Actress Elizabeth Pena, whose career has spanned for almost 40 years, has passed away at the age of 55. Her manager Gina Rugolo confirmed the news, saying that the star had succumbed to a brief illness on October 14 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Details surrounding her death or the said illness have yet to be disclosed.

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Pena's nephew, Latin Review writer Mario-Francisco Robles, was the first to announce the tragic news on his publication's website.

"The actress, with a professional career spanning nearly 40 years, left us on the night of October 14 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles," Robles wrote.

Aside from the obituary Robles shared, her aunt was more than just a familiar face on the big screen and on television, she was their family's star. He shared that they were with her all the way - celebrating her triumphs, as well as sweating through her struggles.

The writer shared that although they didn't talk all the time, they were family and, they knew they could always count on her and she knew she could always depend on them.

After news broke of her death, her fellow actors took to social media to express their sorrow and shock over her loss.

Fellow Latin actress Zoe Saldana posted, ""My heart is broken!!! My prayers are with you and your family. We will miss you #ElizabethPeña -ZS"

Martha Plimpton also shared her feelings about her friend, stating, "Elizabeth Peña was wonderful in everything she did. She shone so bright. An incredibly gifted actress. I loved her. Rest in Peace."

Pena's films include "Lone Star", "La Bamba", "Rush Hour" and "The Incredibles".

Recently, she guested on the hit comedy series "Modern Family", playing the role of Sofia Vergara's mother.

The acclaimed actress is survived by her husband and two teenage children.