renee Victor. Your voice lives on in our hearts,' another wrote, while a fan also shared, 'RIP to an icon.' Another added, 'RIP Renee, you are in a wonderful place now,' while others referenced to the upcoming sequel Coco 2. It was announced a few months earlier in March that a second installment is currently in the works - with a set release date for 2029. 'Just as the series is getting second movie how awful,' one said of the late star's passing, and another typed out, 'They must make a tribute to her in Coco 2, rest in peace.' Victor was born on July 25, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas and later moved to Los Angeles in the 60s. Renee's career in the entertainment industry began in the 1980s when she took on small roles in shows such as Hotel and Matlock. In 1992, she voiced numerous roles over the span of 13 episodes for the animated series The Addams Family. And throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Victor made appearances in other shows such as Team Knight Rider, The Tony Danza Show, Four Corners and That's Life. From 2008-2009, the actress took on the role of Consuela in Tyler Perry's series House Of Payne. She also starred in a total off 22 episodes as the housemaid Lupita in Weeds - which had also cast Mary-Louise Parker, Andy Milder and Justin Kirk. Victor then ventured over to the horror genre when she played Irma Arista in Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. During a past interview with Scene Creek, the star reflected on her time filming the movie in the franchise. At one point, Renee expressed, 'When I was doing the scenes for Paranormal I always felt the back of my hair pulling a little bit. 'Especially when I did that scene with Andrew Jacobs where he grabs my arm. That frightened me, it really frightened me.' In regards to the script, Victor also revealed that most of what she said in the film had been 'improvised.' 'I think everything I said was improvised. That was part of the audition that I did. My Spanish was tested, number one. And as well as my English of course.' She added, 'Also being able to switch from one to the other quickly and still make sense and have the ability to speak Spanish in such a way that it left no wonder to the non-Spanish speaking audience.' A few years later after her step into the world of Paranormal Activity, she voiced the character of Abuelita in Disney Pixar's Coco. The movie became a box office success - raking in around $814.3 million globally on a budget between $175-$225 million. Back in March, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that a sequel to Coco is in the works and will hit theaters later in 2029. At the time, he simply stated: 'While the film is just in the initial stages, we know it will be full of humor, heart and adventure. And we can't wait to share more soon,' per Variety. Renee also appeared in the Snowpiercer series (2020-2021) as well as three episodes of Dead To Me. She played the character of Marta Delgado in the Amazon Prime Video series titled With Love (2021-2023). Victor's most recent credit had been her voice work as Khajiit in the video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered which was released last month in April; seen in 2024 in Pasadena Victor's most recent credit had been her voice work as Khajiit in the video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered which was released last month in April. During an interview with Clover Health in 2022, the actress opened up about acting and how it positively contributes to health - no matter someone's age. She explained to the outlet, 'It keeps everything sharp. 'Memorization, blocking, wardrobe, hair, makeup, and the process of getting into your character requires constant investigation and imagination, because the more you do with your character, the more you discover.'
