Elizabeth Pena, the "Modern Family" actress also known for her roles in movies like "La Bamba" and "Rush Hour," died from complications of years of alcohol abuse,
according to her death certificate obtained by TMZ.
The document said that Pena, 55, died from cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol, which she suffered from for several months before her death on October 14.
The death certificate indicated that, right before her death, she suffered from acute gastrointestinal bleeding, which caused her heart to stop working, according to TMZ.
Pena was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Cuban immigrant parents. Her father, a playwright, opened the Latin American Theatre Ensemble, which helped his daughter get an early start in the arts and she went on to graduate from the High School of
Performing Arts in 1977, according to the Latin Review.
Pena appeared in numerous movies, including "LaBamba," "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," "Batteries Not Included," "Blue Steel," "Rush Hour," "Jacob's Ladder," "The Incredibles," and the television series "I Married Dora."
She had a recurring role playing Sofia Vergara's character's mother Pilar on the ABC award-winning comedy "Modern Family."
Many shared tributes to the actress online.
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