Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta, 45, found dead in apparent suicide

Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta, 45, found dead in apparent suicide

Silvio Horta
Silvio Horta (Photo: @silvioh | Instagram)

Tributes have been paid following news of the death of Silvio Horta, 45, the creator of the hit US TV show Ugly Betty.

Horta’s body was found yesterday in a hotel room in Miami. There are unsubstantiated reports that he died by suicide.

Horta was showrunner and head writer of Ugly Betty, which ran for four seasons from 2006-2010. The show was adapted from the Colombian show Yo soy Betty, la fea.

A Cuban American, Horta was born in Miami. He came out to his family as gay at 19.

Before Ugly Betty, he wrote the 1998 teen slasher Urban Legend, and two short-lived series, Jake2.0 and The Chronicle.

His most recent credit was writing the 2015 TV movie, The Curse of the Fuentes Women. According to Variety, in 2018 Horta had a project with Mary J. Blige in development with Fox, based on the life of choreographer Laurieann Gibson.

Related: Michael Urie says hiring gay actors to play straight is a “big risk,” endorses Hollywood’s glass closets

Ugly Betty star America Ferrara wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Ugly Betty co-star Vanessa Williams wrote: “Still in shock after hearing the tragic news of our Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta.

“His creativity and passion will be missed by so many of us that worked with him. May he Rest In Peace.”

Michael Urie, who played Marc St James on the show, tweeted: “I will be forever indebted to this sweet, brilliant man.”

On an Instagram posting, Urie went further, saying: “#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.”

Oscar-winning screenwriter and producer Dustin Lance Black tweeted: “Waking up in the UK to the heartbreaking news that my wonderful, sparkling, talented old pal of nearly 20 years is gone. You never failed to put a sh*t eating grin on my face, Silvio Horta. Rest in joy and peace. You were one of a kind.”

Waking up in the UK to the heartbreaking news that my wonderful, sparkling, talented old pal of nearly 20 years is gone. You never failed to put a sh*t eating grin on my face, Silvio Horta. Rest in joy and peace. You were one of a kind. ? t.co/OYi2qFlwvi

— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) January 8, 2020

If you are thinking about suicide or are feeling alone and need someone to talk to, please call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 

www.queerty.com/ugly-betty-creator-silvio-horta-45-found-dead-apparent-suicide-20200108?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

‘Ugly Betty’ Creator Silvio Horta Found Dead in Apparent Suicide at 45

‘Ugly Betty’ Creator Silvio Horta Found Dead in Apparent Suicide at 45

Silvio Horta / YouTube

Silvio Horta, creator of the ABC sitcom Ugly Betty, has been found dead in an apparent suicide. He was 45. Horta’s body was discovered in a Miami motel room on Tuesday.

Variety reports: “Sources tell Variety that Horta died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A representative for Horta confirmed his death, but declined to comment on the nature of it. The American version of ‘Ugly Betty,’ which starred America Ferrera, ran for four seasons on ABC from 2006 to 2010 and was adapted from the hit Colombian telenovela ‘Yo soy Betty, la fea.’ Horta served as showrunner and head writer on the comedy-drama.”

Added TVLine: “Horta also created the UPN sci-fi series Jake 2.0, starring future Ugly Betty cast member Christopher Gorham, and wrote for Sci-Fi’s The Chronicle. Plus, he wrote the screenplay for the 1998 horror film Urban Legend along with its 2000 sequel Urban Legend: Final Cut.”

Stars of Ugly Betty and Jake 2.0 posted tributes to Horta on social media:

View this post on Instagram

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

A post shared by Vanessa Williams (@vanessawilliamsofficial) on

No. This is horrible, horrible news. Silvio was the sweetest guy. So talented and exciting to work with. Our collaboration on the pilot of “Ugly Betty” was one of the most terrific experiences. Devastating. Ugly Betty’ Creator Dies in Suicide – Variety t.co/OjwDrKjZpm

— Richard Shepard (@SaltyShep) January 8, 2020

If you are thinking about suicide or are feeling alone and need someone to talk to, please call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386 for immediate help. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. Also, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org. You can also text TALK to 741741 for free, anonymous, 24/7 crisis support in the US from the Crisis Text Line.

The post ‘Ugly Betty’ Creator Silvio Horta Found Dead in Apparent Suicide at 45 appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


‘Ugly Betty’ Creator Silvio Horta Found Dead in Apparent Suicide at 45