Actress Elizabeth Peña died partly because of alcohol abuse , according to her death certificate , obtained by CNN . The certificate states `` cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol '' as one of the causes of her death . The document also lists cardiopulmonary arrest , cardiogenic shock and acute gastrointestinal bleeding as the other causes . The 55-year-old actress ' death shocked Hollywood and Peña 's fans . She died October 14 in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles . In a report released earlier this year , the CDC says one in 10 deaths among adults between age 20 and 64 is due to excessive alcohol consumption . Peña is known for her recurring guest role as the mother of a character played by Sofia Vergara in the ABC sitcom `` Modern Family . '' She also starred in films such as `` Down and Out in Beverly Hills , '' `` La Bamba , '' `` Rush Hour , '' and `` The Incredibles . '' Her career spanned more than three decades . Peña was born in Elizabeth , New Jersey , to parents who were from Cuba , and she graduated from New York 's High School of Performing Arts in 1977 . She is survived by her husband , two children , mother and sister .
Alcoholism was a cause in Peña death , according to death certificate . 55-year-old actress died October 14 in Los Angeles . Peña known for roles in film and television , including `` Modern Family '' Cardiopulmonary arrest and acute gastrointestinal bleeding also caused her death .