The cause of 55-year-old Elizabeth Peña's death last week has been revealed by officials.

The actress, best known for her roles in the movies "La Bamba" and "Rush Hour," died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 14 after suffering cardiac arrest resulting from alcohol abuse, reports NBC News.

Us Weekly reports that cardiogenic shock, acute gastrointestinal bleeding and cirrhosis of the liver were also factors in her death.

The Cuban-American actress's TV appearances included "L.A. Law" and as guest star on the hit television show "Modern Family" as the mother of actress Sofia Vergara's character Gloria Delgado-Pritchett.

Peña most recently appeared on the first season of the action drama "Matador" on the El Rey Network where she starred as Maritza Sandoval, mother to Tony, Ricky, and Cristina.

During her career, which spanned four decades, Peña appeared in a number of memorable movies:

  • Her 1979 film debut was in the independent Spanish-speaking film "El Super."
  • The 1987 biographical film "La Bamba" was about the life and career of Chicano rock 'n' roll star Ritchie Valens.
  • The 1990 movie "Jacob's Ladder" was a psychological horror drama.
  • She appeared in the 1996 crime drama "Lone Star."
  • The 1998 action comedy "Rush Hour" featured the late actress alongside Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.
  • in the 2004 Pixar animated film "The Incredibles," Peña was the voice behind the sinister and seductive Mirage.

Peña's experience wasn't strictly as an actress. She also directed an episode of the 2000-2002 boxing drama "Resurrection Boulevard," which aired on Showtime. She also starred in 21 episodes.

Stars who worked with the actress have expressed their condolences on Twitter, including "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria who tweeted, "Rest in Peace Elizabeth Peña...you paved the way for so many of us!"

Peña was born in New Jersey and raised in New York by parents who opened off-Broadway's "Latin American Theatre Ensemble." Her father was an acclaimed novelist, playwright, actor and director. She loved the arts from an early age. She attended New York's High School of the Performing Arts and began her career with repertory theatre work and appearing in television commercials.

The actress is survived by her husband of 20 years, Hans Rolla, and two teenage children, Kaelan and Fiona, along with her sister, Tania, and mother, Estela.

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