Meet the Voices Behind the Animated Characters

Publish date: 2024-05-09

Following his solo directorial debut (Toy Story 3), Pixar veteran Lee Unkrich brings Coco to the big screen this fall. With an exclusively Latino cast, Coco incorporates themes from the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos.

The animated adventure follows Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), an aspiring musician born into a family with a longtime ban on music. When Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead, he encounters Hector (Gael García Bernal), a trickster who joins Miguel on his journey to unveil the truth behind his family history and return home.

Coco hits theaters Nov. 22. Read on to find out more about the performers below.

Anthony Gonzalez
At just 12 years old, Anthony Gonzalez stars as the film's protagonist, Miguel, a young boy with a dream of becoming a musician. On his journey through the bright and colorful Land of the Dead, Miguel, accompanied by his dog Dante, encounters a vast world of music he has never known. Along the way, he meets his musical idol, the late Ernesto de la Cruz, as well as many of his ancestors. Before Coco, Gonazlez appeared in a variety of dramatic short films, such as Imagination of Young and Icebox. The young actor also appeared in an episode of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
Gael García Bernal
Gael García Bernal plays the charming Hector, an inhabitant of the Land of the Dead who needs Miguel's help in order to visit the Land of the Living. Known for his role as Rodrigo in Amazon's Mozart in the Jungle, Bernal won the Golden Globe for best actor in a television series, musical or comedy, for his performance in 2016. The Mexico-born actor is set to star as Zorro in Jonas Cuaron's reboot Z, and will also appear in the upcoming crime drama Museo to be released in 2018.
Benjamin Bratt
Emmy-nominated actor Benjamin Bratt lends his voice to play musical sensation Ernesto de la Cruz, who Miguel encounters in the Land of the Dead. Bratt is known for his roles as Detective Rey Curtis on NBC's Law & Order and Dr. Jake Reilly on ABC medical drama Private Practice. This isn't Bratt's first go-around in voice acting, as the star has also voiced roles in animated films such as Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Despicable Me 2.
Edward James Olmos
Known for his roles as Lieutenant Martin Castillo on Miami Vice and William Amada on Battlestar Galactica, Edward James Olmos stars as Chicharron, a friend of Hector's who is slowly being forgotten in the Land of the Dead. Olmos is set to appear in The Predator, the sequel to the 1987 sci-fi film Predator, in 2018 alongside Olivia Munn and Keegan-Michael Key.
Ana Ofelia Murguía
Playing the title character, Mamá Coco, is 83-year-old actress Ana Ofelia Murguía. Mamá Coco is Miguel's beloved great-grandmother. Murguía has appeared in films such as Bandidas and Written on the Body of Night, and recently appeared in an episode of Mozart in the Jungle as Nana Graciela.
Renée Victor
Most well-known for her role as Lupita on Showtime's hit comedy Weeds, Renée Victor plays Abuelita, Miguel's fierce but loving grandmother who strictly enforces the family's ban on music. Victor is set to appear in upcoming short film Unspeakable later this year.
Jaime Camil
Taking on the role of Miguel's father, Papá, is CW's Jane the Virgin star Jaime Camil. Despite his son's desire to become a musician, Papá hopes for Miguel to one day join the family shoemaking business. Camil recently appeared in the Hollywood Bowl's live production of Mamma Mia! as Sam Carmichael. The actor also previously worked as a voice actor playing Fernando in Universal Pictures' Secret Life of Pets.
Sofía Espinosa
Sofía Espinosa voices Mamá, Miguel's gentle and loving mother. Espinosa won an Ariel Award for best actress for her lead performance in Gloria, a biopic following the life of Mexican singer-songwriter Gloria Trevi. The Ariel Awards are considered to be Mexico's equivalent to the United States' Academy Awards.
Luis Valdez
Regarded as the father of Chicano theater, Luis Valdez voices Tío Berto, Miguel's uncle who works alongside his brother in the family shoemaking business. Valdez is known for his directorial achievements in Broadway play Zoot Suit and the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba. In 1965, the playwright also founded El Teatro Campesino, a Latino theatrical troupe developed from Cesar Chavez's United Farmworkers Union.
Lombardo Boyar
Comedian and actor Lombardo Boyar brings the character of Mariachi to life in Coco. Boyar previously voiced Raul in Warner Bros.' animated films Happy Feet and Happy Feet 2. He is set to appear in upcoming drama Time in Between alongside Emilio Rivera later this year.
Gabriel Iglesias
Gabriel Iglesias lends his voice to the Land of the Dead's Head Clerk, who runs the Department of Family Reunions. The accomplished comedian, sometimes known as "Fluffy" in his stand-up work, is no stranger to the world of voice acting, having appeared in films such as The Nut Job (and its sequel), Planes and Smurfs: The Lost Village. Iglesias is also set to star in upcoming animated films The Star, Show Dogs, Ferdinand and Blazing Samurai.
Cheech Marin
Famously known as one-half of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong, Cheech Marin is an accomplished stand-up comedian and voice actor. Marin has appeared in several animated films, including The Lion King, Oliver & Company and all three installments of Pixar's Cars franchise. In Coco, the actor portrays a corrections officer in the Land of the Dead.
Alanna Ubach
Currently starring in Bravo's Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce, Alanna Ubach has gathered an extensive resumé of film and television credits, appearing in more than 100 projects throughout her career. In Coco, Ubach plays Mamá Imelda, Miguel's great-great-grandmother and founder of the family business. When Miguel meets his ancestor in the Land of the Dead, he discovers that the family matriarch does not share his passion for music.
Herbert Siguenza
Playing the twin skeletons of Miguel's Tío Oscar & Tío Felipe is Herbert SIguenza. Siguenza is a founding member of Culture Clash, a Latino theatre troupe known for its work in comedy and satire. The troupe is comprised of Siguenza alongside Richard Montoya and Ric Salinas.
Selene Luna
From My Bloody Valentine and Celebrity Wife Swap, Selene Luna plays Tía Rosita, Miguel's deceased aunt. Luna also is known for her appearances on Margaret Cho's reality TV show, The Cho Show.
Alfonso Arau
Mexican director and actor Alfonso Arau plays Papá Julio, Miguel's great-grandfather who resides in the Land of the Dead. Arau has directed films such as A Walk In the Clouds with Keanu Reeves and Picking Up the Pieces with Woody Allen. In 2018, he is set to star in Mexican comedy film Malacopa.