Renée Victor
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.
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Movies (23)
The Mealybug
2024 · Camila Delgado
This One Is for the Neighborhood
2023
El fantasma verde y los maestros de la piedra
2022 · La Nana
Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity
2021 · Self
In Other Words
2020 · Regina Aragon
El Supremo
2018 · Esmeralda Gonzalez
Coco
2017 · Abuelita (voice)
That Motherf**ker
2017 · Writer
Actividad Paranormal: Los marcados
2014 · Irma Arista
A Night in Old Mexico
2013 · Josefina Nelly
Stuntmen
2009 · Juanita Villareal
Loca por las compras
2009 · Bag Lady
All You've Got
2006 · Grandmother Rosa
Never Trust a Serial Killer
2002 · Lupe
My Brother the Pig
1999 · Grandma Berta
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
1998 · Grandmother
The Prophecy II
1998 · Nana
The Apostle
1997 · Latin Translator
The Neon Bible
1995 · Choreographer
Dolly Dearest
1991 · Nun at the Convent
The Doctor
1991 · Lucy
The Flight
1989 · Maria
Blood Screams
1989 · The Witch (English-language version only)
TV shows (23)
Con amor
2021 · Marta Delgado
Walker
2021 · Gloria
Snowpiercer
2020 · Mama Grandé
All Rise
2019 · Lupita
Undone
2019 · Abuelita Fabiola
Muertos para mí
2019 · Flo Gutierrez
Victor y Valentino
2019 · Delores (voice)
Un Millón de Pequeñas Cosas
2018 · Inez
Mayans M.C.
2018 · Sister Teresa, Nun
Saint George
2014
Las brujas de East End
2013 · Alma
Hospital Infantil
2008 · Gladys
Club contra el crimen
2007
Weeds
2005 · Lupita
Mister Sterling
2003 · Gloria Lopez
Strong Medicine
2000 · Isabel Santana
Futurama
1999 · Pottery Bot / Abuelatron (voice), Abuelatron (voice), In Memory Of
The Tony Danza Show
1997 · Lydia Cruz
Men Behaving Badly
1996 · Estelle
The Parent 'Hood
1995
ER
1994 · Florina Lopez
Bob
1992
Matlock
1986 · Maid