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Elizabeth Pena died of complications from alcohol abuse

The actress was known for her roles in such films as "La Bamba" and "Jacob's Ladder."

By Annie Martin
Elizabeth Pena reportedly died of complications from alcohol abuse. (UPI/ Phil McCarten)
Elizabeth Pena reportedly died of complications from alcohol abuse. (UPI/ Phil McCarten) | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Elizabeth Peña reportedly died from the effects of alcohol abuse.

The actress died at age 55 last Tuesday in Los Angeles, and TMZ has since obtained her death certificate. The document states Peña had cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol, and died from a heart attack caused by acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Peña was known for her roles in La Bamba (1987), Jacob's Ladder (1990) and Rush Hour (1998), among others. The actress more recently portrayed Gloria Pritchett's (Sofía Vergara) mother, Pilar, on Modern Family, and Tony Bravo's (Gabriel Luna) mother, Maritza, on Matador.

Notable deaths of 2014

"She undoubtedly helped fuel my love of film," nephew and Mario-Francisco Robles wrote on the Latino Review. "Creating and performing art, transporting audiences to another place for a couple hours. She did it all, and she made it look fun. She made it look easy. But I knew it wasn't. I knew she had a drive like no other."

Peña is survived by her husband of 20 years, Hans Rolla, and their two children, Fiona and Kaelan.

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