The West Side Story actor has paid a touching tribute to her "favourite person, biggest fan and toughest critic" after Gina DeBose died on Sunday at age 57 following a three-year battle with cancer.
The Academy Award winner wrote on Instagram: "At 10:28 am on August 17th my gorgeous, hilarious, outspoken, warrior queen Mother - Gina Michelle DeBose - passed away due to complications with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I couldn't be more proud of her and how she fought this insidious disease over the past 3 years. She was 57 years young.
"She was my favorite person, my biggest fan and toughest critic. My best friend. She was my date to every important moment in my professional and personal life - and I wouldn't have it any other way. It had always been the two of us for as long as I can remember.
"Through lean times, and there were many of those + green times. She fought like hell to give me a good life, a good education and every opportunity in the world. I wouldn't be where I am without her. I meant it when I said my Oscar "is just as much hers as it is mine."
The 34-year-old, who won an best supporting actress Oscar for her role in 2021's West Side Story, praised her mother for her years of being a dedicated teacher and reflected on how many lives she had touched outside of her own family.
"She passed just shy of delivering 30 years of service as a public school teacher (most currently 8th grade social studies). And, my god, did she thrive in a classroom. Her creativity knew no bounds. She was beloved and incredibly respected by her colleagues and students alike."
13°C