Stars ‘stunned’ after death of Ugly Betty creator at 45
Tributes are being paid to Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta following his death at the age of 45.
Star of the popular TV comedy-drama America Ferrera said she was “stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news” in a post on Instagram alongside a picture tribute.
US media has reported that Horta was found dead in a motel room in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, in an apparent suicide.
View this post on InstagramI’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death. His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy & light. I’m thinking of his family and loved ones who must be in so much pain right now- and of the whole Ugly Betty family who feel this loss so deeply.
A post shared by America Ferrera (@americaferrera) on Jan 7, 2020 at 4:54pm PST
Variety reported unverified sources saying the TV producer and writer died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both Variety and Deadline said his agent had confirmed his death, but declined to comment any further.
Ugly Betty, an adaptation of the Colombian series Yo Soy Betty, La Fea, told the story of unlikely fashion intern Betty Suarez.
It had Salma Hayek among its executive producers, and won Golden Globe and Emmy awards during its four series from 2006 to 2010.
“I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death,” Ferrera wrote in her tribute.
“His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy & light. I’m thinking of his family and loved ones who must be in so much pain right now- and of the whole Ugly Betty family who feel this loss so deeply.”
Other stars of the show have also paid tribute on social media.
Vanessa Williams, who played company boss Wilhelmina Slater, wrote: “Still in shock after hearing the tragic news of our #uglybetty creator #silviohorta 💔 His creativity and passion will be missed by so many of us that worked with him. May he Rest In Peace.”
View this post on InstagramStill in shock after hearing the tragic news of our #uglybetty creator #silviohorta 💔 His creativity and passion will be missed by so many of us that worked with him. May he Rest In Peace
A post shared by Vanessa Williams (@vanessawilliamsofficial) on Jan 7, 2020 at 5:06pm PST
View this post on Instagram#SilvioHorta gave me a huge break on #UglyBetty. He broke barriers and saved lives. Losing him is hard. This photo is from the GLAAD awards when we won. I hear from LGBTQ people all the time that the show helped them. Me too. He and that show will always be with me.
A post shared by Michael Urie (@michaelurielikesit) on Jan 7, 2020 at 7:47pm PST
Michael Urie, who played Slater’s assistant Marc St James, said Horta had given him a “huge break” on Ugly Betty.
“He broke barriers and saved lives. Losing him is hard. This photo is from the GLAAD awards when we won. I hear from LGBTQ people all the time that the show helped them. Me too. He and that show will always be with me.”
Horta, who was born in Miami and of Cuban-American descent, got his big break writing the film Urban Legend, starring Jared Leto, Joshua Jackson and Tara Reid, in 1998.
He also created two sci-fi shows, The Chronicle and Jake 2.0, before Ugly Betty.
His last TV credit was for The Curse Of The Fuentes Women in 2015, but he had a project with singer and actress Mary J Blige announced in 2018, inspired by the life of a choreographer who created routines for the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Missy Elliott, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj.
