Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has paid tribute after the show’s creator, Silvio Horta, who has been found dead at the age of 45.
America – who played Betty Suarez in the hit US
comedy – paid tribute to the producer in an
Instagram post, saying she was “stunned and heartbroken” by the news.
On Tuesday, representatives for Silvio Horta confirmed that he had died, but did not provide any further information.The actress wrote shortly after the news broke: “I’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.” View this post on InstagramA post shared by America Ferrera (@americaferrera) on Jan 7, 2020 at 4:54pm PSTOther members of the cast, including Vanessa Williams and Michael Urie, have also been paying their respects on social media. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Vanessa Williams (@vanessawilliamsofficial) on Jan 7, 2020 at 5:06pm PSTI will be forever indebted to this sweet, brilliant man. 💔 https://t.co/M8MYuDle6I— Michael Urie (@michaelurie) January 8, 2020Silvio and I used to stay up late and laugh until our sides hurt—and complain to one another about life. He wrote the finest scenes, for all of us—crafted the most wonderfully flawed being I’ve ever had the privilege to embody. I’m empty right now... https://t.co/obZdfTwqHQ— Eric_Mabius (@Eric_Mabius) January 8, 2020 View this post on InstagramA post shared by Christopher Gorham (@chrisgorham) on Jan 7, 2020 at 5:27pm PSTMark Indelicato – the former child actor who played Betty’s nephew Justin Suarez – shared a post on his Instagram story about the “truly devastating news”.
He wrote: “Silvio gave me my start at 11 years old and trusted me with a character that was so close to his heart. He will be greatly missed by all.”Silvio was best known for his work on Ugly Betty, which was his adaptation of the popular Colombian series, Yo Soy Betta, La Fea.
He was also the executive producer and writer of the short-lived shows The Chronicle and Jake 2.0, the latter of which starred future Ugly Betty actor Christopher Gorham.