Hollywood actress Renee Victor, the voice of Abuelita in Disney's Coco, passes away at 86

Renee was the oldest of three sisters and was born in San Antonio, Texas, on July 25, 1938.

American actress Renee Victor, widely recognized for lending her voice to the spirited Abuelita in Disney and Pixar’s Coco, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. The heartbreaking news of her demise was confirmed by her agency on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The cause of her death is lymphoma. Her daughters Raquel Victor and Margo Victor shared an official statement in a tribute to their late mother which read, “Renee is perhaps best known as the voice of ‘Abuelita’ in Disney’s 2017 blockbuster Coco. Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.”

Renee was the oldest of three sisters and was born in San Antonio, Texas, on July 25, 1938. Later, in the 1960s, she relocated to Los Angeles, where her career in show business started with music. Renee performed with Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado, two legendary figures in Latin music. She worked as a salsa and tango instructor during this time, which helped her discover her future spouse and stoke her passion for dancing.

Renee met her future husband in these artistic circles, and the two of them created the dynamic performing duo "Ray & Renee." The couple, known as the Latin Sonny & Cher, captivated audiences worldwide with their music and dance performances during their 1963–1973 international tour.

When Renee joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1973, it marked her official entry into the film and television industries. She started getting TV parts by the 1980s, including roles in shows like Mrs. King and Matlock and Scarecrow.

She later appeared in The Apostle and costarred with William Hurt in The Doctor. Renee also had the chance to perform in A Night in Old Mexico with her good friend Robert Duvall.

In her later years, she voiced characters in the 1992 Addams Family animated series and had recurring roles on Emergency Room. Snowpiercer, Gentefied, Dead to Me, Mayans M.C., Vida, All Rise, A Million Little Things, and With Love were among her other television credits.

Fans everywhere will cherish Renee Victor's legacy as a dynamic vocalist and performer.Renee Victor's filmography included prominent parts in The Doctor, in which she costarred with William Hurt, and A Night in Old Mexico, in which she costarred with her long-time friend Robert Duvall.