Renée Victor
Born: 1938-07-25 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
Died: 2025-05-30
Known For: Acting
Biography
Renée Victor (July 25, 1938 — May 30, 2025) was an American actress, dance instructor, and singer. She was best known for her role as Abuelita in the Disney•PIXAR film Coco (2017), the recurring role of Lupita on Weeds (2005–12), and the voice of female Argonians in Bethesda Softworks' video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). Victor was the eldest of three sisters. She moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where she launched her career in entertainment as a singer for prominent bandleaders who spearheaded the popularity of Latin music in the U.S., including Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado. At this time, she also served as a dance instructor, teaching salsa and tango. Having met her husband in these circles, she and her husband traveled globally to perform together under the banner “Ray & Renee” — nicknamed the Latin Sonny & Cher — from 1963 to 1973. In the 1970s, Victor hosted KTLA’s Pacesetters, which highlighted the Chicano Power movement. After joining the Screen Actors Guild in 1973, she eventually transitioned to television and film work in the ’80s, scoring appearances in series like Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1985) and Matlock (1987). Her film credits include The Doctor (1991), alongside William Hurt, as well as The Apostle (1997) and A Night in Old Mexico (2013), featuring close friend Robert Duvall.
Filmography
2024
- The Mealybug as Camila Delgado
2022
- Green Ghost and the Masters of the Stone as La Nana
2021
- Walker as Gloria
- With Love as Marta Delgado
- Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity as Self
2020
- Snowpiercer as Mama Grandé
- In Other Words
2019
- All Rise as Lupita
- Dead to Me as Flo Gutierrez
- Victor and Valentino as Delores (voice)
- Undone as Abuelita Fabiola
2018
- A Million Little Things as Inez
- Mayans M.C.
- SuperFly as Esmeralda Gonzalez
2017
- Coco as Abuelita (voice)
- That Motherf**ker
2014
- Saint George
- Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones as Irma Arista
2013
- Witches of East End as Alma
- A Night in Old Mexico as Josefina Nelly
2009
- Confessions of a Shopaholic as Bag Lady
- Stuntmen as Juanita Villareal
2008
- Childrens Hospital as Gladys
2007
2006
- All You've Got as Grandmother Rosa
2005
- Weeds as Lupita
2003
- Mister Sterling as Gloria Lopez
2000
- Strong Medicine as Isabel Santana
1999
- Futurama as Pottery Bot / Abuelatron (voice)
- My Brother the Pig as Grandma Berta
1998
- The Prophecy II as Nana
- The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit as Grandmother
1997
- The Tony Danza Show as Lydia Cruz
- The Apostle as Latin Translator
1996
- Men Behaving Badly as Estelle
1995
- The Parent 'Hood
- The Neon Bible ... (Choreographer)
1994
- ER as Florina Lopez
1992
1991
- The Doctor as Lucy
- Dolly Dearest as Nun at the Convent
1989
- Blood Screams as The Witch (English-language version only)
- The Flight as Maria
1986
- Matlock as Maid