Another Hollywood star has gone too soon. Elizabeth Peña, 55-year-old actress of "La Bamba" and "Lone Star" has died Tuesday at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The news was reported by a Latino Review post written by her nephew, Mario-Francisco Robles. However, the actress' cause of death was not elaborated.
At a very young age, Elizabeth Peña has been deemed to become an actress. Her love for the arts has come naturally. Her professional acting career has spanned for nearly four decades. Films such as "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," "La Bamba," "Free Willy 2," "Rush Hour," and "The Incredibles" have highlighted the career of the prolific Hispanic actress. According to CNN, Peña has died of natural causes after a brief illness.
Aside from acting, Elizabeth Peña also attempted directing. She joined Director's Guild of America and become the fourth Latina member of the group. Among her several roles, she is recognized for appearing as the mother of Sofia Vergara's role in a sitcom "Modern Family" aired on ABC. She also recently appeared in the television drama "Matador." Her sudden death has caused utmost sadness in the industry.
According to Washington Post, Elizabeth Peña developed a fondness for radiating a modest, smart sensuality with ease. Though hardly a leading lady, she brought charm to all of her roles. RogertEbert.com Editor-in-Chief Matt Zoller Seitz posted on social media site Twitter about Peña's death. He said the news of the actress' death hits particularly hard. He added that Elizabeth Pena was constantly outstanding in everything she did.
Elizabeth Pena's nephew Mario-Francisco Robles shared the news of her death in the Latino Review Web site. He wrote an obituary but no cause of death was immediately available. Robles also wrote his personal take on the death of her aunt while honoring her works and career.
"She was our star. She was my star. We celebrated her triumphs. We sweated through her struggles. As a family, even when we didn't always talk, we would all do whatever we could for one another," he wrote.
Robles also opened up about the time when he got married that even with some logistic difficulties, her aunt, Elizabeth Peña along with her family flew to attend his special night in Hudson River Valley in New York.
"Dancing with her, my uncle, and my cousins under the stars that night is a memory I've always cherished, and it's now one that I'll have to hold onto for the rest of my life," Robles shared.
Robles also revealed Elizabeth Peña was an inspiration and a role model. According to him, she helped spark his love for film. Her aunt fueled his desire to be an actor, writer and director. And her death caused the entire family to be heartbroken.
"I know she had a drive like no other, and that she was a force to be reckoned with when she decided it was time to make it big or...well, nothing," he said. "She never considered an alternative. Her singular focus was breathtaking, and awe-inspiring."
Robles also stated that Elizabeth Peña's death caused an emptiness that will never be filled. He added that all they can do now is to remember the actress' sharp wittiness, her unending hunger for life and her boundless quest of happiness.
"You were a great mother, wife, daughter, sister, and cousin. But you'll always be my Ñaña, #1 in a category all your own," her nephew's ending words on his emotionally-written obituary.
Several Hollywood stars have also expressed their feelings regarding Elizabeth Peña's death. Actors Lou Diamond Phillips and Eva Longoria have also posted on Twitter. Her friends and colleagues expressed shock and grief. They also paid tribute to the actress on social media Wednesday night.
Elizabeth Peña is undeniably one of the greatest Hollywood actors that the industry has lost this 2014. She died at the age of 55. She is survived by her husband Hans, her two teenage children Fiona and Kaelan, her mother Estela and her sister, Tania.
Before her death, Elizabeth Peña went to play a wide range of roles that were far from usual. Her characters felt exciting and fizzed with humanity. And her limitless contributions to the industry will be greatly remembered.
