Elizabeth Peña, ‘La Bamba’ Actress, Dead at 55

Other notable credits include playing Sofia Vergara’s mother on “Modern Family” and films such as “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Rush Hour”

SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actress Eizabeth Pena arrives at the 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards in a tent on the beach on February 26, 2005 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Prolific actress Elizabeth Peña, whose acting career spanned nearly 40 years, has died at age 55.

Peña died Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, her nephew Mario-Francisco Robles told the Latino Review. Her cause of death was not immediately available.

Also read: Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2014 (Photos)

Peña was raised by Cuban immigrant parents in her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey. She started in theater and debuted in her first film in 1978  — director León Ichaso’s “El Super.” Most recently, she wrapped up filming seven episodes of El Rey Network’s “Matador.”

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, Elizabeth Peña,” the El Rey Network said in a statement Wednesday.

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