Silvio Horta, 45, the creator of Ugly Betty, has been found dead in an apparent suicide
Silvio Horta, the creator of Ugly Betty, has been found dead.
The 45-year-old was found dead in a Miami motel room on Tuesday in an apparent suicide, according to sources. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Variety reports.
Silvio was best known for his work as the creator of the popular ABC show, Ugly Betty, starring, America Ferrara. The successful show ran from 2006 to 2010 and ran for four seasons.
Silvio served as Ugly Betty’s show-runner and head writer.
Ugly Betty picked up two Golden Globes during its run, one for Best Comedy Series and the other for America, Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
Along with lead, America Ferrara, the series also saw Vanessa Williams, Eric Mabius, and Ana Ortiz star. Salma Hayek was one of the executive producers.
Winners! Silvio served as Ugly Betty’s show-runner and head writer. The show picked up two Golden Globes during its run, one for Best Comedy Series and the other for America, Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (pictured 2007 with the Ugly Betty cast)
‘I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death,’ Ferrara said in an Instagram tribute to Silvio on Tuesday.
‘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.’
Vanessa Williams took to her Instagram and shared a photo of her and Silvio in her tribute.
‘I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death,’ Ugly Betty star America Ferrara said in an Instagram tribute to Silvio on Tuesday
Vanessa Williams took to her Instagram and shared a photo of her and Silvio in her tribute
Christopher Gorham, who played one of Betty’s love interest on the show, added: ‘Silvio Horta gave me two of the greatest opportunities in my career with Jake 2.0 and Ugly Betty’
‘Silvio gave me my start at 11 years old and trusted me with a character that was so close to his heart,’ said Mark Indelicato, known for his role as Betty’s fashion savvy nephew. ‘He will be greatly missed by all’
‘His creativity and passion will be missed by so many of us that worked with him,’ she said.
Christopher Gorham, who played one of Betty’s love interest on the show, added: ‘Silvio Horta gave me two of the greatest opportunities in my career with Jake 2.0 and Ugly Betty.
‘I will be forever grateful for his creativity, his enormous heart, and his friendship. His family was his world and my heart goes out to them tonight. Let’s all take care of each other.’
‘Silvio gave me my start at 11 years old and trusted me with a character that was so close to his heart,’ said Mark Indelicato, known for his role as Betty’s fashion savvy nephew. ‘He will be greatly missed by all.’
Silvio got his big break in 2000 with his screenplay, Urban Legend. The mystery/slasher went on to make $72.5 million at the box office.
The writer and producer was found with a gunshot wound in his Miami motel room on Tuesday
In 2001 he created The Chronicle for the Syfy network. The series lasted for two seasons.
But it wasn’t until 2006’s Ugly Betty when his name really rose to fame.
In a 2008 interview, Silvio said that the success of Ugly Betty was not all that he thought it would be.
‘My first year doing this, people would constantly ask me, “Aren’t you happy? You must be thrilled. You’ve got a hit show. You must be having the time of your life.” Well, no, I’m not. It’s all consuming,’ he said.
‘I was so exhausted by the time I got home on Friday night, I was just paralyzed. I didn’t want to go out. I didn’t want to socialize and I had so much work to do. That was it. That was my life.’
Ugly Betty was an American comedy-drama about Betty Suarez, who despite her lack of style and physical appearance, lands a job at a prestigious high fashion magazine.
Favorite for all: Ugly Betty was a huge success – picking up 42 wins and 92 nominations at award ceremonies (pictured 2008)
And while Ugly Betty was a huge success – picking up 42 wins and 92 nominations, and he did develop multiple shows following 2010, nothing got to air.
The Cuban American, born in Miami, Florida, was openly gay and came out to his family as a teen at 19.
Silvio’s last social media post was on June 21, 2019, when he posed with a friend while at the ArcLight cinemas in Hollywood.
If you or anyone you know needs help call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1800-273-8255 for 24/7 assistance.
Silvio’s last social media post was on June 21, 2019, when he posed with a friend while at the ArcLight cinemas in Hollywood
